Michigan Suspends Marcus Ray

Michigan strong safety Marcus Ray was suspended indefinitely Thursday due to allegations of improper contact with an agent.

Coach Lloyd Carr said the allegations of improper contact with a sports agent in July have been provided to the NCAA.

Michigan is conducting its own investigation, but athletic director Tom Goss said the NCAA isn't conducting one yet. Calls left with NCAA headquarters in Overland Park, Kan., were not immediately returned.

If the NCAA investigates and finds wrongdoing, possible discipline could include forfeiture of this season's first two games -- a moot point because the Wolverines are 0-2.

He said the allegations came to light because somebody apparently contacted the NCAA. But neither Carr nor Goss knows how it happened.

"I had no inkling of anything like this until I got a call yesterday morning," Carr said.

Ray, a fifth-year senior and one of three captains, started every game in Michigan's undefeated road to a national title last year and in 1996. He also started in both of Michigan's games this year.

Ray was an All-Big Ten selection and a second team All-American last season.

In explaining the decision to suspend Ray, Carr said the university spends a great deal of time making sure players know the rules and are warned repeatedly about contacts with agents.

"It goes beyond a few dollars or use of a car. It goes to the heart of this thing, and that's gambling," Carr said.

In 1995, Ray and two other Michigan football players pleaded guilty to using another student's credit card without the owner's consent. They were accused of using the card to buy gas and less than $300 worth of merchandise at a mall.

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