news roundup

ENTHRALLING photo of a hotel hallway via Angelique Chengelis on Twitter.

First, the official statement from Athletic Director Dave Brandon:

Statement from Dave Brandon Regarding NCAA Hearing

We feel that the committee gave us a full and fair hearing today. Our statements today were similar to those we provided the NCAA earlier this summer: We own the mistakes we have made, we fixed some process and communication problems that caused them, and we’re keeping a close eye on this so it doesn’t happen again.

I’m proud of the extra effort everyone has been putting into compliance these past several months. Rich and his staff – in coordination with the compliance group – have been working together to keep us on the right track.

We will await the committee’s decision and we will not speculate about the outcome – we must let the process play out. We won’t comment further on this matter until after we receive the committee’s decision.

We’re going to get back to Michigan now for the start of what we expect will be a great football season.

And now, a few relevant newsbits via the Twitter accounts of the various beat reporters who were there:

[freepwolverines]

Principal U-M figures are arriving in hearing room, including Rich Rodriguez... Others arriving: former GA Alex Herron, UM s/c coach Mike Barwis, Big Ten comm Jim Delany, UM asst AD Scott Draper, UM fac rep Percy Bates. about 9 hours ago via UberTwitter

Brandon wouldn't specify timetable for hearing committee ruling, but said it was a wide range of dates 23 minutes ago via tweetdeck

[mikerothstein]

Fmr. Michigan grad assistant Alex Herron (who we think is him) left the meeting room at 9:15 a.m. Not sure if he is done for the day.
about 7 hours ago via TweetDeck

11:07. Alex Herron returns to the meeting room off semi-full elevator, buttoning up his tan suit as he walked.

Alex Herron is out of the room and heads into the elevator and gone with Draper. Lunch break.
about 5 hours ago

[chengelis]

Brandon on hearing: "It was a very fair and thorough hearing ... feel good about fact we were given that opp and the process will continue."
22 minutes ago via web

NCAA's final UM verdict? Brandon: "They gave us wide ranges of time. But that's not for me to announce."
19 minutes ago via web

Brandon: "We're going to go back (to UM), we're going to prepare for a great season were going to get focused on football"..et ncaa do work
12 minutes ago via web

And non-hearing news:

[chengelis]

U-M AD Dave Brandon sent the waiting media pizza and breadsticks -- Domino's, of course. Greatly appreciated.

[mikerothstein]

BigTen commish Jim Delany just chatted with the media about some conference issues. Said divisions should be decided within a month.

Michigan AD Dave Brandon on U-M/#Alabama: "Maybe."

Brandon talked with NotreDame AD Jack Swarbrick & said they are "excited about continuing the series and working on what form that takes."

More on the NCAA hearing after the weekend.