NCAA: SE CASE `MAJOR IN NATURE'; UNIVERSITY RECEIVES LETTER OF OFFICIAL INQUIRY FROM NCAA

Southeast Missouri State University received a letter of "official inquiry" Tuesday from the NCAA in regard to allegations concerning the men's basketball program.

The letter revealed the NCAA had concluded its "preliminary inquiry" and found that the case appears to be "major in nature" and warrants an "official inquiry" into a number of allegations.

The alleged improprieties under question concerned the program's operation under former coach Ron Shumate and his staff, who were all relieved of their duties by the Southeast Board of Regents after the 1996-97 season.

The letter requested Southeast to review the allegations and submit a written response by Oct. 17.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions is tentatively schedule to conduct its formal hearing on the case in November.

In a press release, University President Dale Nitzschke said the school will make good on its promise to release all available information to the public and the media, but will do so when the official inquiry is concluded and the Committee on Infractions has issued its findings.

Nitzschke stated, "In order to preserve the integrity of the NCAA process, to protect the individuals named in the allegations, and to conform with NCAA enforcement policies and procedures, the University will not release information or make further comment concerning this case prior to its conclusion, except to correct erroneous information that is released by others."

He added, "The University, as promised, will be completely open and candid about these matters as soon as the investigation is completed and the sanctions, if any, are known."

After reportedly receiving a complaint from a player, Southeast began an in-house review of the men's basketball program in March. Ohio Valley Conference commissioner Dan Beebe assisted with the preliminary review.

The NCAA apparently became involved as a result of the review.

The NCAA investigation resulted in the firing of Shumate, the winningest basketball coach in Southeast history with a 306-171 record, on May 14.

Fort Hays State coach Gary Garner was later hired to fill the vacant head coach position.