Michigan cracks down on bets

Michigan Daily ANN ARBOR, Mich. (U-WIRE) -- As point-shaving, fixed games and monetary bets among college athletes become more visible, the University of Michigan said Monday it is not ready to take a gamble with the reputation of its athletic program. In the midst of potential accusations against the Northwestern University football team, the Michigan Athletic Department proposed a "zero tolerance" policy regarding gambling in college athletics -- a policy that would make it illegal for athletes to make bets or be involved with organized gambling. "We're pretty much going to take a hard-line stance," said Derrick Gragg, the University's director of compliance. Northwestern currently is undergoing an investigation involving possible incidents of fixed games during at least two football games in the 1994 season that could result in indictments. The investigation follows two former Northwestern basketball players admitting earlier this year that they were involved in point shaving against three teams during the 1994-95 season. Michigan Athletic Director Tom Goss said it is important to realize that gambling is a national issue, and the University could also be at risk. "You have to make it known locally and do something to get out in front of it," Goss said this summer, when he initially proposed the idea of a no-tolerance policy. The policy, which stemmed from researching the measures taken by other colleges to stop illegal gambling, was part of a hand-out at a conference held Sunday and Monday that played host to more than 500 student athletes, coaches and assistants. "Some schools do these policies as reactionary measures," Gragg said, adding that because the Northwestern incident hit so close to home, it made the situation more real. "We're trying to be proactive." The new policy, which will be discussed with every athletic team at the beginning of its season, is one the Athletic Department wants to implement formally, according to Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations Bruce Madej. "All you can do is make [athletes] aware of the problem, show them how they can get involved and show them how to not be involved," Madej said, adding that after the University adopts such strict measures, it would be hard to imagine any athlete attempting to bet or gamble.