Murray State University Athletics
Murray State Announces Decision On Brown, Chiles
3/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State men's basketball player Kelvin Brown will not participate in the Racers' first-round game of the NCAA Tournament against Illinois on Friday, MSU athletic director E.W. Dennison announced today.
Junior guard Adam Chiles will be allowed to play on Friday, said Dennison.
"We are aware of the misdemeanor charge against two of our athletes," Dennison said Tuesday. "In order to maintain the integrity of Murray State University and the athletic department, we have conducted an investigation and had conversations with the county attorney, chief of police, various witnesses and the attorney representing the student-athletes."
Neither player has been in the Racers' starting lineup in over a month dating back to MSU's Feb. 14 game at Austin Peay, which was Chiles last stint as a starter.
Dennison said that the university must be fair to its student-athletes and, "above all they are entitled to a fair determination concerning whether they should be suspended from participation in a most important university athletic event.
"Let us be clear that our decision should not reflect our opinion on the ultimate guilt or innocence of these athletes. That is the decision that is being made by local judicial system.
"Based on the information we have been furnished, coupled with the past records of the student-athletes, Kelvin Brown has been suspended from the team indefinitely," Dennison said. "On the other hand, the information regarding Adam Chiles does not in our opinion merit his suspension from the team and he will be allowed to participate in the NCAA Tournament."
First-year Murray State head coach Mick Cronin said: "The incidents involving two of our players this past weekend are very regretful to say the least. I fully support the actions of the university and the athletic department. Further, I would like to say that it is my sincere hope that the Murray State faculty, fans, alumni and community understand that the basketball program has the same integrity and standards as our great university. We will continue to take disciplinary action as we have in the past when warranted. Although the timing and circumstances of the situation are unfortunate, we must act in the best interest of all parties concerned."
Said Chiles, "I appreciate the support I am receiving from Murray State University, the athletic department and Coach Cronin. I am looking forward to competing with my teammates in the NCAA tournament."
Murray State (28-5), the No. 12 seed, will take on No. 5-seed Illinois (24-6) on Friday in Columbus, Ohio. Tipoff is set for 11:25 a.m. CT.
