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[ Originally posted 08.22.03 ]
Hart lashes back at FSU report
By The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, FL � Florida State's athletic
director criticized an investigation of his department by the school's
inspector general on Thursday as "antagonistic, inaccurate and caustic," but
conceded there could be better communication with university leaders.
David Hart, Jr., who served an eight-year
stint as East Carolina's AD before taking the FSU job in 1995, also said a
separate review of his department's operation by an outside consultant
"contains many errors and an alarming amount of misinformation."'
President T.K. Wetherell reorganized the
athletic department in June, moving many responsibilities to other areas of
the university to eliminate what the inspector general described as a
culture of isolation.
Hart, in a letter dated Aug. 15 to
Inspector General David Coury, disputed the assessment that his department
was isolated from the rest of the university.
"We are not, never have been, and will not
become a department that operates in a culture of isolation," wrote Hart,
who challenged several of the recommendations made by the internal review
and by MGT of America, the outside consultant.
He pointed to reviews from former President
Talbot "Sandy'' D'Alemberte, the Atlantic Coast Conference and a regularly
scheduled compliance review by the IG that never mentioned departmental
isolation.
"Many people have been hurt and embarrassed
by the publicity generated from the allegation of gambling by a
student-athlete," said Hart, who is in the middle of a lucrative 10-year
agreement approved by D'Alemberte. "It is time for us to move forward."
The IG report said the athletic
department's reporting system "exposes the university to significant risk
and shows lack of forethought and good judgment."
Wetherell said the department did not do
"its best work" in its investigation into numerous reports that quarterback
Adrian McPherson was gambling.
McPherson reached an agreement with Leon
County authorities this summer on two felony charges and a misdemeanor
gambling allegation. He is now attending Tennessee State.
Meanwhile, Wetherell is wrapping up his
initial evaluation on Hart � a report expected to be made public Monday.
In June, Wetherell said several areas of
the athletic department would report to other areas of the university and
not to the athletic director's office.
Nearly 60 recommendations for operational
changes were included in two reports presented to the trustees.
Copyright 2003 The Associated
Press. Bonesville.net contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
02/23/2007 10:36:51 AM
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