NCAA investigator reportedly was in Tulsa on Monday
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
12/04/12 at 5:10 AM
Related Story: NCAA on Tulsa campus to begin gambling investigation
A University of Tulsa source confirmed that an NCAA investigator was in Tulsa on Monday but did not visit the TU campus.
What was uncertain Monday night was whether the NCAA representative was able to conduct an interview with Golden Hurricane athletic director Ross Parmley.
Last week, Parmley was placed on paid administrative leave after he was referred to as an "admitted gambler" in an affidavit unsealed in a case against an Oklahoma City gambling figure.
The NCAA prohibits student-athletes and athletic department staff members from "wagering on intercollegiate, amateur and professional sports in which the Association conducts championships."
While he is on administrative leave, it is believed Parmley is not allowed to use his campus office. Because Parmley was not on campus, because he did not respond to Tulsa World text messages and because the NCAA will not comment on the investigation, it is not known - even by university officials - whether the TU athletic director was interviewed by the NCAA investigator.
After Parmley's gambling was publicized, the NCAA issued a statement: "The NCAA opposes all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering because it ... can undermine the integrity of college sports."
On Monday, the TU source said Parmley's employment status has not changed - the 39-year-old Lawton native has not resigned or been fired.
Neither TU President Steadman Upham nor Acting Athletic Director Kevan Buck has publicly addressed the Parmley situation, but the university did release a statement last week: "This is an ongoing investigation. ... We are fully cooperating with the NCAA."
A source told The Oklahoman last week Parmley admitted to using an Internet gambling site during an unspecified number of years. In 2005 and 2006, Parmley was a member of the TU football program's support staff. He went on to occupy various positions within the university's athletic administration, and was promoted to the full-time athletic director's position in January.
The Oklahoman's source indicated Parmley told FBI agents, during the 2011 interview, that TU was aware of his cooperation with the investigation of Oklahoma City gambling figure Teddy Mitchell.
If Parmley fully disclosed the details of the situation, TU would have been aware of his gambling activity before he was promoted to the athletic director's position.
The affidavit revealed Parmley, sometime in November or December of 2009, made a payment to Mitchell of $1,782. The affidavit says the payment appears in Mitchell's records as a "gambling payment."
In November-December 2009, Parmley was TU's associate athletic director for administration and operations.
Bill Haisten 918-581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
