UT denies Woolridge committed a violation

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

KNOXVILLE -- University of Tennessee officials squelched a report Monday night that basketball player Renaldo Woolridge committed any NCAA violations over the weekend.

According to the reports, the junior forward rented out the upstairs portion of an off-campus bar to film part of a hip-hop video free of charge, which could have been a violation of rules regarding improper benefits and preferential treatment.

UT officials said that research done by the school's compliance staff found that no violation occurred because nothing was recorded and Woolridge simply was scouting the location for possible future use.

Woolridge's talents as a hip-hop artist under the name "Swiperboy" are well-documented, and his music videos have been shown at UT football and basketball games.

He has been working exclusively with the Volunteers' scout team, has played in only two games since the end of November and did not dress for Saturday's loss to Connecticut because of an ankle injury.

"We're very supportive of Renaldo as a student and very supportive of him in his major in film and communication, particularly with a very unique talent," UT coach Bruce Pearl said at a weekly news conference Monday.

"We encourage him to be the best he can be in both pursuits, academically as well as through basketball, [but] there's got to be a balance there.


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