University of Tennessee Athletics
NCAA Clears Tennessee of Further Inquiries Into Football Program
January 08, 2003 | Football
Jan. 8, 2003
Press Conference Video
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The NCAA enforcement staff informed the University of Tennessee Wednesday that it will not conduct any further inquires concerning football compliance issues that have been under investigation the last two years. UT learned of the NCAA's decision via a letter delivered to Doug Dickey today.
"That is the good for us," Dickey said. "We do not have violations for the institution or any of its representatives that were involved with this. We will now move on with our program with a good, sound understanding that the process that we went through over a two-year period of time has been valid."
The NCAA letter stated "the various matters that were looked into do not appear to be either substantiated by the evidence as NCAA violations or do not constitute NCAA violations as related to the university." UT, along with the NCAA and the SEC, has been investigation issue regarding former student-athletes Eric Locke and Tee Martin.
"You try to educate people as much as you can," Dickey said. "It's an ongoing process everyday. It takes a lot of effort by assistant coaches, head coaches and the compliance staff."
STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT JOHN W. SHUMAKER
"The University of Tennessee cooperated fully with the NCAA in its investigation of the allegations surrounding Tee Martin. While we regret the investigation raised questions about whether Mr. Martin violated the NCAA's regulations on amateurism, we are pleased the NCAA did not find any problems associated with Tennessee's handling of the situation. The University of Tennessee has not had a major infractions case in more than a decade, and we expect to continue this record."
STATEMENT FROM DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS DOUG DICKEY
"I am pleased for the University of Tennessee that as a result of NCAA findings, there is no further action necessary regarding these issues. We continue to have confidence in our policies and procedures for dealing with NCAA and SEC compliance concerns."
STATEMENT FROM HEAD COACH PHILLIP FULMER
"I'm certainly glad it's over. I appreciate everyone's involvement - their diligence and their patience. I'm delighted our program again has validated itself from a credibility standpoint. We will continue to do the things necessary to make sure we follow the rules and regulations of the NCAA and SEC, of which we are members."
