Allegations have been stated that former women’s basketball players at Missouri Western have received improper benefits during their playing careers.

President James Scanlon has appointed a team of Beth Wheeler, director of external relations, and Dan Nicoson, vice president for university advancement, to conduct the investigation. Wheeler declined comment and Nicoson was unable to be reached by press time.

The women’s basketball team has already had a rocky off-season. Their head coach, Josh Keister, left the program to be an assistant coach at Texas Christian University.

Ashleigh Curry, a standout on last year’s team, has been ruled ineligiable  until at least January. Senior Jill Johnson believes the team can recover and  be successful.

“We have such a young team that they were not around for all this, so they think this is what it’s like,” Johnson said.

If the investigation finds that improper benefits were given there could be harsh penalties for the program. The team could lose scholarships, be put on probation or be suspended from post-season play.

Missouri Western brought forth the violations themselves. Kent Heier, assistant director of public relations, felt that was an important fact.

No timetable has been set as to when the investigation will be complete. President Scanlon wants a thorough investigation.

“My overriding desire in this matter is to obtain a complete and unbiased reveiw of the facts so that the full truth is discovered,” Scanlon said in a press release. “Only in this way can the university maintain its integrity.”

Once the report is issued the NCAA will decide what the punishments will be for Missouri Western. No matter what the investigation turns up this has shined a negative light on the Missouri Western women’s basketball team.