From MOP Squad Sports

NCAA Miscellaneous Sports
Southeast Missouri fires AD, puts coach on leave
By Associated Press
Oct 9, 2008 - 2:39:19 PM

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State fired athletic director Don Kaverman and placed men's basketball coach Scott Edgar on administrative leave on Thursday, three days after the NCAA notified the school of possible major violations.

The moves come three months after the women's basketball team forfeited 44 victories, and the women's and men's programs were placed on two years' probation for major and secondary violations.

"Given the serious nature of the allegations, we believed we needed to take immediate action in the best interests of the program," school president Kenneth W. Dobbins said in a statement.

The school said in a release that Kaverman was placed on administrative leave until Feb. 7, 2009, when his contract will end. Associate athletic director Cindy Gannon was appointed interim AD.

Edgar will keep his job title while the school waits for the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions to hear the case and releases its findings. The school plans to name an acting coach "in the near future."

The allegations were outlined in a letter received Monday by Dobbins from David Price, the NCAA's vice president for enforcement.

The school has until Jan. 2 to submit a formal response to the allegations. The NCAA could consider the case at either of two meetings, Feb. 20-21 in San Diego or April 17-18 in Indianapolis.

Dobbins said in a statement that the school was cooperating with the NCAA investigation.

"Southeast is extremely disappointed with these allegations," he said. "We consider the allegations of NCAA infractions regarding our men's basketball program to be a matter of significant concern."

Gannon did not want to be considered a candidate to replace Kaverman, and the school hopes to hire a replacement by Jan. 1.

The search will be coordinated by William Carr III, of Carr Sports Associates, Inc., of Gainesville, Fla. The company conducted a review of the athletic program last spring, and will be on campus Oct. 22-23.



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