Dobbins eager for conclusion of investigation

~ The university president lauded the NCAA for its thoroughness and efficiency.

Southeast Missouri State president Dr. Kenneth Dobbins is trying to be a patient man.

But he admits to being eager for the NCAA to conclude its investigation into the university's women's basketball program.

As the investigation process winds to a close, Dobbins said last week he was ready to hear what the NCAA finds so that the university can make its response.

"I do want to say they are doing, in my estimation, a very thorough and quick review," Dobbins said Wednesday. "We're fortunate to have someone who has been working on it quickly. They have been very efficient."

An NCAA investigator and Chuck Smrt of The Compliance Group were on campus the week of Aug. 14 to conduct more interviews. Dobbins said it's a matter of wrapping up loose ends that became exposed during the investigation process.

He said he doesn't anticipate the process will lead Southeast to identify more areas to self report violations.

The university on June 30 announced seven areas of violations committed by the women's program -- and one area by the men's basketball program -- that were uncovered in the portion of the investigation supervised by the Ohio Valley Conference commissioner's office and conducted by The Compliance Group.

The university imposed sanctions on both programs, including a reduction in recruiting days for both and a reduction of scholarships by three from 15 to 12 in the women's basketball program.

The investigation process began in late July when Dobbins asked OVC commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher to conduct an investigation into possible violations by the program. The NCAA became involved soon after.

Estimations through the spring had the investigation likely to wrap up in late August. Dobbins said it was possible the NCAA would announce its findings this week but more likely early September.