Professor leading investigation described as a straight shooter

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The professor named to lead an investigation of the Missouri men's basketball program was described Tuesday as fair, tough, thorough -- a "straight shooter" Eagle Scout.

He is neither hostile to Tiger athletics nor particularly a sports fan, friends and family said of Michael Devaney, a professor of electrical engineering who has taught at the Columbia campus since 1969.

"We went to an MU basketball game last year. But if we go, it's because I want to go, since I'm the sports fan in the family," Susan Devaney, the professor's wife of 30 years, said with a laugh during an interview Tuesday. "Mike doesn't hate athletics, but I wouldn't call him a big fan."

Devaney, 60, waded Tuesday into the controversial assignment handed to him by Elson Floyd, the university system president. He was meeting with university lawyers to get a better sense of his authority -- while pledging to do his own investigating and analysis of allegations of academic cheating in the basketball program.

Floyd said Monday night he wanted Devaney to lead a "continuation, extension and amplification" of an investigation started in late July by the athletic department, after the ex-girlfriend of former Tigers point guard Ricky Clemons said he received improper academic help.

Floyd also directed the Devaney investigation look at "the entire men's basketball program." Now, the athletic staffers and other university personnel involved in the investigation will answer to Devaney.

The NCAA is also investigating, and Floyd and other university officials pledged to continue cooperating with that probe.

"It's extremely important for faculty credibility that someone outside the athletic department is investigating these allegations," Devaney said. "This is the bread and butter of the faculty. We are very sensitive to the coupling between athletics and academics and we want to make sure that we have a high-caliber program in both regards."

Coach Quin Snyder, who had repeatedly declined comment for weeks, issued a statement Tuesday saying he welcomed the expansion of the investigation "and view it as a vehicle to expedite and further validate the process we are going through right now as an athletic department."