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Despite Chris Webber’s comments, Michigan AD denies apology to former hoops star
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Even though Michigan basketball legend Chris Webber said in a report that Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel apologized to him in private, Manuel is denying ever doing so, according to The Detroit News.
During an interview with ESPN on Sept. 8, Webber claimed that Manuel apologized for how the school dealt with the fallout an investigation that Webber took illegal payments by former booster Ed Martin.
“I was told by the athletic department at the University of Michigan that he was sorry,” Webber said in the ESPN interview.
Manuel relayed a different message in a statement to the Detroit News.
“I enjoyed the conversation with Chris when we met several years ago,” Manuel said to The Detroit News. “But I can assure you I made no apology to Chris and, for those who may be curious, I never asked him to apologize to the University of Michigan. I wish Chris nothing but the best, and I’m that he’s being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.”
Webber was the primary piece during Michigan’s Fab Five era, guiding the Wolverines to back-to-back NCAA national title game appearances in 1992 and 1993. Webber was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft. During his NBA career, Webber was Rookie of the Year and All-NBA five times. Webber’s No. 4 is retired by the Sacramento Kings.
Webber is being inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 11.
Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.