Jan. 31, 2002
Athletics Director Larry Ivy
“Well obviously I’m not pleased with the circumstances surrounding this press conference, we are relieved that the most difficult period of this football investigation is now over. While not agreeing with all findings of the NCAA Infractions Committee, we appreciate its acknowledgement of the diligence of our investigation and our meaningful corrective measures.”
“Once we got past a cancelled check and the distribution of free apparel to recruits, we found that we had more serious violations in our football program. My instructions to Sandy Bell were to conduct this investigation in a complete and thorough manner, period. Any violations cited within the report were discovered by the university.”
“I want to thank Sandy Bell for the tremendous job she did. I want to thank Coach Guy Morriss for taking over a football program at a very difficult time and molding a team into a very competitive unit. I especially want to thank President Lee Todd for his support and guidance that we have spent the last 14 months trying to rectify a situation that neither of us created.”
“I’m looking forward now to spending time with our other 21 sports and managing our athletics department instead of managing this investigation.”
UK Head Coach Guy Morriss
On whether the penalties will harm the program…
“To some degree, that will be speculation. I haven’t had a chance to talk with my staff or crunch numbers. The first thing I am going to do is walk across campus and talk to the players. Then we are going to try and salvage the recruiting class. We’ve been very open with the kids we are recruiting. How it will affect us, I don’t know yet. But all the good things that caused those kids to sign with us are still here.”
On the bowl game ban…
“I don’t think we’ll lose a player (because of not being bowl eligible). As for not having a bowl to strive for, I think the players will be disappointed. Last year, when it looked like we wouldn’t make a bowl, that is when we began to play our best ball.”
On the possibility that junior college transfers might not sign with UK because they only have two years of eligibility remaining…
“It’s certainly a possibility, since they have only two years left. But until we talk with the kids and their families, it will be pure speculation on my part.”
On whether this will cause current players to lose hope…
“No, not really. Knowing the kids the way I do, they play basically for the joy of the game. They play for the shear enjoyment of walking out into this stadium and teeing it up every week.”
