Response to the U of M Response

The University of Memphis’ Response to the NCAA

A couple of notes before I begin:

• I’m not at all familiar with the NCAA bylaws or rules concerning “student-athletes.”
• I did not read the entire 500-page document. I read the 63-page version on gotigersgo.com.

I thought Memphis did reasonably well for themselves. There obviously was a detailed investigation that began as early as October 2007. The University did look into Rose’s transcripts and tried to determine whether it could be proven that Rose had someone else take a standardized test for him. They did an excellent job of defending the University of Memphis, its coaching staff (Calipari included), and Derrick Rose. They did not, however, find out what really happened and they did not aggressively defend their record 38-win season.

In short, the Inspector General (presumably for Rose’s school district) brought questions regarding Derrick Rose’s transcript to the university in October of 2007. At that time, there was only one grade for one class of one semester in doubt. It was finally determined that it was altered; however, Rose, the university, and its coaching staff were not involved and had no knowledge of it. In fact, had the grade not been changed, Rose would still have been accepted to the U of M and been eligible for NCAA sports. Once settled, the university provided the NCAA with a letter and an updated transcript explaining the situation.

In the university’s investigation, the Inspector General mentioned a rumor that someone else may have taken an ACT (not SAT) exam for Rose. In an interview with the Inspector General, the source of this “rumor” denied any foul play with the Rose test scores. Memphis did look into the test scores at this time, but “found insufficient evidence to conclude that [redacted] did not take the SAT test” (University of Memphis Response, IN-4). Six and a half months later, the university received an email informing them that the SAT score had been invalidated.

Fast forward to today, and I don’t think you can be proud of the university’s defense. It’s my understanding that the only thing on the line here is a record setting 38-win season. There are no implications of lost scholarships, TV penalties, postseason bans, or anything like that. Hell, not even Rose himself will be at this meeting, much less worry about it! But that record setting season isn’t even mentioned in a 500 PAGE document (or at least the 63 pages I saw).

Here’s how Memphis determined that Rose must have taken his own tests: “[redacted] described the various times he took either the ACT or the SAT, and what he did to prepare. The University also attempted to obtain materials from the testing services, but was unable to do so.” (University of Memphis Response, 5-2)

That’s it!! Case closed! We didn’t know about it, so it couldn’t have happened! No worries!

The NCAA obviously obtained materials from the testing services because they had a forensic document examiner analyze them. Did Memphis ask for those materials? Did Memphis retain its own document examiner with a small portion of the $33 million dollars they raised after the 2007-2008 season? Well, they did note that the NCAA forensic examiner only said that Rose “probably” didn’t write the tested writing sample himself. Oh, only probably!?!? Well, everything must be fine then.

The SAT test was invalidated because Rose never responded to letters from the Educational Testing Services that were sent to his Chicago address. These letters were mailed while Rose and most of his family were busy following a little known basketball tournament called the Final Four.

So let me get this straight, Rose misses a deadline, we get a “probably” from a forensic examiner, and that puts the greatest record in Memphis sports history in jeopardy!?!? And now, interviewing Derrick Rose and his mom is the best defense we’ve got!?

In sum, yes, the University of Memphis did a good job covering for themselves, their coaches, and their players. Will there be any penalties in the future? No. Will we miss out on any recruits? Not likely. But there was only one thing at stake here -- an unforgettable and record-setting season. Our best defense was “cause Derrick Rose said so.” Ask yourself, did you get your money’s worth or did RC Johnson sneak out the backdoor leaving us with the bill?