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NCAA probe of St. John's not finished
Posted: Wednesday February 16, 2000 12:08 AM
NEW YORK (AP) -- The NCAA, which ordered St. John's guard Erick Barkley suspended earlier this month, is continuing its investigation of other players on the team, the Daily News confirmed for Wednesday. Coach Mike Jarvis said he had received no official notice but that he has heard the NCAA inquiry is not over. "I'm not worried about them coming back," Jarvis said. "We've got nothing to hide." Jarvis said much the same thing before Tuesday night's game at Boston College: "I have nothing to be concerned about." He said there needs to be changes made in the way the NCAA handles investigations. "Everything won't end until things are changed," he said. "Hopefully this program will be about change. This speaks in the necessity in the way business is done. "One of the things that has to happen is concern for the student and his rights," he said. "This is not about St. John's. It's about every kid that plays basketball." St. John's issued a statement before the game saying it has "not hired an investigator. St. John's has hired someone to represent us and work with the NCAA in its information-gathering process. In this way, we will protect the interests of our student-athletes. This is not someone who will independently investigate anything. Again, this is someone who will protect the interests of our student athletes." Earlier Tuesday, in a statement, St. John's athletic director Ed Maneta said, "We understand the NCAA has additional questions. We do not know the specific nature of those questions. We will cooperate and provide them with the information they need." The Daily News reported that the NCAA is probing alleged violations of its rules regarding gifts to athletes and potentially improper relationships between St. John's players and people outside the university who may be acting as representatives of sports agents. The paper said that a jewelry store near the St. John's campus had been selling items to a number of players, a practice that began with Ron Artest, who played two years before declaring for the NBA draft. Artest now plays for the Chicago Bulls. Barkley was suspended for three games because of what the NCAA said was an improper benefit when he swapped cars with the brother of his former summer league coach. St. John's appealed and the suspension was reduced to two games.
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