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How should CPF handle SEC Media Days?
- Thread starter LadyinOrange
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lol:
Volstorm
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The only way that I could gain any respect for Fulmer again is for him to go to Media Days and tell 'em all off. I want him to say "The Bammers were cheating, I turned 'em in, and I would do it again. I am going to procede with getting my team ready, and I'm going to beat them on the field AGAIN." If Fulmer took these issues head on instead of trying to avoid them, then I would be behind him 100%.
We all hated Spurrier, but he always took things head on, and said what was on his mind. That I admire.
We all hated Spurrier, but he always took things head on, and said what was on his mind. That I admire.
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MississippiVol
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STATEMENT FROM HEAD COACH Phillip Fulmer
" I am very upset to not have the opportunity to be in Birmingham with my players for the 12th year. We always have come early and stayed late to accommodate everyone we can. I greatly appreciate the support of my president, Dr. Petersen, and my athletics director, Mike Hamilton, and the understanding of Tennessee people in this matter. I also appreciate the support and backing of the NCAA and the AFCA as we try to make a stand for what's right.
"I am not attending Media Days because of the legal circus that has been created by an isolated group of attorneys. They want to hijack Media Days for their own benefit but I am not going to allow that to happen. This day is for the players. They should be center stage instead of this small group of lawyers who intend on attacking the integrity of the NCAA's enforcement process.
"When you get behind all the smoke and the big pile of lawsuits, the truth still stands: rules were broken, an investigation proved it, those who broke the rules admitted their guilt, and a university paid the price. There are a few people who cannot accept the truth, so they file lawsuits hoping the truth will go away.
"As one of several coaches contacted by the NCAA regarding these serious violations by a small group of boosters, my response was honest, in line with our code of conduct, and the right thing to do.
"I have great respect for all our sister institutions and the rivalries we share. I take seriously my responsibility to protect the integrity of our profession and our conference, and I know our administration and our fans expect nothing less than that of me. As coaches, our greatest fear is outside involvement of out-of-control boosters, agents, and gamblers that do harm to college programs. None of us benefit when those outside agents get any school on probation.
"University presidents founded the NCAA as our governing body some 100 years ago and it has served college football well. There are those who want to attack the integrity of the NCAA's enforcement authority, but I do not believe they will be successful in intimidating the NCAA or other coaches from doing what is right.
" I am very upset to not have the opportunity to be in Birmingham with my players for the 12th year. We always have come early and stayed late to accommodate everyone we can. I greatly appreciate the support of my president, Dr. Petersen, and my athletics director, Mike Hamilton, and the understanding of Tennessee people in this matter. I also appreciate the support and backing of the NCAA and the AFCA as we try to make a stand for what's right.
"I am not attending Media Days because of the legal circus that has been created by an isolated group of attorneys. They want to hijack Media Days for their own benefit but I am not going to allow that to happen. This day is for the players. They should be center stage instead of this small group of lawyers who intend on attacking the integrity of the NCAA's enforcement process.
"When you get behind all the smoke and the big pile of lawsuits, the truth still stands: rules were broken, an investigation proved it, those who broke the rules admitted their guilt, and a university paid the price. There are a few people who cannot accept the truth, so they file lawsuits hoping the truth will go away.
"As one of several coaches contacted by the NCAA regarding these serious violations by a small group of boosters, my response was honest, in line with our code of conduct, and the right thing to do.
"I have great respect for all our sister institutions and the rivalries we share. I take seriously my responsibility to protect the integrity of our profession and our conference, and I know our administration and our fans expect nothing less than that of me. As coaches, our greatest fear is outside involvement of out-of-control boosters, agents, and gamblers that do harm to college programs. None of us benefit when those outside agents get any school on probation.
"University presidents founded the NCAA as our governing body some 100 years ago and it has served college football well. There are those who want to attack the integrity of the NCAA's enforcement authority, but I do not believe they will be successful in intimidating the NCAA or other coaches from doing what is right.
Volstorm
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Volstorm
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Fulmer is smart for not falling for Gallion's trap, but at the same time he has f'd up. Regardless of whether Fulmer went or not, he was going to be the main topic at Media Days. By going, he would try to avoid the media circus and Gallion. By staying, he has become even more hated by not only the Bammers, but by his critics here at home. It is a no-win situation.
Volstorm
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ESPN's take:
Monday, July 26, 2004
Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer will not attend this week's Southeastern Conference media days after learning that attorneys in a lawsuit against the NCAA plan to subpoena him at the event in Alabama.
Attorneys representing a former Alabama assistant coach have accused Fulmer of conspiring with the NCAA in bringing down the Crimson Tide football program by speaking to an NCAA investigator four years ago. Alabama was placed on five years probation in 2002 after the NCAA uncovered recruiting violations that included payments to players from boosters.
"I am not attending media days because of the legal circus that has been created by an isolated group of attorneys. They want to hijack media days for their own benefit, but I am not going to allow that to happen," Fulmer said in a statement Monday. "This day is for the players. They should be center stage instead of this small group of lawyers who intend on attacking the integrity of the NCAA's enforcement process."
University president John Petersen and athletic director Mike Hamilton defended their decision to protect Fulmer from an onslaught of media attention and the threat of being served a subpoena.
"I don't think this is tucking and running," Hamilton said at a Monday night news conference.
One of the attorneys notified SEC commissioner Mike Slive that Fulmer would be issued a subpoena at media days if the coach did not agree to give a deposition, the Tuscaloosa News reported Monday on its Web site.
Fulmer will be fined $10,000 by the SEC for not attending media days, but will be available to reporters Thursday via teleconference during the time he was supposed to appear in person. Players Michael Munoz and Kevin Burnett will attend as scheduled.
Petersen tried to persuade Slive not to fine Fulmer.
"I think we will potentially avert something that would not be in the best interest of the NCAA, the conference or the coach of the University of Tennessee," Petersen said.
Tennessee officials voiced their concern last week about Fulmer's safety in Birmingham while meeting with reporters at the annual SEC event. Fulmer was scheduled to appear the same day Alabama coach Mike Shula and two players are on the agenda.
Media days is held in a hotel and many fans -- mostly of Alabama -- go there to watch the players and coaches.
In 2000, Fulmer was interviewed three times by an NCAA investigator looking into possible recruiting violations at Alabama. Other coaches from the SEC and the Big Ten conference also spoke to investigators, according to NCAA documents. Some, including Fulmer, also testified before a grand jury in Memphis that indicted Alabama booster Logan Young allegedly paid $150,000 to steer prospect Albert Means to Alabama in 1999.
Attorney Tommy Gallion and his colleagues, who are representing former Tide coach Ronnie Cottrell in a lawsuit against the NCAA, have alleged Fulmer provided information to the NCAA in exchange for the NCAA overlooking violations at Tennessee.
Fulmer has defended his actions in the past, but had not said much at length publicly about it until Monday's statement.
"When you get behind all the smoke and the big pile of lawsuits, the truth still stands: rules were broken, an investigation proved it, those who broke the rules admitted their guilt, and a university paid the price. There are a few people who cannot accept the truth, so they file lawsuits hoping the truth will go away," Fulmer said.
"As one of several coaches contacted by the NCAA regarding these serious violations by a small group of boosters, my response was honest, in line with our code of conduct, and the right thing to do."
Former Alabama recruit and Tennessee player Kenny Smith also has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fulmer for telling the NCAA investigator he heard there were rumors Smith's mother was involved with a Tide assistant.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Associated Press
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer will not attend this week's Southeastern Conference media days after learning that attorneys in a lawsuit against the NCAA plan to subpoena him at the event in Alabama.
Attorneys representing a former Alabama assistant coach have accused Fulmer of conspiring with the NCAA in bringing down the Crimson Tide football program by speaking to an NCAA investigator four years ago. Alabama was placed on five years probation in 2002 after the NCAA uncovered recruiting violations that included payments to players from boosters.
"I am not attending media days because of the legal circus that has been created by an isolated group of attorneys. They want to hijack media days for their own benefit, but I am not going to allow that to happen," Fulmer said in a statement Monday. "This day is for the players. They should be center stage instead of this small group of lawyers who intend on attacking the integrity of the NCAA's enforcement process."
University president John Petersen and athletic director Mike Hamilton defended their decision to protect Fulmer from an onslaught of media attention and the threat of being served a subpoena.
"I don't think this is tucking and running," Hamilton said at a Monday night news conference.
One of the attorneys notified SEC commissioner Mike Slive that Fulmer would be issued a subpoena at media days if the coach did not agree to give a deposition, the Tuscaloosa News reported Monday on its Web site.
Fulmer will be fined $10,000 by the SEC for not attending media days, but will be available to reporters Thursday via teleconference during the time he was supposed to appear in person. Players Michael Munoz and Kevin Burnett will attend as scheduled.
Petersen tried to persuade Slive not to fine Fulmer.
"I think we will potentially avert something that would not be in the best interest of the NCAA, the conference or the coach of the University of Tennessee," Petersen said.
Tennessee officials voiced their concern last week about Fulmer's safety in Birmingham while meeting with reporters at the annual SEC event. Fulmer was scheduled to appear the same day Alabama coach Mike Shula and two players are on the agenda.
Media days is held in a hotel and many fans -- mostly of Alabama -- go there to watch the players and coaches.
In 2000, Fulmer was interviewed three times by an NCAA investigator looking into possible recruiting violations at Alabama. Other coaches from the SEC and the Big Ten conference also spoke to investigators, according to NCAA documents. Some, including Fulmer, also testified before a grand jury in Memphis that indicted Alabama booster Logan Young allegedly paid $150,000 to steer prospect Albert Means to Alabama in 1999.
Attorney Tommy Gallion and his colleagues, who are representing former Tide coach Ronnie Cottrell in a lawsuit against the NCAA, have alleged Fulmer provided information to the NCAA in exchange for the NCAA overlooking violations at Tennessee.
Fulmer has defended his actions in the past, but had not said much at length publicly about it until Monday's statement.
"When you get behind all the smoke and the big pile of lawsuits, the truth still stands: rules were broken, an investigation proved it, those who broke the rules admitted their guilt, and a university paid the price. There are a few people who cannot accept the truth, so they file lawsuits hoping the truth will go away," Fulmer said.
"As one of several coaches contacted by the NCAA regarding these serious violations by a small group of boosters, my response was honest, in line with our code of conduct, and the right thing to do."
Former Alabama recruit and Tennessee player Kenny Smith also has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fulmer for telling the NCAA investigator he heard there were rumors Smith's mother was involved with a Tide assistant.
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I don't blame CPF for not going. Who was the idiot that scheduled him behind Shula in the first freakin' place? I know, I know, it was scheduled last year, but still..
If Slive (whom I intensely dislike) wants the entire conferenc represented, let 'em send Sanders, Chavis or ANY assistant coach. Slive wants FULMER because he attracts a crowd along with their money.
I think Coach Fulmer is getting a raw deal out of this whole mess and it really ticks me off. "Secret" testimony should remain secret. I am not naive enough to think the University of Tennessee runs a spotless program, but no one can convince me that, had BAMA been approached for dirt on UT, and had the dirt existed, that Bama personnel would not have been been lined up to the Tennessee border to dish it out. Gallion and Finebaum can slander CPF all day long and heaven forbid that anyone say a word about it. But let our coach expose a corrupt booster, coach and program and there's hell to pay. Where is the fairness in that?
I AM MAD!!
:furious3:
If Slive (whom I intensely dislike) wants the entire conferenc represented, let 'em send Sanders, Chavis or ANY assistant coach. Slive wants FULMER because he attracts a crowd along with their money.
I think Coach Fulmer is getting a raw deal out of this whole mess and it really ticks me off. "Secret" testimony should remain secret. I am not naive enough to think the University of Tennessee runs a spotless program, but no one can convince me that, had BAMA been approached for dirt on UT, and had the dirt existed, that Bama personnel would not have been been lined up to the Tennessee border to dish it out. Gallion and Finebaum can slander CPF all day long and heaven forbid that anyone say a word about it. But let our coach expose a corrupt booster, coach and program and there's hell to pay. Where is the fairness in that?
I AM MAD!!
:furious3:
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If the OTHER coaches and personnel who testified about Bama would stand behind CPF, it would be a different story. I don't think CPF has mentioned any other names through all of this although we have to KNOW he could. And why was ONLY Fulmer mentioned in this mess? Something's rotten and there is more to this than meets the eye.
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