
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993                   TAG: 9305110038
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press and staff reports
DATELINE: KANSAS CITY, MO.                                LENGTH: Medium

SCHULTZ'S FUTURE ARRIVES TODAY

On the eve of the NCAA's long-awaited announcement of his fate, Dick Schultz didn't sound like a man about to lose his job.

Outwardly at least, the NCAA's executive director maintained the same upbeat attitude he struck shortly after the executive committee reached a decision on him last week.

"I think everything is going to work out best for Dick Schultz and for the association," Schultz said from his office Monday. "I believe I've been treated very fairly."

A news conference was scheduled for this afternoon to announce the decision of the executive committee, which spent three days considering allegations that Schultz, despite his denials, had knowledge of an improper loan program while athletic director at Virginia.

The report filed by special investigator James Park will be released today. Park was hired by the NCAA to determine the degree of Schultz's involvement. Sources said it was Park's opinion that Schultz knew of the loans.

Schultz and Joseph Crowley, president of the NCAA and chairman of the executive committee, are scheduled to take part in the news conference.

"I've been deluged with phone calls and letters from people voicing their support," Schultz said. "I've heard from people within and without the association. That is very gratifying."

Schultz, 63, who succeeded Walter Byers as NCAA boss on Sept. 1, 1987, is not accused of any wrongdoing while with the NCAA. The allegations stem from his time as Virginia athletic director from 1981-87 when no-interest loans were made available to athletes in violation of NCAA rules.

For that and other violations, Virginia was docked four football scholarships by the NCAA Infractions Committee last week.

The committee invoked a four-year statute of limitations and reviewed only the period from May 1987 to May 1991 in its investigation. But Crowley said the executive committee had considered Schultz's entire period of involvement.

It is the first time in the NCAA's history that an investigation has reached into the executive director's office.

by CNB