NCAA Notifies Missouri of Investigation

Missouri officials said they have been officially notified that the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. is investigating possible violations by the school’s basketball program.

That marks the first time the NCAA has formally investigated Missouri’s programs, said Chancellor Haskell Monroe, who announced the investigation after a meeting of the school’s Intercollegiate Athletic Committee. Monroe said he received notice from NCAA officials Wednesday.

Monroe and Athletic Director Dick Tamburo said officials have not said when the investigation will be complete. The school has hired a Chicago law firm to review its compliance with NCAA rules, and both men said that investigation would continue.

The mother of former Missouri player P.J. Mays has released to the media a tape recording of a conversation between herself and Bob Sundvold, a Missouri assistant coach. In the tape, Sundvold apparently talks about purchasing an airline ticket for Mays, in violation of NCAA rules, and asks Mrs. Mays to help cover it up.

Mays has also said he and other freshmen players received $100 each from Sundvold, who has been suspended pending the school’s investigation.