University of Nevada Cleared of Gambling Allegations
Despite complaints which brought about investigations both internal and by the NCAA, the University of Nevada has been cleared of potential violations, including any concerning gambling, according to athletic director Cary Groth.
Former women's soccer coach Terri Patraw alleged she had been fired for reporting the illegal acts, which included the placing of sports bets by men's golf coach Rich Merritt. Merritt supposedly wagered at Reno sportsbooks.
Merritt has since resigned, although he denied the accusations against him. Merritt had been suspended at the start of the ten-month probe for three matches after being found guily of providing free meals and airline tickets to athletes.
Groth stated that the NCAA had found no evidence of a lack of institutional control, nor any gambling issues within the athletic department.
A spokesman for the NCAA said it was policy not to comment on an ongoing investigation, and it might be a few months before the inquiry was officially closed.
NCAA investigators are especially interested in any actions involving gambling by athletes, coaches, or members of athjletic departments. Just last month, a University of Toledo football player was charged with fixing games in a gambling scandal.
