BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bob Goin
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SEATTLE -- University of Cincinnati athletic director Bob Goin said there was no "head-to-head combat" when the Bearcats men's basketball program went through its hearing Friday before the NCAA's committee on infractions.
With a number of rules violations charges against UC reduced or eliminated following a pre-hearing conference, Goin said UC spent the day explaining the circumstances by which the remaining violations occurred and the actions taken to prevent a recurrence.
Goin emerged from the six-hour hearing at the Madison Renaissance hotel certain the procedure went "tremendously well" but still unsure what the consequences would be. The resolution will not be known until the committee issues its decision in 4-6 weeks.
"They don't show their hand on that," Goin said. "They still have some stuff they'll read, they have some homework to do, they'll have some communication with each other -- and then they'll make their evaluation."
UC's hearing was scheduled to discuss charges of improper academic assistance in the establishment of point guard Charles Williams' eligibility, extra benefits to athletes such as forward Ruben Patterson and unethical conduct by assistant coach John Loyer and former team manager Tom Oakes, as well as a lightened charge the administration lacked appropriate control over the program. It was the culmination of a case that began 18 months ago.
The meeting room in which the hearing was conducted was unexpectedly cramped, with barely enough room to accommodate all the chairs required for the participants and the boxes of documents.
UC's case was presented primarily by attorney Mike Glazier, whose law firm conducted the internal investigation that led to a number of the charges.
Along with his attorney, Steve Owens of Kansas City, Mo., Loyer offered a personal defense.
"We were able to provide our evidence well," Loyer said, "and the committee seemed to earnestly listen to it, and you can't ask for more than that."
Loyer was charged with unethical conduct for "knowingly" violating NCAA rules and providing "false and misleading" testimony to investigators. He has been on administrative leave since last spring. Owens said Loyer disputes both charges and expects to be returned to his position if he is cleared.
"I've always been led to believe by the university that if John comes out of this OK, he's going to be reinstated," Owens said.
All parties had the opportunity to speak as well as answer questions, including coach Bob Huggins and Conference USA Commissioner Mike Slive. The latter made a closing statement on UC's behalf that stated the hiring of Goin was "ingenious" and that the problems with UC basketball occurred within a specific period of time and have been addressed. Slive called this "a whole new era."
A lot of UC's presentation regarded the arrival of Goin, who took over as athletic director two months after the firing of Gerald O'Dell. Goin was portrayed as an administrator capable enough to ensure the program complies with NCAA regulations.
Since Goin took over as AD, the university's position on what occurred in the Williams case changed, which led to the majority of the charges against UC in that circumstance to be challenged and then dropped -- regardless of the fact most were self-reported. "I think the process permitted a crystalizing of some issues, and some fell on our side," Goin said. "The severity is still to be judged."
UC's judgment is that its mistakes are worthy of a one-year probation during which the Bearcats will have three fewer recruiting visits available, will not be permitted to recruit junior-college players and will not bring incoming recruits to campus in the summer before they start school. Huggins will have the number of days he spends off-campus reduced.
The infractions committee may accept the self-imposed sanctions or issue harsher penalties.
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