SEC official briefed on investigation
Kramer refuses to give specifics about inquiry
SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer offered little insight into the ongoing Athletic Department investigation during a campus visit Tuesday.
Kramer said he supported the Athletic Department’s investigation into allegations of academic improprieties. However, he declined to specify what the improprieties are or offer details of the investigation.
Before talking to media, Kramer met with Chancellor Mark Emmert, Athletics Director Skip Bertman, University NCAA Compliance Officer Bo Bahnsen and other school officials at the Lod Cook Alumni Center.
The officials briefed Kramer on the investigation’s progress, including issues such as academic misconduct, which have been raised over a period of time, Emmert said.
“We’ve just concluded a very good and frank briefing on what we are doing at the University right now,” Emmert said.
Kramer declined to say who brought him to campus. He cited the briefing as his only reason for coming but said he regularly visits SEC campuses during the week.
“It would be highly untypical if I weren’t involved. This is one of the roles that a conference officer plays,” Kramer said.
Kramer would not comment on the allegations and said his visit did not focus on any particular sport.
Kramer also said he could not compare the University’s situation with other recent NCAA violators such as the University of Alabama and the University of Kentucky.
“I’ve never seen any similar situation,” Kramer said. “You treat every situation differently, and you react to the information as you move through it.”
He expressed his confidence in the University’s probe into the situation thus far.
“I’m very impressed with what the University is doing at this point,” Kramer said. “They are making all the right moves and decisions as you do when you move through one of these situations.”
Kramer said he set no time limit for the investigation.
“At the appropriate time, if decisions have to be made, they will be made appropriately,” Kramer said. “Certainly we are not at that stage at this point.”
He said the process will continue as long as sources and the University continue to present information, but would not comment on the case while it is in progress.
“Louisiana State is one of our finest member institutions,” Kramer said. “I am here to be available for them and to work with them as they work with this difficult process.”
If the University finds a violation to NCAA rules, then University officials will report their findings to the SEC, which also governs the University of Alabama, University of Tennessee, Auburn University, University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky and University of South Carolina.
The SEC, in turn, would report any violations to the NCAA. Kramer said he is not concerned about the allegations harming the SEC’s reputation.
“The University is doing exactly what it should do, as a member institution of the SEC and the NCAA when any kind of issue of this nature arises,” Kramer said. “It has a responsibility to fulfill, and they are doing it in a very thorough and satisfactory way.”
Bertman declined to comment on Kramer’s visit or his comments on the investigation.
“The Commissioner said it all,” Bertman said.
Tracy Simoneaux and Jessica Waldon