AMHERST — University at Buffalo men’s basketball coach Reggie Witherspoon has suspended starting guard Andy Robinson indefinitely for his recent attempt to pay another student to complete his course work.
Robinson, who led the Bulls in scoring as a junior last season, admitted to posting the following message on the social networking Web site Facebook.com last week: “I am paying anybody who have read the book ‘there are no children here’ by Alex Kotlowitz $30-40 which in some classes you have to read at UB (even more money if you have to read the book a little more!!) to write a 3-4 page paper, on a couple questions which was assigned.”
The solicitation, which violates UB policies regarding academic integrity and could expose Robinson to charges of academic fraud, was discovered last Thursday by another UB student, who alerted reporters at UB’s student newspaper, The Spectrum. After contacting UB’s athletics communications department, The Spectrum published a story Friday under the headline, “Men’s basketball player solicits plagiarism on Facebook.”
Witherspoon said Robinson “has since taken corrective steps,” which, according to Paul Vecchio, associate athletic director/communications, included completing the reading and writing assignment on his own.
“I realize I made a mistake for which I take full responsibility and realize I must regain the trust of my teammates, fellow student-athletes and coaching staff,” Robinson said in a statement released by the university. “I have brought disappointment in myself and the university and for this I am truly sorry.”
Robinson will not be allowed to participate in offseason conditioning and individual skill workouts while the Office of the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education determines whether he will be disciplined.
After that decision is made, Witherspoon said he will evaluate Robinson’s position on the basketball team.
Robinson started 29 games last season and was the only Bull to average double figures (13.1) in points. He was an honorable mention on the all-Mid-American Conference team.
Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com
Sports
April 23, 2008
MEN'S BASKETBALL: UB suspends leading scorer
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