TU Athletic Director Ross Parmley Fired Amid Illegal Gambling Investigation

Following an illegal gambling scandal that lead to his suspension, University of Tulsa's Athletic Director Ross Parmley has been fired, effective immediately.

TU President Steadman Upham announced the termination Tuesday evening.

Upham said Parmley told him about the FBI investigation into his involvement in illegal gambling in October of 2011. He said Parmley assured him his involvement in the investigation was solely through a family connection, and that he had never wagered on college or professional sports. And Upham said he took Parmley at his word that was the truth.

"Ross Parmley is keenly aware of NCAA regulations regarding compliance issues. Since being hired by TU in 2005, Ross has annually signed an official document certifying that he had no knowledge of any NCAA violations involving The University of Tulsa," Upham wrote in a letter to the TU students, staff, and alumni.

11/28/2012 Related Story: TU In Contact With NCAA About Suspended Athletic Director

Upham said, on November 27, while Upham was out of the country, Parmley admitted that he had not been truthful in that 2011 conversation.

Upham, who had retired on June 30 of this year and was reinstated two months later when the new president, Geoffrey Orsak, was fired, said the university is cooperating fully with officials from the NCAA, who are investigating the matter.

"This is a difficult time for TU and we realize that our reputation is at stake. We are determined to uncover the whole truth in every aspect of this case," Upham said.

Upham said he and his family are currently out of the country on a trip, which had been planned long before he returned as president, but that he would be in contact with university administrators and the TU Board of Trustees until he returns to Tulsa at the end of the month.