TU's athletic director is fired
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
12/05/12 at 7:18 AM
After only 11 months, the University of Tulsa is again looking for a new athletic director.
On Tuesday night, TU President Steadman Upham announced the firing of athletic director Ross Parmley.
"I am saddened to make this announcement for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I considered Ross a true professional in intercollegiate athletics," Upham said in a statement released to media outlets along with TU faculty, staff and students.
Parmley, 39, was placed on paid administrative leave last week. The university suspended Parmley after a court affidavit - unsealed two weeks ago in Oklahoma City - described him as an "admitted gambler." The affidavit was part of an ongoing FBI investigation into an alleged Oklahoma City gambling ring.
Teddy Mitchell of Oklahoma City was indicted in September on gambling charges. In an 84-page affidavit related to the case, Oklahoma City-based FBI Special Agent Francis Bowles Jr. alleged Parmley had placed bets with Mitchell.
Parmley's name was mentioned once in the affidavit, and it was alleged he paid Mitchell $1,782 to cover gambling debts in the November-December period of 2009. At that time, Parmley was TU's associate athletic director for administration and operations.
Parmley has not been charged with a crime, but, TU acknowledges, the NCAA has launched an investigation into Parmley's gambling activity. A source told The Oklahoman last week Parmley admitted to the FBI he gambled on college football and NFL games.
The NCAA prohibits athletic department staff members from "wagering on intercollegiate, amateur and professional sports in which the Association conducts championships."
"This is a difficult time for TU and we realize that our reputation is at stake," Upham said.
On Monday, a TU source confirmed an NCAA investigator was in Tulsa but did not visit the TU campus. No one within the TU administration has been able to confirm whether the NCAA representative was able to conduct an interview with Parmley.
"In October of 2011, Ross shared with me that he was cooperating in an FBI investigation pertaining to a gambling case in Oklahoma City," Upham said. "At that time, Ross told me that his involvement was solely due to a family connection to the person being investigated. For obvious reasons, I specifically asked Ross if he had ever gambled on college or professional sports. He told me that friendly wagers during personal golf games constituted the extent of his betting activities. I took Ross at his word, as I had no reason to believe there had been any acts of impropriety or non-compliance.
"At that time, he was still interim athletic director at the University of Tulsa. Approximately three months later, in January of 2012, based on a record of exemplary service of more than six years, Ross was promoted to the position of athletic director."
Kevan Buck, TU's executive vice president and treasurer, is serving as the university's acting athletic director. TU has not announced a timeline for conducting a search for Parmley's successor.
In response to a text message Tuesday night, Parmley directed questions to his Stillwater-based attorney, Trace Morgan.
An attempt to contact Morgan was unsuccessful.
"Ross Parmley is keenly aware of NCAA regulations regarding compliance issues," Upham said. "Since being hired by TU in 2005, Ross has annually signed an official document certifying that he had no knowledge of any NCAA violations involving the University of Tulsa.
"On Tuesday, Nov. 27, while I was out of the country, Ross admitted he had not been truthful in our 2011 conversation. He was immediately put on administrative leave and, at my direction, TU notified the NCAA. We subsequently launched our own internal investigation. TU is cooperating fully with officials from the NCAA to comprehensively investigate this matter and bring it to a fair and proper conclusion."
Upham and his wife are in South America. He is scheduled to return to Tulsa at the end of this month.
Upham hired Parmley in January to replace Bubba Cunningham, who left TU to become athletic director at North Carolina. Upham retired from TU in June but returned when new President Geoffrey Orsak was fired for undisclosed reasons after serving in the position only 74 days. Buck was TU's acting president before Upham's return. After Parmley's gambling was publicized last week, 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."
Last week, a source close to the situation told the Tulsa World that Parmley never gambled on any event involving TU teams.
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 then occupied various positions within the university's athletic administration and was promoted to the full-time athletic director's position in January.
A Lawton native, Parmley received his master's degree from the University of Oklahoma. After serving as the Norman Public Schools athletic director, he became TU's director of football operations in 2005.
Mitchell, 58, is accused of making millions of dollars by hosting illegal high-stakes poker games at his home and by illegally taking bets on sporting events. He has pleaded not guilty.
President Steadman Upham's letter
University of Tulsa President Steadman Upham sent a letter to faculty, staff and TU students on Tuesday night announcing the firing of Athletic Director Ross Parmley. Here is the letter:
Today, I terminated the employment of TU Athletic Director Ross Parmley. His departure from the university is effective immediately.
I am saddened to make this announcement for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I considered Ross a true professional in intercollegiate athletics.
In October of 2011, Ross shared with me that he was cooperating in an FBI investigation pertaining to a gambling case in Oklahoma City. At that time, Ross told me that his involvement was solely due to a family connection to the person being investigated. For obvious reasons, I specifically asked Ross if he had ever gambled on college or professional sports. He told me that friendly wagers during personal golf games constituted the extent of his betting activities. I took Ross at his word, as I had no reason to believe there had been any acts of impropriety or non-compliance.
At that time he was still interim athletic director at The University of Tulsa.
Approximately three months later, in January of 2012, based on a record of exemplary service of more than 6 years, Ross was promoted to the position of Athletic Director.
Ross Parmley is keenly aware of NCAA regulations regarding compliance issues. Since being hired by TU in 2005, Ross has annually signed an official document certifying that he had no knowledge of any NCAA violations involving The University of Tulsa.
On Tuesday, November 27, while I was out of the country, Ross admitted he had not been truthful in our 2011 conversation. He was immediately put on administrative leave and, at my direction, TU notified the NCAA. We subsequently launched our own internal investigation.
TU is cooperating fully with officials from the NCAA to comprehensively investigate this matter and bring it to a fair and proper conclusion. This is a difficult time for TU and we realize that our reputation is at stake. We are determined to uncover the whole truth in every aspect of this case.
Peggy and I are currently in South America on a multi-country trip that had been planned long before my return to the Presidency in October. We are scheduled to return at the end of the month. In the interim, I will remain in close communication with senior university administrators, the members of the TU Board of Trustees and officials from the NCAA in regard to this matter.
The greatest professional privilege I have ever been given has been to serve as President of The University of Tulsa. I will continue to strive toward ever-greater moments for the students, faculty, staff and alumni of this exceptional institution of higher education. Thank you for your continued commitment to our future.
Bill Haisten 918-581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Ross Parmley: He has not been charged with a crime but the NCAA has launched an investigation into his gambling activity.
Upham
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