Oregon tackle says he improperly received $100
Monday, September 1, 2008 10:40 AM PDT
PORTLAND (AP) — Oregon offensive tackle Fenuki Tupou missed the Ducks’ season-opening win over Washington because he accepted a meal and received $100 from the representative of a professional sport management firm, the university said Sunday.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound senior served the one-game, NCAA-imposed suspension Saturday after reporting his actions to the athletic department earlier in the week and turning the money over to its compliance office, said Dave Williford, a department spokesman.
Tupou told university officials he met with a representative of LMM Sports Management at a Eugene restaurant in July. The representative, according to Tupou, paid for the $10 meal and gave him five $20 bills during a parting handshake.
Tupou said he tried to return the cash several times, but was refused. According to NCAA bylaws, athletes can meet with agents, but can’t accept any benefits or enter a formal agreement until their playing eligibility is complete.
Williford said the university notified the Pacific-10 Conference and the NCAA.
‘‘I’m sorry that I allowed myself to be put in this situation,’’ Tupou said. ‘‘I apologized to my teammates and coaches. It will not happen again.’’
