Michigan president Santa Ono sends message to Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti

In the wake of a sign-stealing investigation that has brought considerable negative press to Michigan, the university’s president has penned a letter to Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti.

In it, university president Santa J. Ono urges the Big Ten to use patience and wait for full facts to come to light via the NCAA investigation.

“We are fully cooperating with the NCAA in its investigation, as it seeks to separate the facts from irresponsible speculation seen in much of the public and social media discourse,” Ono wrote in an e-mail provided by The Wolverine.

“It’s precisely at these times — when all key facts are not known but others are all too comfortable offering strongly held opinion — that it is essential for everyone to ensure that investigations are conducted fairly and that conclusions are based on what actually happened. The reputation and livelihoods of coaches, students, and programs cannot be sacrificed in a rush to judgment, no matter how many and how loudly people protest otherwise. Due process matters.”

Michigan has been under NCAA investigation as a result of allegations that staffer Connor Stalions attended several games with the intent of sign-stealing from opponents in an effort to aid Michigan on the field. Doing so in person, for a future opponent that season, is an NCAA violation.

Because it’s a competitive integrity violation, there has been a push from other Big Ten members for the conference to enforce some discipline on Michigan.

Ono suggests that would be premature before any sign-stealing investigation is complete.

“We, as would any other member of the Big 10, deserve nothing less,” Ono wrote. “Our students, our coaches, our program—all are entitled to a fair, deliberate, thoughtful process. We are aware that other representatives of the Big10 are demanding that you take action now, before any meaningful investigation and full consideration of all the evidence. That is not something our conference rules permit. And we both know it is not what any other member would want if allegations were raised against their people or programs.

“The Big 10 has not informed us of any investigation of its own, as would be required under conference rules. And, to be clear, oral updates from NCAA enforcement staff do not and cannot constitute evidence, nor do we think the NCAA would ever intend for an oral update to be given that meaning or weight.

“The best course of action, the one far more likely to ascertain the facts, is to await the results of the NCAA investigation. But if you refuse to let the NCAA investigative process play out, the Big 10 may not take any action against the University or its players or coaches without commencing its own investigation and offering us the opportunity to provide our position. That is not just required by our conference rules; it is a matter of basic fairness. “

The sign-stealing investigation is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, and it’s unclear whether any action will occur in the near future despite the lobbying attempts by conference members.