The gambling issues play a role in the study but are not the sole focus of the outside report
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- An investigation by a private consulting company on the management of Florida State's athletic department is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
The study was ordered by Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell, and the university's administration is expected to get an update on the report next week, FSU vice president for university relations Lee Hinkle told The Associated Press on Sunday. The report is expected to be completed before an FSU board of trustees meeting May 30, she said.
The university's outside investigation of the athletic department comes as former quarterback Adrian McPherson awaits trial on second-degree misdemeanor gambling charges. Several athletic department officials were criticized by authorities in an 800-page report for how they investigated the earliest gambling allegations against McPherson.
Wetherell "wanted somebody looking from an outside objective to analyze how the athletic department has been handling these issues," Hinkle said.
Wetherell, reached late Sunday, said the study looks "at the whole system and how it interfaces with the university." He said FSU won Atlantic Coast Conference titles in five sports this past year but it was unfortunate that all that was being discussed was the gambling issues.
"Something has gone awry. We're going to take a look at it," Wetherell said.
Wetherell said he wants to make sure that any problems that arise with athletes are handled in compliance with the law, FSU's code of conduct, and NCAA rules. The NCAA has said it is aware of the contents of the 800-page report.
The gambling issues play a role in the study but are not the sole focus of the outside report, said Ken Boutwell, chief operating officer of MGT of America, the Tallahassee-based higher education consulting firm completing the investigation. The company's study is separate from an internal investigation by the school's inspector general on the gambling allegations contained in the law enforcement report.
"We're looking at a much, much bigger picture," Boutwell said Sunday.
The investigation, which costs about $37,000 and has been underway for at least a month, looks at communication within the athletic department, chain of command and other organizational issues, Boutwell said. It is being compiled by Mary Moak, who completed a similar study for the University of Texas.
McPherson was dismissed from the football team in late November after he was charged with stealing a blank check and receiving stolen goods after the check was cashed. The check was later forged by someone and made out for $3,500 and cashed. The money has not been recovered.
Police charged McPherson with gambling following an investigation into the stolen check case. His attorney has said that McPherson is being made the scapegoat for a widespread gambling problem at the university.
Other problems besides the gambling allegations have beset the university.
Former receiver Talman Gardner was sentenced to a year of probation and 250 hours of community service Wednesday after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and having a concealed, loaded handgun. Former cornerback Malcolm Tatum was arrested with Gardner in April on a warrant for civil contempt.
Defensive lineman Travis Johnson was charged with sexual assault last month, and starting defensive tackle Darnell Dockett sat out during spring practice for disciplinary reasons stemming from charges he received improper discounts on merchandise.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.sportingnews.com/cfootball/articles/20030511/473181.html
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- An investigation by a private consulting company on the management of Florida State's athletic department is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
The study was ordered by Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell, and the university's administration is expected to get an update on the report next week, FSU vice president for university relations Lee Hinkle told The Associated Press on Sunday. The report is expected to be completed before an FSU board of trustees meeting May 30, she said.
The university's outside investigation of the athletic department comes as former quarterback Adrian McPherson awaits trial on second-degree misdemeanor gambling charges. Several athletic department officials were criticized by authorities in an 800-page report for how they investigated the earliest gambling allegations against McPherson.
Wetherell "wanted somebody looking from an outside objective to analyze how the athletic department has been handling these issues," Hinkle said.
Wetherell, reached late Sunday, said the study looks "at the whole system and how it interfaces with the university." He said FSU won Atlantic Coast Conference titles in five sports this past year but it was unfortunate that all that was being discussed was the gambling issues.
"Something has gone awry. We're going to take a look at it," Wetherell said.
Wetherell said he wants to make sure that any problems that arise with athletes are handled in compliance with the law, FSU's code of conduct, and NCAA rules. The NCAA has said it is aware of the contents of the 800-page report.
The gambling issues play a role in the study but are not the sole focus of the outside report, said Ken Boutwell, chief operating officer of MGT of America, the Tallahassee-based higher education consulting firm completing the investigation. The company's study is separate from an internal investigation by the school's inspector general on the gambling allegations contained in the law enforcement report.
"We're looking at a much, much bigger picture," Boutwell said Sunday.
The investigation, which costs about $37,000 and has been underway for at least a month, looks at communication within the athletic department, chain of command and other organizational issues, Boutwell said. It is being compiled by Mary Moak, who completed a similar study for the University of Texas.
McPherson was dismissed from the football team in late November after he was charged with stealing a blank check and receiving stolen goods after the check was cashed. The check was later forged by someone and made out for $3,500 and cashed. The money has not been recovered.
Police charged McPherson with gambling following an investigation into the stolen check case. His attorney has said that McPherson is being made the scapegoat for a widespread gambling problem at the university.
Other problems besides the gambling allegations have beset the university.
Former receiver Talman Gardner was sentenced to a year of probation and 250 hours of community service Wednesday after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and having a concealed, loaded handgun. Former cornerback Malcolm Tatum was arrested with Gardner in April on a warrant for civil contempt.
Defensive lineman Travis Johnson was charged with sexual assault last month, and starting defensive tackle Darnell Dockett sat out during spring practice for disciplinary reasons stemming from charges he received improper discounts on merchandise.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.sportingnews.com/cfootball/articles/20030511/473181.html
