U of M Launches Investigation Of Alleged NCAA Violations

The University of Michigan has launched an internal investigation into allegations from anonymous players that its football program regularly violates NCAA rules saying they were required to practice more than the NCAA-allotted 20 hours per week last season and eight hours a week in the offseason.

The players spoke to the newspaper anonymously as they feared repercussions from their coaches.

The announcement from Michigan athletic director Bill Martin came after a Detroit Free Press article was printed where players from the 2008 and 2009 teams said the amount of time spent on football during last season and in the offseason greatly exceeds NCAA limits.

In a written statement Martin said:

“We are committed to following both the letter and the intent of the NCAA rules and we take any allegations of violations seriously.  We believe we have been compliant with NCAA rules, but nonetheless we have launched a full investigation of the allegations in today’s newspaper.

Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez denied the allegations with an emotion speech during a press conference held Monday.

“I guess I’m here to tell you that whatever you’ve heard or want to believe, the truth of the matter is this coaching staff cares very deeply about the young men in our program, always have, always will.  Care very deeply about this institution. We know the rules. We go by the rules, and all we’re trying to do every day is make our great fans … make them proud. And we will continue to do that.”