Donna Shalala On Miami Scandal, NCAA Investigation: ‘We Will Vigorously Pursue The Truth’

University of Miami president Donna Shalala has made her first statement on the ongoing NCAA investigation into Miami’s relationship with Hurricanes booster and convicted felon Nevin Shapiro, and it’s predictably heavy on gravitas and “We will get to the bottom of this”-type talk.

As a member of the University family, I am upset, disheartened, and saddened by the recent allegations leveled against some current and past student-athletes and members of our Athletic Department. Make no mistake—I regard these allegations with the utmost of seriousness and understand the concern of so many of you. We will vigorously pursue the truth, wherever that path may lead, and I have insisted upon complete, honest, and transparent cooperation with the NCAA from our staff and students. Our counsel is working jointly with the NCAA Enforcement Division in a thorough and meticulous investigation, which will require our patience.Shalala has been Miami’s president since 2001, making her the only president at the helm of the university during the years Shapiro allegedly gave thousands of impermissible benefits to scores of Hurricanes players. And Shalala appeared with Shapiro for at least one fund-raiser at a Miami bowling alley, as evidenced by a picture Yahoo! Sports obtained from Shapiro.

It’s not hard to believe that Donna Shalala regards these allegations with “the utmost of seriousness.” But it is hard to believe that she didn’t know of anything Shapiro did before the allegations that sparked an NCAA investigation.

For more on Shapiro’s claims and the NCAA investigation into Miami football, stay with this StoryStream. To check in with Miami fans, head over to The 7th Floor.