SOURCE: Press & Sun

Binghamton University won't participate in the America East men's basketball tournament this month, BU announced tonight.

“With the controversy currently surrounding the program it is not appropriate we play in this year's post-season,” President Lois DeFleur said in a statement released through the university's sports information office.

She said the decision not to defend BU's 2009 conference tournament title is voluntary.
Binghamton last year won the tournament championship, which carries an automatic bid to the NCAA basketball tournament. But the program has undergone an implosion since then, dropping to fifth in the current conference standings after having coach Kevin Broadus placed on leave for a recruiting violation, and having six players kicked off the team for disciplinary reasons. Broadus' future with the program remains unclear.

“After numerous discussions and considerations of the possible distractions that may occur this weekend, Binghamton University has elected not to participate,” BU's statement said. It said the move “is being done voluntarily as part of our commitment to move forward as we develop a comprehensive plan to address the recommendations of the recent review.”

There has been concern that BU could face sanctions from the conference, and potentially the NCAA, after a report commissioned by the state university system found fault with the handling of athletics at BU. The four-month SUNY investigation - BU refers to it as a “review” - was led by retired Court of Appeals Chief Judge Judith Kaye and prepared at a cost of $913,000. It found problems related to crime and academic issues.

BU last week admitted to “missteps” as it grew its athletics program in the past several years. BU administrators have said they would address those issues, but did not outline a course of action.