Gambling probe targets baseball players
JASON ARKLEY
Sportswriter
Ohio University Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt confirmed Friday that several Ohio University baseball players are under investigation because of allegations of illegal gambling.
Hocutt said the investigation stems from an anonymous tip he received in late November.
"I immediately took the allegations to the Ohio (University) Police Department and they have launched an investigation," Hocutt said.
Hocutt said the National Collegiate Athletic Association has already been notified of the matter and will likely conduct its own inquiry.
"We'll continue to cooperate with them as they begin to look into it," Hocutt said.
Because the investigation is ongoing, Hocutt would not delve into specifics or say how many baseball players are being investigated. He did say he believed the alleged gambling involved "sports wagering." However, the athletes are not accused of betting on Bobcat sports, he said.
"It appears the situation is limited in scope and does not involve betting on Ohio sports," he said. "But because it's an active police investigation that's currently ongoing, I can't share with you all the details at this time."
Hocutt said both he and OU head baseball coach Joe Carbone received the same anonymous tip at the same time in November.
After turning the matter over to OUPD, the OU Athletics Department has had little input in the investigation, Hocutt said.
"We immediately turned it over to OUPD and since that time our involvement has not been much. It's been out of our hands," he said. "We received the e-mail, we turned it over to the appropriate forces and we've not been involved in the investigation."
Hocutt would not say what type of sports wagering the athletes were accused of.
"Gambling is illegal in many aspects," he added. "As far as how you define certain aspects of sports wagering, I think it could be defined into many categories. But, at this point and time, I don't think I can expand further on their involvement."
Hocutt wouldn't speculate on what type of fallout may follow if the allegations are proved to have merit and charges are eventually filed.
He insisted more information would become available once the investigation is complete.
"We want to make sure the lines of communication are open and everything is transparent through this. We have nothing to hide," he said. "But at the same time, we have to cooperate with OUPD and the investigation until it's completed, as well."
Hocutt said OU is "proactive" in its approach to educating student-athletes about the pitfalls associated with sports wagering. The issue is addressed in the OU student-athlete code of conduct, and all student-athletes are required to sign the NCAA Student-Athlete Statement form that states they have not participated in nor are aware of any gambling activities, Hocutt said.
OU brought in a guest speaker last year, a former member of an organized crime family, to speak about the dangers of gambling and sports wagering.
"I feel we as a department have not been negligent on the topic. I'm prepared to take the appropriate action as the investigation is completed," Hocutt said. "I think sports wagering is a serious issue that is recognized in intercollegiate athletics, and athletics as a whole, as something that is a problem. My initial reaction was hope that the allegations were false.
"I guess they still could be," he added. "The investigation is not complete, but, at the same time, I was hoping it was something that there was nothing to it."
JASON ARKLEY
Sportswriter
Ohio University Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt confirmed Friday that several Ohio University baseball players are under investigation because of allegations of illegal gambling.
Hocutt said the investigation stems from an anonymous tip he received in late November.
"I immediately took the allegations to the Ohio (University) Police Department and they have launched an investigation," Hocutt said.
Hocutt said the National Collegiate Athletic Association has already been notified of the matter and will likely conduct its own inquiry.
"We'll continue to cooperate with them as they begin to look into it," Hocutt said.
Because the investigation is ongoing, Hocutt would not delve into specifics or say how many baseball players are being investigated. He did say he believed the alleged gambling involved "sports wagering." However, the athletes are not accused of betting on Bobcat sports, he said.
"It appears the situation is limited in scope and does not involve betting on Ohio sports," he said. "But because it's an active police investigation that's currently ongoing, I can't share with you all the details at this time."
Hocutt said both he and OU head baseball coach Joe Carbone received the same anonymous tip at the same time in November.
After turning the matter over to OUPD, the OU Athletics Department has had little input in the investigation, Hocutt said.
"We immediately turned it over to OUPD and since that time our involvement has not been much. It's been out of our hands," he said. "We received the e-mail, we turned it over to the appropriate forces and we've not been involved in the investigation."
Hocutt would not say what type of sports wagering the athletes were accused of.
"Gambling is illegal in many aspects," he added. "As far as how you define certain aspects of sports wagering, I think it could be defined into many categories. But, at this point and time, I don't think I can expand further on their involvement."
Hocutt wouldn't speculate on what type of fallout may follow if the allegations are proved to have merit and charges are eventually filed.
He insisted more information would become available once the investigation is complete.
"We want to make sure the lines of communication are open and everything is transparent through this. We have nothing to hide," he said. "But at the same time, we have to cooperate with OUPD and the investigation until it's completed, as well."
Hocutt said OU is "proactive" in its approach to educating student-athletes about the pitfalls associated with sports wagering. The issue is addressed in the OU student-athlete code of conduct, and all student-athletes are required to sign the NCAA Student-Athlete Statement form that states they have not participated in nor are aware of any gambling activities, Hocutt said.
OU brought in a guest speaker last year, a former member of an organized crime family, to speak about the dangers of gambling and sports wagering.
"I feel we as a department have not been negligent on the topic. I'm prepared to take the appropriate action as the investigation is completed," Hocutt said. "I think sports wagering is a serious issue that is recognized in intercollegiate athletics, and athletics as a whole, as something that is a problem. My initial reaction was hope that the allegations were false.
"I guess they still could be," he added. "The investigation is not complete, but, at the same time, I was hoping it was something that there was nothing to it."
