THE FAX: SHUMATE LEARNED OF FATE SECOND-HAND; NEWS OF FIRING CAME FROM OWN ATTORNEY

Former Southeast Missouri State University head men's basketball coach Ron Shumate learned of his dismissal through his attorneys and never was given the opportunity to meet face to face with school officials.

Shumate, citing an NCAA confidentially agreement he signed and also the advice of his attorneys, said he did not want to comment about the way his dismissal was handled or the ongoing NCAA investigation that led to the Southeast Board of Regents' decision to terminate his contract last week.

"I have no comment due to the advice of my counsel," was all Shumate would say.

But an attorney with the Oliver Oliver & Waltz firm that represents Shumate told the Southeast Missourian Friday that Shumate was notified of his dismissal through the law firm.

"I will confirm" that Southeast officials never had a face-to-face conversation with Shumate to say he was terminated, said attorney J. Fred Waltz. "I was given a verbal indication from their lawyers" on May 14, "and then they sent me some letters that evening.

Waltz said he then relayed the information to John Oliver, Shumate's personal attorney, and Oliver told Shumate.

Shumate has reportedly still not met with any Southeast administrators since his dismissal, although the Southeast Missourian learned that he received an official letter from Southeast executive vice president Kenneth Dobbins last Saturday.

Neither Dobbins nor Don Dickerson, president of the Southeast Board of Regents, were available for comment Friday.

The Southeast Board of Regents actually reached its decision to terminate Shumate's contract on May 12. They did not make the decision public until May 15. Missouri's Sunshine Law allows public governmental bodies 72 hours to inform the public about decisions regarding hiring or firing of employees.

Three other basketball coaches also won't be returning. Randy Curl was suspended, and his contract won't be renewed. Kirt Cochran and Scott McCowan both resigned.

Shumate and his assistant coaches -- Curl, Cochran and McCowan -- attended the school's athletic awards banquet on May 13, the day after the regents acted on the firing, apparently without being told of the decision.

On May 14, Southeast's coaches reportedly were told early in the day that they needed to be available later in the day to meet with university officials in order to be evaluated.

Shumate left his office to attend the funeral of Southern Illinois University assistant basketball coach Ron Herrin. The funeral was in Benton, Ill.

Shumate returned to his office by late afternoon but was never contacted again regarding the evaluation. Later Wednesday, he was notified by his attorneys that he had been dismissed as coach.

In 16 seasons as Southeast's coach, Shumate's teams compiled a 306-171 record. He built the Indians into a Division II power, leading Southeast to eight Division II quarterfinal appearances in 10 years, including a pair of national runner-up finishes.

Shumate led the Indians to just one winning record out of six seasons since the school made the jump to Division I. The Indians went 43-68 the past four seasons, including a 12-18 mark last season.

While the Indians record on the court may have been less than hoped for, Southeast's players had impressive classroom credentials during Shumate's tenure.

During his 16 seasons as coach, from 1981-97, 39 of 53 (75 percent) players completing their eligibility graduated.

For the Division I years, from 1992-97, 14 of 16 (88 players) completing their eligibility graduated.