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SEMO men's coach Scott Edgar denies any knowing violation of NCAA rulesFriday, October 10, 2008
PDF: Oct. 6 NCAA letter to Southeast Missouri State University (1 megabytes) Southeast Missouri State University men's basketball coach Scott Edgar denies knowingly committing any NCAA rules violations. Edgar issued a statement, made through one of his attorneys, Stuart L. Brown of Atlanta, shortly after Edgar was placed on administrative leave Thursday morning by the university for alleged NCAA infractions. "I deny any allegation that I knowingly violated NCAA rules," Edgar said in the statement. "Through almost 30 years as a college coach, I have worked to build and maintain my good name and reputation for integrity. "Following NCAA rules has always been important to me, and it always will be. I look forward to continuing to fully cooperate with the NCAA and the university in this process, and I look forward to continuing to coach Southeast's men's basketball program in the future." Reached by telephone later in the day, Edgar said: "We've released a statement. That's about all I can say about it right now." The action taken regarding Edgar came three days after the NCAA notified Southeast of possible major violations involving the men's basketball program. A release from the university said, "Due to the serious nature of these allegations, head men's basketball coach Scott Edgar has been placed on administrative leave until the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions hears the case and releases their findings. "While on administrative leave, Edgar will retain the title of head coach, and an acting head coach will assume all coaching duties and all related job responsibilities. An acting men's head basketball coach will be named in the near future." The allegations were outlined in a letter received Monday by Southeast president Ken Dobbins from David Price, the NCAA's vice president for enforcement. Southeast has until Jan. 2 to submit formal written responses to the allegations. The university anticipates the NCAA considering the case at either its Feb. 20 and 21 meeting in San Diego or its April 17 and 18 meeting in Indianapolis. Considering the timing of those two meetings, Edgar is virtually assured of not being able to coach the entire season. The NCAA's letter sent to the university alleges five infractions specific to the men's basketball program since Edgar was hired before the 2006-2007 season. * The NCAA alleges that in 2006 and 2007, members of the men's basketball coaching staff — including Edgar — observed players participating in summer strength and conditioning activities and out-of-season pick-up games. * The NCAA alleges that in October 2006 and August 2007, Edgar and an unnamed assistant coach arranged for the provision of extra benefits for two players. In the August 2007 instance, approximately $239 was paid for a player's institutional fees. Failure to pay the fees was preventing the player from enrolling in fall classes. In the October 2006 instance, a player was driven from the Southeast campus to Memphis, Tenn., a $23.94 value, so that the player could travel to Atlanta for the purpose of seeing his newborn child. * The NCAA alleges Edgar provided false and misleading information to Southeast and the NCAA enforcement staff during questioning about his involvement in and knowledge of the alleged violations. * The NCAA alleges that an unnamed assistant coach was not honest when questioned about one of the alleged violations. "Southeast is extremely disappointed with these allegations. We consider the allegations of NCAA infractions regarding our men's basketball program to be a matter of significant concern," Dobbins said in the release from the university. "Given the serious nature of the allegations, we believed we needed to take immediate action in the best interests of the program." Southeast players and assistant coaches met with university administrators Thursday afternoon in a Show Me Center conference room, where the entire team was informed of the situation. Players said they were specifically instructed by university administrators not to make any comments to the media. Practice for the upcoming season begins Oct. 17. Edgar has posted a 23-39 record in his first two seasons at Southeast, including a 12-19 mark last year. The 2007-2008 Redhawks got off to an 11-5 start — 6-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference — before losing 14 of its final 15 games. Edgar is in the third year of a five-year contract that pays him a base salary of $120,000 annually. Among the reasons Southeast can terminate Edgar's contract for cause, as outlined in the contract, is if he is found to have committed significant or major NCAA violations. The Redhawks' acting head coach to be named will almost certainly come from the current coaching staff. Zac Roman and Rodney Hamilton are both entering their second seasons as assistants, with Tommy Suitts recently hired to round out the staff. Roman was designated by Edgar to be Southeast's "lead coach" during a game at Murray State last season that Edgar missed while serving an OVC-mandated suspension for a post-game radio show tirade against the officials following a contest two days earlier. mmishow@semissourian.com 388-3645 Related Links
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SEMO's biggest mistake was going to D.1 in bball. The Show Me Center was packed as a D.2 powerhouse
Tough times at SEMO. A number of years without any NCAA post-season appearances. They need to bring back Mumford and Garner and give them another chance. At least Mumford had honesty and integrity and Garner got us to the Big Dance. Even Kelson, the strength coach during the 90's who's at SLU now helping to produce winning teams, would help. Bottom line is we need to get back to being at least respectable in the OVC and on the National level.
obamma....Haven't heard much yet. Remember just said they are being investigated, haven't been charged yet. Heard a rumor it might be some of those idiots in Bluff who for some reason don't appreciate Coach Bess and are just trying to stir up trouble. But I will keep you updated. But I just heard that rumor over the radio as I drove the tractor today.
Whats the over / under for Redhawk wins this year? 4?
Joe Raider u have any comment on the great Mr. Bess?
SBKC1969&2009,
Check your facts, buddy. As a matter of fact, Rush has officially entered the "billionaire club".
I realize he was interested in the Rams. That's a little more than being in charge of a small-town college. And if you stuck your back woods nose outside of Southeast Missouri, you'd realize that a "liberal" at SEMO is not so liberal after all. He was interested in the Rams with the stipulation that he would be able to partner with a buying group. He couldn't afford to buy the team himself.
Let's see here, he's a billionaire and the football team he's interested in is too expensive--that's a little out of SEMO's league.
Listen, I despise pretty much everything Rush says. Not because I disagree with the principle. In fact, I hold some of the same views on certain issues. The reason I dispise what he says is because he's a hypocritical scumbag. He has sold out to support John McCain, a candidate that wants to buy up every bad mortgage in America. Where have we gotten to that the "conservative" candidate wants to make such a socialistic move? Rush supports him because his pocketbook says he has to. So instead of thinking for himself, he makes the decision that earns him the most money. That's the kind of guy I want in charge of my hometown alma-mater.
I realize that this is completely off topic from the original debate; SEMO athletics. However, when I see someone distort the facts as you did, I have to respond. Oh, and as the previous poster said, please look back to your junior high grammar lesson.
SBKC1969&2009,
I enjoyed your post. It was like solving a puzzle.
For future reference, the following words have specific meanings: since, there, and our. They are not interchangeable with similar sounding words. I'm limited on space and time; otherwise, we could talk about punctuation.
Please post more often! It's like getting a cryptogram to solve!
W
Hey RD. Have a since of Humor. Rush is multi talented and you are the moron!! Why would he donate to SEMO with all of there clueless liberal ideas!!!, but if he would come here and take charge maybe it would straighten up. He stated when the Rams might be for sale that he would be interested, and would like to make them a winner, but he is not part of the billionaire club yet!! like all of the other nfl owners our. At least look at the bright side Kaverman is gone. Next lets get rid of Dr. Dobbins!!!!!!!!! So RD go OBAMAYOURMAMA
Does this mean Scotty Edgar Jr. is suspended from the team as well? I hope not, Semo will need his athletic ability.
Rodeo is not sanctioned by the NCAA, it is sanctioned by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), so they have different rules. Rodeo teams do not follow NCAA rules/bylaws, they follow NIRA rules/bylaws.
SBKC1969&2009,
Rush Limbaugh? Seriously? He can't be President and AD, he's too busy lamenting about hookers, Democrats and drug dealers...oh, and taking prescription pain pills. You're a moron. Rush Limbaugh makes $50 million per year. He's a billionaire. How much money has he donated to SEMO? I don't recall any. Do you think he really gives a crap about his hometown or SEMO? He lives in Palm Beach, Florida in a 30,000 square foot mansion worth $30 million. He talks about Obama being out of touch? Just because Rush grew up in our sleepy little river town doesn't make him a Southeast Missourian. Let me assure you, Rush sold out a long time ago.
Even if Rush were well connected to his hometown, do you think a guy that makes $50 million a year would be interested in meddling with a flailing university sports program? SEMO can't even win by cheating. Rush has a full schedule being a worthless, hypocritical piece of crap.
Mussmuggins:
College athletes are paid. They receive compensation for tuition, fees, books, room and board. The value of the compensation varies with the quality of education and the school's location. If athletes want to be paid in cash, they should choose professional sports instead of attending college.
Could you please post a link to the NCAA rodeo information? According to the NCAA home page (http://www.ncaa.org/...), rodeo is not listed as a sanctioned sport. Perhaps I've overlooked it. Could it be a university's "club sport" to which you're referring?
W
Thank god Kaverman is gone. What a waste for the past 10 years. Now can we somehow get rid of DR. DOBBINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Who we need to get is Rush Limbaugh involve at the presidents helm and at the AD position. That way we can get a WINNER across the board. Rush is a proven WINNER in whatever he does and wants to WIN period. In addition he would get rid of our LIBERAL PROFESSORS and stop building Fountains. Also lets appoint Ron Shumate to be our temporary head coach. At least he could put some people in the seats at the Show me center!!!!!!! Dr. Dobbins, Don Kaverman and crew have adchieved one long list of failures and dissappointments in atletics.
They need to pay college NCAA players. The precedent has already been set in college sports. In the outheast United States, college NCAA rodeo participants are paid to compete.
Zac Roman is the only choice for interim head coach. He handles himself with class and everyone knows it. He also has the resume to back it up. Hopefully Dobbins will have his head on straight and NOT make another HORRIBLE WRONG decision when he begins interviewing for the interim. If anyone looks at Roman's bio, he's clearly the best choice and the team would be in good hands. Come on Dobbins, do the university and the paying public a favor and make the RIGHT CHOICE this time.
"HAS been fired." Sorry for the keyboard mistake!
Fox Sports is reporting that Kaverman gas been fired!
http://msn.foxsports.com/...
Southeast has losing records and they get busted more then a team that has winning records. Edgar was a poor choice for a basketball coach in the first place, so just may be now we can hire a decent basketball coach. Bring Shumate back at least we were winning.
Here is the St. Louis Post article about SEMO. Notice the article title. That sums us the mess very well.
PM Update: SEMO, the UNLV of our state
By Jeff Gordon
Poor SEMO is in trouble with the NCAA again.
Earlier, both basketball programs were placed on two year’s probation – and the women’s program forfeited 44 victories – for rules violations under former coaches B.J. Smith and Gary Garner.
Now, current men’s coach Scott Edgar is under the microscope. The school placed him on administrative leave pending its investigation of new NCAA allegations.
Also, athletic director Don Kaverman got the short haircut Thursday.
“Given the serious nature of the allegations, we believed we needed to take immediate action in the best interests of the program,” school president Kenneth W. Dobbins said in a statement.
“Southeast is extremely disappointed with these allegations. We consider the allegations of NCAA infractions regarding our men’s basketball program to be a matter of significant concern.”
The Redhawks have faced hard times in men’s basketball in recent years. They lost 14 of their last 15 games last season under Edgar, who is 23-49 at the helm.
Maybe SEMO should have considered Jay Spoonhour more seriously before hiring Edgar . . .
Pretty said when the NCAA won't allow a kid to get a ride to go see his new baby.
-- Posted by longtime_cape_resident on Thu, Oct 9, 2008, 11:12 pm CDT
If a kid wants to get a ride to see his new baby maybe he could call the babies mom next time for gas money!!!!!
If you are going to get busted by the NCAA for rules infractions, at least break the rules in a way to get yourself a winning record.
SEMO can't even break the rules in a favorable way...
-- Posted by SEMissouri70
They tried that with the women's program and look where that got them...
What's pathetic about this story. If you are going to get busted by the NCAA for rules infractions, at least break the rules in a way to get yourself a winning record.
SEMO can't even break the rules in a favorable way...
Pretty sad when NCAA won't let a kid have the opportunity to go see his new baby. With sports being full time job, how can they earn gas money?
-- Posted by longtime_cape_resident
The issue is not that he went to see his child, the issue is that a coach gave him a ride to the airport. As for earning gas money, lots of SEMO athletes have jobs. He had money for a flight to Atlanta but couldn't afford $23 in gas? I find that hard to believe.
Does this mean #23 won't be playing this year?????????
-- Posted by 82allamerican
#23 practicing with the squad is a violation in itself since he hasn't passed the NCAA Clearinghouse. Don't you think a head coach would know that??? "I have never knowingly violated an NCAA rule..." Oops.
Pretty sad when NCAA won't let a kid have the opportunity to go see his new baby. With sports being full time job, how can they earn gas money?
Pretty said when the NCAA won't allow a kid to get a ride to go see his new baby.
Damn, Does this mean #23 won't be playing this year?????????
The prophecy is coming true!!!
By this summer, we will have a new AD, Mens BB coach, and SID... I knew I would be right!!!
This change is for the BEST...
Well as i see it this could be the best case scenario. It looks like he can be fired for cause. This recruting class was an absolute joke. The team will be better off with Zac Roman at the helm. They played better in the Murray game on the road and i hope he is appointed.
I just think the overall athletic department is a total failure over the last 5-10 years. We have gone straight down since are run against LSU
No, Ron Shumate appeared on a spot with Randy Ray on KFVS12 with a brown paper bag on his head. It was to get his team's attention. The muck that Edgar and Kaverman have dragged this university through is much more embarrasing than a brown paper bag. This school has become the laughing stock of the OVC.
While I have much disdain for President Dobbins, I realize he's not directly responsible for all these violations. However, I do believe that his lack of oversight and negligence have contributed to this mess. He needs to go.
Edgar had two good seasons at Murray. Before that, he's latched onto Nolan Richardson as an assitant and rode his coattails to some moderate success. After having two good seasons out of four as a head coach at Murray, he went to Duschene where he had no success and was fired after three seasons. He then jumped around as an assistant. This notion that he's some kind of program revitalizer is bogus. He took Murray to the tournament for a couple seasons, that's about it. From what I've seen, he doesn't recruit well and can't discipline a team to play in ANY stlye (unless you consider chaos a style of basketball).
Please, as an alumni and fan of this university, I'm begging the board of regents to do the right thing. Send Edgar and Dobbins packing.
Scott Edgar also said SEMO might be the surprise team of the OVC. no surprise here, Edgar is gone this is just what they needed to get rid of him. How Dobbins stays above the fray is a mystery to me, he is ultimately responsible for all aspects of the university and he gets a free pass. Like I've said before, maybe more time should have been devoted to what was going on under his nose and less time devoted to worrying about mascots.
The major sports at SEMO are in chaos and I don't see an out any time soon. This is a very sad situation for
the students, the alumni, fans, boosters and players.
Speaking of embarrassment... didn't Shumate appear on national television (ESPN) with a brown paper bag over his head?
Edgar needs to go anyway. He has proven that his teams are undisciplined, play no defense and that he can't recruit. Dobbins needs to be the next one to go. Edgar needs to pack his bags and move onto another flailing university. He's done enough damage here.
I wonder what the Board of Regents thinks of guys like Ron Shumate now? Yeah, he was a hardass and didn't take anything from people who were techinically above him. But he won games and played fair. Southeast can't find anyone who can do either of those things.
Please...Dobbins, Edgar, just leave. Do all of Southeast Missouri a favor and end your reign of poor decisions and embarrasment.