The Associated Press

OLEAN, N.Y. - Coach Jan van Breda Kolff said he welcomes an investigation into his troubled St. Bonaventure men's basketball team, already sanctioned by the Atlantic 10 Conference.

"I look forward to the day when the truth about all of this will be told," van Breda Kolff said Thursday in a statement. "We need to get answers to all the questions. We need to get to the bottom of this. I welcome, look forward to and will cooperate fully with an ongoing investigation."

Van Breda Kolff's comments were his first since Monday when the A-10 stripped St. Bonaventure of six conference victories and barred the team from the league's postseason play. The Bonnies were cited for using center Jamil Terrell, who failed to meet NCAA junior college transfer guidelines.

Bonnies players then boycotted their final two games of the season, leading to a public backlash against them.

The A-10 has not ruled out further sanctions against the school, and the NCAA holds the right to launch its own investigation and hand out further penalties.

Van Breda Kolff said he has never had an NCAA infraction or violation in his 17-year coaching career.

"I stand on my beliefs and my integrity," he said.

He did not say what role he played in recruiting Terrell or whether he knew the player was academically ineligible to transfer to St. Bonaventure last year.

School president Robert Wickenheiser has taken full responsibility for approving Terrell's transfer, despite acknowledging he had never before been involved in player eligibility decisions.

Terrell transferred last year after two seasons at Coastal Georgia Community College in Brunswick, Ga. He was ruled ineligible because he did not have an associate's degree from the school, but had earned a certificate in welding.

Senior forward Joe Shepherd told ESPN that players would reach the same decision to boycott the games despite the criticism since.

"We're not quitters. We've been dealt a bad hand in this. It's like they're erasing our season and that's not fair," said Shepherd, the first player to speak since the boycott was announced. "Everybody is lashing out at us. But it seems like we don't have anybody representing us."

Messages left with several players by The Associated Press were not returned. Many players left campus for the school's spring break.

Earlier Thursday, the school announced it would give refunds for Saturday's home game against Dayton, which was scheduled to be the Bonnies' season finale.

The school mailed a refund form to season-ticket holders, which included a letter signed by athletic director Gothard Lane and associate athletic director Derek Morel.

"The unfortunate events of recent days surrounding the St. Bonaventure men's basketball program have left many of our loyal fans, friends and alumni angry, confused and saddened," they wrote. "We certainly regret this situation and share those sentiments."

The form and letter also are available at the school's ticket office. Fans can get their money back or have their credit go toward their 2003-04 season tickets. Fans must return their original tickets to get a refund.