Jan. 11, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky Athletics Director Larry Ivy announced at a press conference today that the University of Kentucky would release former basketball player Marvin Stone to the University of Louisville.

Ivy met with UK Coach Tubby Smith this morning and the two agreed that it would be in the best interests of both the university and Stone to release him to the rival Cardinals.

“Coach Smith and I met again this morning and Coach Smith has had a change of heart in relation to Marvin Stone,” Ivy said. “He has agreed, and I have also concurred, that we would release (Marvin) to the University of Louisville.”

Ivy and Coach Smith decided it was best to release the junior center from his scholarship at this time because of the intense media scrutiny.

“Coach Smith thought it was best for the program and he felt like it was best for Marvin that we put this to bed and we release him. He gets on with his life and we get on with life at the University of Kentucky,” Ivy said. “As the process went on, and we articulated what our procedure was, I think there was some confusion there and I think that led to the distraction.”

The school had been criticized for an unwritten procedure concerning student-athletes wanting to transfer to other Southeastern Conference schools or schools that Kentucky played on a regular basis.

“When we issued the statement that we would not release him to these institutions and we told everyone this was per policy that we were following, I think that is probably where we misinformed you,” Ivy said. “What we should have said is this is a procedure that we have been following, as we do in football, basketball and every sport.”

Handed out at the press conference were copies of the NCAA policy concerning transfers as well as a copy of the UK policy on transfers and a study on transfers from UK over the last 12 years. According to the Kentucky policy, “Any student-athlete wishing to transfer from UK must receive a written release from the Athletics Director. This release will be provided through the Compliance Office with the permission of the head coach of that sport.”

Ivy repeatedly said that the final decision was up to the head coach of each sport.

“The first step in any transfer procedure is what is the desire of the head coach,” Ivy said. “We take very seriously what the head coach says, because they recruit these individuals, they coach these individuals, and they have the best knowledge of whether they think a student should be released or not. Obviously Coach Smith’s input to this was paramount.”

Stone has one season of collegiate eligibility remaining. He could be available at the school of his choosing following the fall semester of 2002.

-UK-