| | INDIANAPOLIS -- Two Indiana University trustees will
investigate former player Neil Reed's allegation that he was choked
by coach Bob Knight.
"Any time a student-athlete raises questions of physical abuse
by a coach, it is a serious matter," university president Myles
Brand said Thursday. "Once charges of this nature have been
raised, we are obligated to review the matter."
Brand's action came a day after an athletics advisory committee
urged a review of Reed's claim that Knight choked him at practice
in 1997. Knight has denied choking Reed.
The trustees were told to report their findings to Brand within
90 days.
"The objective is to get to the truth of the matter while being
fair to all parties involved," Brand said.
He appointed John D. Walda, the president of the board of
trustees, and Frederick F. Eichhorn, a trustee and former president
of the Indiana State Bar Association, to investigate.
At a news conference, Walda said his objective would be "to get
to the truth. We want to be fair to all parties. The integrity of
Indiana University is at stake.
"I want to emphasize one thing: There are no sacred cows at
Indiana University. That includes the basketball program," Walda
said.
Brand said he spoke to Knight, who was on a hunting trip, about
the investigation.
"His response was, 'I welcome it. I will do whatever is in the
interest of the university,' " Brand said.
The 13-member advisory committee, made up of faculty, students
and alumni, voted unanimously at its regular monthly meeting
Wednesday night to ask for the investigation. Knight did not
attend.
Athletics director Clarence Doninger spoke to the committee, but
the group did not view a videotape or read the transcript of a
CNN/SI report in which Reed described the alleged attack by Knight.
Brand said Doninger interviewed the entire coaching staff and
all team members, including Reed, in 1997. None of those
interviewed, including Reed, made any specific allegations of abuse
at the time, Brand said.
"Mr. Reed has now come forward with specific allegations, which
have received widespread media coverage. This review will explore
the allegations and, at its conclusion, present an honest and fair
account," Brand said.
He said the university would have no further statements on the
investigation until it is done.
The recommendation of an investigation was sent to Brand
Thursday by Bruce Jaffee, a business professor and chairman of the
Indiana University Bloomington Athletics Committee, which advises
Brand but has no power to discipline Knight.
"The press has thought that there is some basis for a review,
and we're urging the president to take care of that," he said.
Jaffee said Wednesday's recommendation was the first the
committee has made concerning Knight. He would not answer questions
about the allegation or say what action committee members thought
Brand should take.
"We believe (Knight) ought to be treated fairly. If it's found
there's no substance to it, so be it," Jaffee said. | |
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