Ray Keller sez Hi! http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/sports/1075718829304281.xml
Ex-UA booster files suit, says NCAA defamed him 02/02/04 DOUG SEGREST News staff writer Former University of Alabama booster Ray Keller has filed a defamation suit against the NCAA seeking unspecified damages. Attorneys for Keller filed the suit in Jackson County court Friday afternoon. The suit said Keller was a private figure who was defamed, slandered and libeled by the NCAA when he was accused of being a "rogue Alabama booster" two years ago. "This case is completely about the failure, on two parts, of the NCAA," said Archie Lamb, Keller's Birmingham attorney. "Clearly, these people decided that what they wanted was a truth that would be without any further corroboration. "And because of their complete lack of responsibility toward anyone, they called my client (a rogue booster) without any proof." Keller, a Jackson County timber man, claims in the suit he has been publicly shamed by the NCAA's charges and has seen his business suffer dramatically. Keller lost out on a real estate deal valued at $1 million or more and was denied an opportunity to become a board member of the North Jackson Bank due to defamation, the suit claims. Keller has also incurred legal fees of $15,000. Lamb said the NCAA "essentially ignored" the requests. The Keller suit is not connected to other suits spinning off from the NCAA's investigation of the Alabama football program - notably a defamation suit filed by former Tide assistant coaches Ronnie Cottrell and Ivy Williams in Tuscaloosa. Lamb said the cases are different and will be pursued differently. "I think one of the things we're trying to do is make sure this case remains on point," Lamb said Sunday. "That point is: They committed an illegal act by libeling and slandering Ray." In addition to the NCAA, the suit names NCAA Executive Director Myles Brand, former Executive Director Cedric Dempsey, NCAA Committee on Infractions Chairman Thomas Yeager, NCAA investigator Rich Johanningmeier, former NCAA media relations specialists Jane Jankowski and Laronica Conway and recruiting analyst Tom Culpepper. The defendants have 30 days upon receiving notice of the complaint to respond. The suit claims the NCAA had information from Keller and other witnesses "that directly contradicted" information that was dispersed in a Feb. 1, 2002 press conference announcing penalties against Alabama due, in part, to the recruitment of former North Jackson standout defensive lineman Kenny Smith. The suit claims that Keller's injuries are ongoing, because the charges remain on the NCAA's Web site. The NCAA claimed that Keller, Memphis businessman Logan Young and Chattanooga car salesman Wendell Smith conspired to entice Kenny Smith into signing a letter of intent with Alabama. Specifically, the NCAA said Keller told Smith's father he knew of someone who could "help" the player if he signed with Alabama. The NCAA also said Keller visited the Smiths at their home "in an effort to recruit the young man" and made at least four cash payments of $100 each to the prospect. In the announcement of findings against Alabama and the boosters, the NCAA's Yeager used strong language in describing Keller as a "pariah" who "brought unprecedented disgrace" to the Crimson Tide football program for his part in a "completely sordid affair." Don Word, a Scottsboro attorney and Lamb's co-counsel in the suit, wrote the NCAA twice in the last year. The NCAA's findings against Keller, said the letter, were "false and without merit and ... based on a flawed, unprofessional and conspiratorial investigation." The letter requests a dialogue to resolve the issues. ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
