Jan. 10, 2001

LAS VEGAS - Statement by UNLV President Dr. Carol C. Harter responding to rumors about the UNLV men's basketball program:

"There has been a great deal of speculation over the past few days about the status of the UNLV men's basketball program. Because this program is so important to the community at large, I intend to consider all the long-term coaching options available to us very carefully. There is no specific timetable for this period of due diligence.

"I would also like to remind our supporters in the community that we are in the midst of the basketball season and I am enormously pleased with how coach Max Good has brought the team together during a difficult transitional period. But, we are facing a myriad of challenging issues on campus this year, not the least of which is our upcoming work with the legislature to improve all of our university programs, with particular emphasis on academic development.

"Working with the UNLV Director of Athletics Charles Cavagnaro, I intend to report back to the community as soon as possible on our long-term decisions about men's basketball. Until then, I believe it's counterproductive for the university to partake in day-to-day speculation."