BUFFALO, N.Y. -- St. Bonaventure's former president dismissed trustees' concerns eight months ago about the eligibility of the basketball player at the center of the team's turmoil.

The university's board of trustees began investigating the matter last month after new concerns arose about center Jamil Terrell, school spokesman David Ferguson said Tuesday.

School president Robert Wickenheiser was forced to resign Sunday as a result of the inquiry.

Because of Terrell's appearances with the team, the Atlantic 10 stripped the Bonnies of six league victories and banned them from postseason play. The players then decided not to play the final two games of the regular season.

Athletics director Gothard Lane first informed trustees last June that Terrell might not be eligible to play, Ferguson said.

The trustees contacted Wickenheiser, who responded in a memo ``that Terrell's transfer is not a problem,'' Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the trustees had no reason to question Wickenheiser at the time. Lane raised his concerns again last month, leading the school to declare Terrell ineligible.

The trustees have placed Lane, head coach Jan van Breda Kolff and assistant coach Kort Wickenheiser -- Robert Wickenheiser's son -- on administrative leave, pending a review.

Lane confirmed Ferguson's description of events, but declined to comment further.

Terrell, who transferred last year after two seasons at Coastal Georgia Community College in Brunswick, Ga., was ruled ineligible because he didn't have an associate's degree. He earned a certificate in welding at his former school.

Gerald Cox, Terrell's coach at Coastal Georgia, has said he made sure all schools -- including St. Bonaventure -- were aware of his status. Cox has said Bonnies officials assured him Terrell's transfer would not be a problem.

St. Bonaventure has appointed a committee to investigate the men's basketball program. The committee has been asked to file a preliminary report by March 21, when the school's board of trustees is scheduled to meet.

The conference's school presidents meet April 1, when St. Bonaventure might have to make its case to remain in the conference.

William Swan, chairman of the university's board of trustees, said he's spoken to league commissioner Linda Bruno and hasn't received any signs that the school will be kicked out.