The Binghamton Bearcats are still under fire as their athletic department is still being audited and their basketball coach has been placed on an indefinite paid leave of absence.
After starting the semester without basketball star Emanuel “Tiki” Mayben, who was arrested for selling cocaine, losing five other players for reasons the college will not disclose, and Athletics Director Joel Thirer resigning, Binghamton has yet to see an end to this strife.
Jim Norris, interim athletics director would not elaborate on the charges brought against the released players.
“I prefer to discuss the student athletes who will be representing us as opposed to the individuals who will not be representing us,” said Norris in an email.
The team and its former players reached the first round of the NCAA last season.
The audit of the department is currently being led by retired New York Chief Judge Judith Kaye and is overseen by the SUNY Board of Trustees.
“The review (audit) is in the preliminary stages and our department plans to fully cooperate with the Review Team,” said Norris. The forced leave of Coach Kevin Broadus is not connected to the findings of the audit, which have yet to be released, said Norris.
Mark Macon, the assistant coach, will take over Broadus, who has been accused of harassing professors about grades for players and recruiting questionable athletes.
“As President (Lois) DeFleur indicated when she made the announcement, the audit will review our athletic program to ensure that we are following America East and NCAA policies and procedures, and that we are providing the best possible experiences for our student-athletes,” said Binghamton Public Relations Representative Gail Glover.
According to The New York Times, Kaye has interviewed DeFleur and athletics officials.
CUNYAC commissioner Zak Ivkovic expressed relief to CUNY’s athletics in Division III.
“We are thankful for being Division III because we want students to exceed academically,” he said. “We don’t need to have students come to school solely to play sports, if they do then they shouldn’t be at CUNY.”
'Cats under fire
Published: Monday, November 9, 2009
Updated: Monday, November 9, 2009 01:11
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