NCAA Begins Official Investigation of the University of Michigan

The NCAA officially began its investigation of the University of Michigan football team today, the Michigan Daily reports. The Detroit Free Press originally reported the possible violation, saying the team had surpassed the allotted mandatory workout hours, which prompted the investigation.

A letter sent to the university by the NCAA maps out where the investigation will go, according to the Daily.

Possible violations "primarily involve the matters under review by the institution and the enforcement staff concerning the football program," the report says. The NCAA plans to finish the investigation by the end of the year.

"As I said at the onset of this review, we place the highest importance on the well-being of our student-athletes and the integrity of our program," a statement by University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman says. "We continue to work with the NCAA to ensure that a thorough and objective investigation occurs."

University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez wasn't surprised by the announcement of the official investigation.

"It's just following up and continuing their questions in their investigations," Rodriguez tells the Free Press. "As mentioned, everybody at the university and football program have been, and will always be, totally cooperative."

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