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ASU looking into baseball allegations
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ASU head coach Pat Murphy mutters some words under his breath in disagreement with an umpire’s call strike on one of his batters during action against Oregon State on Sunday.
Ralph Freso, Tribune
Arizona State is conducting an investigation into allegations of academic fraud and recruiting violations within the baseball program.
Mikel Moreno, a graduate manager with the Sun Devil baseball team last year and a player on ASU’s 1998 College World Series team, said he made the allegations to ASU compliance officer Bill Kennedy last month shortly after his mother, Roberta Cole, called school officials to allege cheating within the program.
“ASU approached me and I told the truth,” Moreno told the Tribune.
The allegations also concern potential improprieties regarding improper use of training at Athletes’ Performance in Tempe and players working for ASU baseball head coach Pat Murphy’s non-profit PTM Programs for Youth.
Virgil Renzulli, ASU’s vice president for public affairs, confirmed Monday an internal probe has been ongoing since January. ASU has hired the Indianapolis-based law firm of Ice Miller to investigate the charges. Moreno said he was interviewed by attorneys with Ice Miller approximately 3 1/2 weeks ago.
“There was a complaint and allegation made of alleged improper athletic behavior,” Renzulli said. “Right now there is no indication of any wrongdoing done.”
Murphy said he is confident no major violations will be found.
“Our program is not perfect,” Murphy said. “But any program in the country can be investigated and there can be some ticky-tack things that are found that are not major but are oversights. ... But there will be no things found in our program that were done to gain an advantage.”
Murphy said he is aware of the charges made by Moreno, a Mesa High product. Murphy said he told Moreno last December that he no longer could be part of the baseball program.
“The bottom line is when you have a disgruntled employee that leaves and makes it his mark to take down the program, you go through some uncomfortable times,” Murphy said. “The university has to do its due diligence. ... My fear is people won’t remember what happens after the accusations are made. I hope everybody stays tune for the outcome.”
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