Dobbins says Smith's attitude likely made difference at appeal

The news conference Wednesday took place in the Program Lounge at the University Center. Josephine Potuto, chair of the NCAA Committee on Infractions, could be heard via teleconference.

However, the speaker phone at the university did not allow questions to be asked from within the lounge during the first session, so Potuto made an encore.

In addition to local media, members of the Southeast athletics department were on hand, including the head coaches from other programs.

They were perhaps on the receiving end of Dobbins' message that closed his prepared remarks, when he spoke about abiding by NCAA bylaws.

"To accomplish this, we need both administrators and coaches to make sure that we do comply," Dobbins said. "Unfortunately, this didn't occur and the report is the result of that not occurring."

The department personnel had a meeting in another part of the building following the news conference.

Dobbins on Smith

The university president thought former coach B.J. Smith was able to avoid personal penalties from the NCAA with his appearance and testimony at the hearing April 19.

He said Smith's appearance could be termed apologetic, which other sources have told the Southeast Missourian.

"I think the committee looked at the length of the process and he had been in limbo for two years," Dobbins said. "My thought is they thought that was enough, and that's why they didn't do a show cause."

Potuto, forgetting Smith's gender, said during the news conference, "There was a finding made against the former coach for failure to monitor the program, but there were no penalties that were directly assessed against her."

Mystery solved

Now we know why the university changed course on Smith's announced rehiring of Katrina Colewell to the women's program as an assistant coach in the summer of 2006.

Colewell was a high school coach in 2005-06 after serving on the staff previously.

The university in May 2006 self-reported that a high school coach who was a former assistant coach improperly served as a scorekeeper for the team during its run to the OVC tourney title and was admitted to the tournament.

Investigation bill

The Compliance Group, the consulting firm that assisted Southeast from the start after being hired to run the investigation by the Ohio Valley Conference, has been paid $39,758.88 through June 9 for its services.

Art Wallhausen, associate to the president at Southeast, said it's possible there could be some additional expenses.