JimD said:
So, we have the AD directly involved in meetings that led to the questionable efforts to restore Fab Melo's eligibility. I have to think that Gross is going to take the fall for this.
I'd take it with a grain of salt,but Gross "embraced" opportunity to serve in a new capacity.
March 18, 2015
Dear Members of the University Community:
As I wrote
to you in early March, the NCAA Committee on Infractions
issued a report on March 6 finding that various violations
of NCAA rules occurred at Syracuse University. We take the
report and the violations it identifies very seriously,
particularly those that involve academic integrity and the
overall well-being of student-athletes. Some of these issues
have already been addressed by changes made years ago, but
we are working to do even more. This was the topic of
conversation at a special meeting with faculty leaders held
on Monday.
Today, I want to provide you an update on the
University’s plans moving forward.
The University does not agree with all of the conclusions
reached by the Committee on Infractions and does not agree
that the full set of penalties imposed by the Committee are
appropriate or equitable. We remain disturbed by the
severity of certain penalties and the characterization by
the NCAA of certain facts surrounding the case. After a full
discussion with the Board of Trustees Athletics Committee,
the University accepts some of the penalties imposed by the
Committee, but will appeal the vacation of certain wins for
the men’s basketball program and the reduction in
men’s basketball scholarships.
The decision to appeal is not taken lightly. However, based
on the facts and a review of previous NCAA infractions
decisions, the University believes the impact of these
specific penalties is excessive and disproportionate. The
University also will support Coach Boeheim should he choose
to appeal penalties that affect him personally.
As we work hard to make sure these past mistakes never
happen again, it is also an opportunity to look toward the
future. In recent weeks, I have had discussions with
Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross and Head Coach Jim
Boeheim about the best way to move forward.
Dr. Gross cares deeply about our University, our
students-athletes, and the Athletics Department. Under his
leadership, Syracuse Athletics has had strong and broad
success. He led the University into the ACC, a stellar
conference renowned for both its athletics competition and
academic success. He hired an outstanding set of coaches,
increased Athletics’ fundraising to its highest
levels, and invested in an exceptional array of new
student-athlete facilities. His branding efforts were an
important component of the invitation to join the ACC and
have raised the University’s profile in New York City
and other key national regions. Overall, under his
leadership, thousands of student-athletes have succeeded in
competition, in the classroom, and in the world as proud
Syracuse alumni.
As part of my discussions with him, Dr. Gross has asked
to conclude his tenure as Director of Athletics and
transition to a new role at the University that can benefit
from his background and experience in the areas of marketing
and advancement. He believes this transition will allow SU
Athletics to move forward and position itself for continued
future success. Effective today, Dr. Gross will serve as
Vice President and Special Assistant to the Chancellor, and
adjunct professor in the David B. Falk College of Sport and
Human Dynamics. Dr. Gross has embraced this
opportunity and we look forward to his continued
contributions.
I have appointed Peter Sala, Senior Associate Director of
Athletics for Facilities and the Managing Director of the
Carrier Dome, to serve as Interim Director of Athletics. I
am grateful that Floyd Little, Special Assistant to the
Athletics Director, has agreed to counsel and assist Peter
through this term as Interim Director.
Steve Ballentine, who is a Board of Trustees member and
serves on the Board’s Athletics Committee, will chair
a small committee to assist the University in the search for
a new Director of Athletics. This committee will include:
Trustee Robert Miron, Chairman of the Board’s
Athletics Committee; Lavonda Reed, Associate Provost for
Faculty Affairs; Interim Athletics Director Sala; Barry
Wells, Special Assistant to the Chancellor; a representative
head coach; faculty and student representatives; and a
representative from the Office of University Counsel which
oversees Athletic Compliance. I will also be asking the
committee to review and recommend organizational and
structural changes with a focus on further enhancing the
overall student-athlete experience including the possible
creation of a new senior-level position to manage all
department operations.
Coach Jim Boeheim has been a mainstay at Syracuse University
for more than one-third of our entire 144-year history. He
enrolled as a student here in 1962 and has never left. Among
the many roles he has held at Syracuse are student-athlete,
graduate assistant, teacher, assistant coach, head coach,
community stalwart, philanthropist, U.S. Olympian coach, and
Hall of Fame member. In these roles, he has been the
embodiment of Orange Pride.
I have also had recent discussions with Coach Boeheim about
the Infractions Committee Report, and the future of his team
and program. Coach Boeheim has assured me that he will
respond thoughtfully and appropriately to the serious
findings of the Infractions Committee Report. Coach Boeheim
has also told me that he intends to retire as Head Coach in
three years. His goal in making this decision and
announcement now is to bring certainty to the team and
program in the coming years, and enable and plan for a
successful, longer-term transition in coaching leadership.
Coach Boeheim’s commitment to ensuring that the
men’s basketball program remains strong even after his
tenure is just one more example of his deep loyalty to our
University.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the
extraordinary support, counsel and hard work of many of you
as our University works through these issues. Syracuse
University is a great institution with a proud history, and
this has been a tough time. Thanks for the manifold
contributions of many people—including Athletics
Director Daryl Gross and Coach Jim Boeheim—so much
good has been accomplished here, and will be accomplished in
the years ahead. Thank you for your faith and support.
Sincerely,
Chancellor Kent Syverud