New developments in the University of Toledo point-shaving scandal

[clevfan]

UT point-shaving scandal
WTVG-- June 7, 2007 - New developments in the University of Toledo point-shaving scandal.

An old email has surfaced and it may shed more light on the controversy. The email is dated last November, but the university released it today.
It's between the school athletic director and the director of gambling activities for the NCAA. The NCAA representative writes: "... No additional investigation was warranted at this time." The spokesperson then invites the UT athletic director "to be involved in a discussion ... Regarding issues related to sports wagering within the mac conference."

Now, why is this important? For starters, the FBI investigation into Harvey "Scooter" McDougle came to light this past March. This email exchange took place in the fall, during football season. University administrators have maintained they knew nothing of the investigation before this spring.

A spokesperson also said the electronic version of this email cannot be retrieved, but this was a saved hard copy.

[clevfan]

Article published June 7, 2007

University of Toledo releases e-mail at center of game-betting case

BLADE STAFF


The University of Toledo this afternoon released an e-mail between its athletic director and the NCAA that pertained to their previous discussions over a "large bet" made on a game last year.

In the e-mail, Rachel Newman-Baker, NCAA director of gambling activities, told Mike O’Brien that: "You were correct that after careful review and based on the available information, it was determined that no additional investigation was warranted at this time. We appreciate your cooperation and prompt response to our requests."

She further asked Mr. O’Brien to be involved in future discussions related to sports wagering within the MAC conference.

Although the University of Toledo said it knew nothing before this spring of the FBI investigation involving football player Harvey "Scooter" McDougle, Jr., and alleged point-shaving schemes, UT officials later acknowledged that they had met with the NCAA during the 2006 football season to discuss a "large bet" made on a game last year.

On Oct. 11, three days before the Kent State-UT football game, Ms. Baker spoke at length with Mr. O’Brien, coach Tom Amstutz, and faculty representative James Klein regarding the bet that had been placed on the upcoming contest.

The Rockets lost the road game to the Golden Flashes 40-14.

Mr. O’Brien has declined to comment on what was specifically discussed in the meeting, but said that later in the year he e-mailed Ms. Newman-Baker — the same e-mail exchange that was released today — to follow up on the discussion.

University leaders released the e-mail exchange between Mr. O’Brien and Ms. Newman-Baker to the media after originally saying the e-mail could not be located. This afternoon, Tobin Klinger, a spokesman for the university, said they obtained a hard copy of the e-mail from a printout that Mr. O’Brien had made.

Mr. O’Brien previously said he had deleted the e-mail after reading it. The university still can’t locate an electronic copy of the e-mail.

The Blade previously had filed a public records request seeking documents pertaining to any NCAA investigations or probes related to game betting. Neither the e-mail nor the printout that was released yesterday was contained in that earlier request that was provided to The Blade.

[drunkguy]

since day 1 i have been surprised this hasn't gotten more attention


media usually jumps on scandals like this

[wolfman]

what was the line movement on the 40-14 kent st win?

[clevfan]

http://toledoblade.com/assets/pdf/TO2050567.PDF copy of email

Article published June 8, 2007

NCAA-UT e-mails are found, released
Exchange involved bet on football game

BLADE STAFF


The University of Toledo yesterday released e-mail correspondence between its athletic director and the NCAA that related to a discussion concerning an unusually "large bet" that had been placed on the Toledo-Kent State football game last season.

Rachel Newman-Baker, the NCAA's director of gambling activities, said in the e-mail to UT athletic director Mike O'Brien: "You were correct that after careful review and based on the available information, it was determined that no additional investigation was warranted at this time. We appreciate your cooperation and prompt response to our requests."

Ms. Newman-Baker also asked Mr. O'Brien to be involved in future discussions related to sports wagering within the MAC conference.

At a Savage Hall news conference on April 1, UT officials had said they were not aware before this spring of an FBI investigation involving football player Harvey "Scooter" McDougle, Jr., and alleged point-shaving on Toledo games.

UT officials later acknowledged that they had met with the NCAA in the fall of 2006 to discuss the "large bet."

On Oct. 11, three days before the Kent State-UT football game, Ms. Baker spoke at length with Mr. O'Brien, UT head coach Tom Amstutz, and faculty representative James Klein concerning the bet that had been placed on that game. Toledo lost the game, played at Kent, by a 40-14 score.

Mr. O'Brien has declined to comment on what was specifically discussed in the meeting, but said that later in the year he e-mailed Ms. Newman-Baker - the same e-mail exchange that was released yesterday - to follow up on their discussion.

University officials had originally said the e-mail could not be located, but yesterday UT spokesman Tobin Klinger said they obtained a hard copy of the e-mail from a printout that Mr. O'Brien had made. Mr. O'Brien previously said he had deleted the e-mail after reading it. The university has been unsuccessful in locating an electronic copy of the e-mail.

The Blade previously had filed a public records request seeking documents pertaining to any NCAA investigations or probes related to game betting. Neither the e-mail nor the printout that was released yesterday was contained in that earlier request that was provided to The Blade.

Mr. McDougle, who is suspended from the football team but, according to the university, remains on scholarship, was arrested by the FBI in March on charges that he conspired with a Detroit-area gambler to fix scores of UT games. The charges against Mr. McDougle were dropped in mid April in what federal prosecutors called "a procedural move." They added that the move would give U.S. attorneys more time to investigate the case, which remains open.

Earlier this week, Mr. McDougle's father told USA Today that he intended to send UT a letter requesting that his son be reinstated to the football team. Harvey McDougle, Sr., said his son is being used as a "scapegoat" by both UT and federal officials, and that the FBI was "falsely accusing" his son of involvement in the scheme.

Mr. McDougle, who missed most of the past two seasons following a serious knee injury, has one year of eligibility remaining. He had his best season in 2004, when the running back led the Rockets in rushing with 620 yards and seven touchdowns.