Binghamton University continues to face challenges within the athletic department, as men’s basketball coach Kevin Broadus was placed on an indefinite paid leave of absence Wednesday.
The move came after State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher sent a memo Monday requesting the full cooperation of President Lois DeFleur with the investigation of “allegations of misconduct at Binghamton.”
In regard to Broadus’ leave, James Norris, interim athletic director at BU, said that the “continuing incidents of concern” related to the men’s basketball program do not measure up to the University’s high standards.
The decision to place Broadus on leave came after he broke NCAA recruiting rules on Oct. 6 by speaking face-to-face with two potential recruits one day after the contact period deadline for recruitment had passed.
“After discussions with President Lois DeFleur and Vice President James Van Voorst, earlier today I placed Coach Kevin Broadus on paid leave of absence from his head coaching duties until further notice,” Norris said in a statement.
Assistant coach Mark Macon will assume the duties of head coach on an interim basis.
“He is an excellent coach and I have every confidence in his ability to provide strong leadership to the team. Our players have worked very hard in preparing for the upcoming season and I am looking forward to working with Mark in guiding the basketball program in a positive and successful direction,” Norris said.
According to Norris, Broadus has agreed to cooperate with the upcoming athletic program audit being conducted by retired Judge Judith Kaye.
In addition to Broadus’ cooperation with the audit, Zimpher, in the memo, requested that DeFleur have all of her faculty and staff produce any information that can assist in Kaye’s review.
The review, or audit, is one of four changes that DeFleur announced, which included the resignation of Joel Thirer as athletic director. On Oct. 2, Zimpher announced that SUNY would oversee this review.
On Oct. 14, Provost Mary Ann Swain sent Zimpher’s memo to the dean, vice provost and director of each department at BU, informing them to notify every individual on their staff to comply with the chancellor’s requests.
In response to Zimpher’s appeal, Swain requested the faculty to “compile a list of anyone we believe to have relevant information by the close of business Thursday.”
Based on Zimpher’s memo, Kaye’s investigation will include, but will not be limited to: the examination of BU’s compliance with NCAA and America East policies and procedures, impact of intercollegiate athletics on campus culture and the institutional mission, budget procedures and reports, fundraising practices of the athletic department, recruiting of athletes, alcohol or drug use by athletes — including drug testing, counseling, prevention and treatment — SUNY system administration oversight by Binghamton and any and all aspects of the men’s basketball program.
“Until further notice, you are required to preserve from alteration or destruction all documents that may be relevant that were received or dated at any time,” Zimpher said in the memo.
According to Zimpher, relevant documents must be maintained regardless of whether the information is privileged or confidential, others have copies of the document or the age of the document would ordinarily require it to be destroyed.
“This type of request is common for reviews which require an examination of documents. We will cooperate fully with the request and the review,” said James Van Voorst, vice president for administration at BU.