Michigan Athletics Donor Tim Smith Denies Involvement in NCAA Investigation, Calls It a Witch Hunt

Smith Claims He is Being Used as a Scapegoat in the Scandal

Michigan athletics donor Tim Smith has vehemently denied any involvement in the NCAA’s investigation into the university’s advance scouting scheme. Smith believes that he is being unfairly targeted and used as a “fall guy” to blame for the scandal. In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Smith expressed his frustration over the allegations and stated that he never funded former UM staff member Connor Stalions’ in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme.

The Allegations Against Smith

According to Yahoo Sports, evidence from the NCAA’s investigation refers to an athletics donor named “Uncle T” who partially funded Stalions’ venture. Smith, an alumni of the University of Michigan and CEO of a Detroit-based engineering solutions company, denies being “Uncle T” and states that he does not recognize the name. He insists that he never provided funding for Stalions and had a minimal relationship with him during his time at Michigan.

Smith Claims to Be a Victim of a Witch Hunt

Smith believes that he and Stalions are being unfairly targeted in the NCAA’s probe into the university. He alleges that they are being “thrown under the bus” and used as scapegoats to shift blame away from others involved in the scandal. Smith reveals that he was recently dismissed as a member of the school’s name, image, and likeness collective, Champions Circle. He received a text notification informing him of his expulsion without any prior communication from the officials.

Stalions’ Self-Funding and Motivation

Smith states that Stalions self-funded the sign-stealing effort by selling a home for over $100,000. He claims that Stalions was motivated by his desire to contribute to the success of the University of Michigan and was willing to go to great lengths for the football program. Smith asserts that Stalions paid for his flights to and from Ann Arbor before officially joining the university’s staff.

Smith’s Reputation and Connection to Michigan Athletics

Tim Smith is a respected Michigan supporter and a board member for the Champions Circle, an official partner of Michigan athletics. He has a long history with the university, graduating from Michigan’s Ross School of Business and having over 30 years of successful international business experience in automotive, technology, and defense industries. Smith and his wife, Jocelyn, are known for their unwavering support for the university.

Smith’s Allusions to Being a Victim

Smith expresses frustration over the recent events and the negative implications that come with being associated with the scandal. He reveals that he received a call from his attorney asking if he was “Uncle T,” to which he vehemently denied. Smith emphasizes that he has nothing to hide and would be willing to speak to officials from Michigan or the NCAA should they reach out to him.

Smith’s Belief That No Rules Were Broken

Despite the ongoing investigation, Smith firmly believes that Stalions’ scheme did not violate any rules. He claims that upon reading the rules, it is not evident that any wrongdoing took place. Smith remains confident in his innocence and hopes that the truth will prevail in due course.