UT Chancellor Donde Plowman does not plan to back down from the NCAA, she explained on Wednesday. Plowman made headlines on Tuesday when her letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker was released and obtained by The Daily Beacon through a public records request.
Plowman stood by her letter on Wednesday, meeting with a small group of the media ahead of a regularly-scheduled cabinet meet-and-greet.
“If someone charges you or your family or your children with something that you didn’t do and you think it’s unfair, you’re going to speak up,” Plowman said.
“There was sort of no question in my mind about what to do. And I made that clear in the letter (to Baker). When you’re leading a university and someone attacks you and makes an allegation that isn’t true — I will always respond. And the most significant thing about that is I will always stand up for our student-athletes.”
Plowman’s fiery response to the NCAA comes after reports surfaced of an investigation regarding alleged violations relating to name, image and likeness. A source with direct knowledge confirmed to The Daily Beacon on Tuesday that Tennessee is being investigated by the NCAA.
Plowman denied any wrongdoing, again, in her short appearance on Wednesday. She also did not seem worried about the idea of a lack of institutional control charge, the most serious allegation a university can face.
“I’m so proud of this athletic department and this university,” Plowman said. “I have no concerns (about a lack of institutional control charge). What I have concerns about is the whole scene of college athletics, the landscape. Got to get that improved. That’s my concern.”
Plowman: “I was disappointed.”
The public records request included correspondence between Plowman’s office and Baker’s office.
Susan England, assistant to the chancellor, provided the NCAA with flexible dates and the chance for the meeting to be remote.
Baker declined the meeting.
“I was disappointed,” Plowman said on Wednesday. “He’s busy. You know I get that. But I was disappointed.”
Plowman mentioned the attempted meeting in her letter as well.
Politicians, fans support Plowman
Fans and government officials alike came out in support of Plowman shortly after her letter became public.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the state is suing the NCAA.
Plowman declined to comment on the suit, but she did speak on the support coming for outside the university.
“I’m thrilled. I mean, everyone loves this university,” Plowman said. “This is the state’s university. It belongs to the people of Tennessee. And to see the people who responded, I mean, it’s moving, and I really appreciate it.
“But we have great people that are in public office, in the state and in Washington, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their support.”
