MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)—The University of Memphis is responding to NCAA allegations that the men’s basketball program committed major violations during the 2007-08 season under John Calipari, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
The allegations include “knowing fraudulence or misconduct” on an SAT exam by a player on that season’s team, which finished runner-up in the NCAA tournament, The Commercial Appeal in Memphis reported on its Web site. The university received the notice on Jan. 16.
Lamar Chance, spokesman for the basketball program, declined comment Wednesday night when contacted by The Associated Press.
Kentucky, where Calipari became coach on March 31, said Calipari “was forthcoming with the University of Kentucky during the hiring process about any issues under investigation at the University of Memphis at that time.”
In a statement late Wednesday, Kentucky said Calipari had received a letter from the NCAA saying he was not at risk of being charged with any NCAA violations in the case.
Calipari said in the statement that he would fully cooperate with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions hearing on June 6 and had no further comment.
Because of privacy laws, the player’s name was redacted in the report, which was obtained by the newspaper through the Freedom of Information Act.
Calipari is not named in the report, the newspaper said.
The NCAA also alleged Memphis provided $2,260 in free travel to road games for an associate of a player. Those names also were redacted in the report due to privacy laws, the paper reported.
“We take it very seriously. We don’t condone it,” athletic director R.C. Johnson told the paper.
He declined to comment in detail about the allegations. “We’re doing a thorough investigation.”
Johnson said the university is still working on its response to the NCAA.
Calls by The Associated Press to former Memphis assistant coaches Orlando Antigua and John Robic, both of whom went to Kentucky with Calipari, were not immediately returned.
Report: NCAA accuses Memphis Tigers of violations - College Basketball - Rivals.com