NCAA Sanctions Press Conference -- Tommy Amaker
5/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Comments from U-M Press Conference
Regarding NCAA Infractions Committee Report
Tommy Amaker, U-M Men's Basketball Head Coach
On the sanctions imposed by the NCAA ... "It is disappointing. It is also a day of bringing things to a conclusion. I'm so proud of our players. They all wanted to be here to reaffirm their belief, commitment and trust in this institution. Although there were a lot of disappointments today, we feel that the conclusion of this long saga will bring forth brighter days."
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On the decision to appeal the postseason ban for 2003-04 ... "As we heard through the NCAA conference call, appeals are normal within these cases. We felt that it was right to fight on behalf of our players. I'm not sure of the likelihood of these things occurring, we're not holding our breath or waiting by the phone. We know what we've been dealt right now, we just need to keep our heads up and have the kind of players who want to still be here for the right reasons and who want to represent this institution."
On what the sanctions have done to the team ... "Anytime you're not going into competition with all the tools that everyone else has been awarded, it certainly doesn't help your cause to be the best that you can be. As President Coleman and Bill Martin said, we accept these sanctions and we're going to do our best to put the right product out here on the court, whether that's with 12 scholarship players or 13."
On hearing the news ... "It was a great disappointment. Everyone was holding out hope, given what we went through last year. I think it was a normal and natural reaction for myself, the coaching staff and all of our players. I'm really impressed with the quality and character of the kids that we have here. Their main focus is their commitment to Michigan and I think it speaks volumes about this institution."
On whether the punishment is fair to current players ... "I certainly don't think it's fair to punish players who had nothing to do with the past. We know that in life everything isn't always fair. We are a very small part of this institution. We may be very visible at times, but in the grand scheme of things, we're not really that important. When we think of those things in that context, we recognize our place. We're certainly on board with the decisions that are made for the betterment of this school."
On whether he feels a sense of closure to the situation ... "I know I do. As I said before, there has been closure and we have the opportunity to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We'll be able to plan and prepare and move forward. We haven't been given all the tools to be able to move forward as we would have liked to, but we recognize that this is an opportunity for our guys to stand up and be Michigan men, something I like to think we displayed last year."
On being the head coach despite all the of the problems ... "I'm very proud to be here at Michigan as the head basketball coach. I can't tell you how proud I am to coach the players that we have in this program. Coming into this position, we certainly recognized that there were issues surrounding the program. I don't think anyone knew the severity of it, but I would not have changed my feelings about being here. I love being here."
On the beliefs of the players and coaches when dealing with this issue ... "We represent Michigan and we have a certain standard, regardless if we are eligible for the postseason. We may not be eligible, but we can always be deserving. That is something that our kids have really hung onto and it was very meaningful for us. We have a certain standard that we are always going to live up to, and that's to be the best that we can possibly be."
On whether it is possible to prevent similar problems with players in the future ... "That's a great question. I'm not sure that there are any safeguards against some of the circumstances that surround a young athlete. There is no way of knowing certain things at that level and at that time. As the head basketball coach here at this level, I'm held accountable for those types of decisions and that comes with the territory."
On the ability of the team to battle through this again next season ... "We had some difficulties getting out of the blocks last season, but I believe the character of our team was the reason that we were able to push through and have a winning season. I don't anticipate any difficulties holding our team together. I anticipate our team to grow and for us to become better. That's our goal."
On the team's focus heading into next season ... "Our focus is to be the best that we can be. Now that we've had a year to go through the Big Ten Conference with some success, I think our guys are excited. Everyone's goal is to win the Big Ten title."
On the outcome of the upcoming appeal ... "We're hoping for the best. The appeal process is not going to be a part of my focus or dialogue with the players. We're going to focus on what we can control. If things happen in a way that is very positive for this team, they deserve it."
On the difficulty of breaking the news to the players ... "It wasn't easy. It's not news that I enjoy delivering and it's not news that they enjoy receiving. I'm not surprised by the reaction that our kids had. There was certainly a lot of disappointment and all the normal reactions that you can possibly think of in that regard. I was very impressed that all the players wanted to be here to be able to state their intentions. I think it speaks volumes about who these kids are."
On the focus of the blame and punishment ... "The blame and punishment is not intended for the current players and coaches, it's an institutional type of punishment. We are a part of this institution and it's a tough pill to swallow. Again, we've gone through it and we've proven that. We're going to fight through it again."
On his feelings of the players who were accused ... "I don't like to live in the past or to harbor ill-will feelings. I think it's a waste of time and energy. We have enough things to spend our time and energy on."
On how this issue will affect the reputation of Michigan and its athletic program ... "People will recognize that we are stepping up and are accepting things. We have taken preventive measures. I think the reputation of our institution in the Big Ten and in the country will be very positive. We've done the things that are necessary and right. I think we deserve to have that said about our institution."
On the probability of winning the appeal ... "Generally, the appeals process does not have a high rate of success, but I do feel that it's right to fight on behalf of our current student-athletes. President Coleman made that very clear. Whatever chance there is to fight on behalf of our players, we'll take that opportunity."
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
