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Tuesday, March 24, 1998

Assistant coach takes responsibility for unlawful release of grades

AUSTIN (AP) - University of Texas assistant basketball coach Eddie Oran says he is responsible for releasing the academic progress report of freshman guard Luke Axtell.

In a fax to the new media today, Eddie Oran said he didn't realize he couldn't make the information public.

Federal law prohibits school officials from releasing the grades of any student without permission from the student or his family.

"I apologize if I have embarrassed Luke Axtell, our program, or the University of Texas," Oran said." It was totally unintentional."

The university is investigating the situation, but Vice Provost Patricia Ohlendorf did not return calls Monday.

Oran released the information to KVET-AM, UT's flagship station, last week. KVET broadcast parts of it on Wednesday.

Oran, who has been at the university since 1983, said he was not ordered to release the information, and never discussed it with anyone until being interviewed by UT attorneys. He said he was responding to false information.

"I took this action after reading a quote in the (newspaper) that I knew was inaccurate," Oran said. "I took it upon myself to let the local media know the truth."

Controversy has mounted since March 9, when Axtell and three other players met with UT Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds to air their problems with basketball coach Tom Penders and the basketball program. The other players present were freshman center Chris Mihm, sophomore forward Gabe Muoneke and freshman guard Bernard Smith.

Penders announced last week that he was suspending Axtell indefinitely for academic reasons.

The same night, Axtell told the Austin American-Statesman he was transferring from UT.