Office of the

President

Nov. 14, 2017

Dear UNT community,

Earlier this year, I shared with you the news that three former UNT students
associated with the men’s basketball program had been arrested for alleged
criminal activity, including promotion of prostitution and drug possession.

Neither of the former student-athletes nor the former student manager were
associated with the current basketball coaching staff, who are building a
championship culture by promoting a culture of safety, respect and
accountability – one in which our students are learning, growing and thriving.

After learning of the alleged criminal activities and, in an abundance of caution,

Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker and I decided to engage
Bond Schoeneck & King, nationally recognized experts on the management and
operation of collegiate athletics programs, to work with the UNT System Office
of General Counsel to conduct an independent, comprehensive review of the
culture and climate of the men’s basketball program and to learn what issues
might exist.

At the time, I pledged to be as transparent as possible with the university

community, which is why I am sharing the final results and conclusions of that
review with you today.

The significant findings are:

 There were no “red flags” or other indicators that individuals
outside of those involved in the alleged criminal events were aware
of the activity;
  The men’s basketball program under the prior coaching staff did
not create, encourage, condone, nor appear to tolerate the type of
behavior that was the subject of the arrests;
 There were no systemic cultural issues in the men’s basketball program;
 There is no indication of any persisting criminal activity with respect to
the current student-athletes;
 There were no systemic problems with how the men’s basketball student-
athletes interacted with female students or women in the university and
surrounding communities in general;
 There were instances of a lack of discipline and accountability under the
previous coaching staff; and
 A few former student-athletes of the men’s basketball program used
marijuana though the entire team was frequently warned and drug tested
as means of deterrence against its use.

I believe this review was valuable and that we will be a stronger athletics program
because of it. I have complete confidence in the direction of men’s basketball
under Coach Grant McCasland and in the leadership of Wren and his oversight of
athletics. They, and others in the department, have already made a positive
impact on the athletics program and are committed to ethics, integrity and
discipline.

Please continue to support our high-performing student-athletes and their

coaches, who are representing UNT with pride.

Sincerely,

Neal Smatresk
UNT President