Arizona state Sen. T.J. Shope calls for ABOR investigation into ASU's Ray Anderson

Arizona Republic An Arizona state senator is calling for the Arizona Board of Regents to investigate Arizona State University Athletic Director Ray Anderson. An Arizona state senator is calling on the Arizona Board of Regents to investigate Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson for a "raft of improprieties and frankly embarrassing issues. " The senator, Republican T.

J. Shope Jr. from Coolidge, sent the letter to ABOR President Fred DuVal on Wednesday, according to a post from the official X account (formerly Twitter) for the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus.

The caption on the post with the letter said: "TODAY: @TJShope sends letter calling for investigation into disastrous leadership of Arizona State University’s athletic department and the fallout for their student-athletes at this publicly funded institution. " Why would Shope send the letter to DuVal instead of to Arizona State University President Michael Crow? The senator addressed that situation in the letter, writing, "I have lost faith that action will be taken at the university level, given the near decade of inaction during Mr. Anderson's tenure, which is why I look to you.

" In the letter, Shope cites several instances for investigating Anderson, including the "questionable hiring" of Herm Edwards and later the buyout of Edwards' contract when Arizona State fired him last season, writing that the issues during Anderson's time at the school led "one to wonder just what is next and whether anyone is holding anyone accountable. " Shope called on ABOR to act, writing, "I would like answers to what the Board has done or plans to do, in investigate what happened, why it happened, should it have happened, and to possible hold someone accountable for the following" before going into more items that have happened during Anderson's time as ASU's athletic director. The senator also questioned ASU's decision to self-impose a bowl ban this season, and the timing of the announcement, which made it impossible for undergraduates to transfer this season.

"Frankly, the public needs to see action taken," Shope wrote. "Leadership should immediately be displayed by you and the rest of the Board in taking that action. Without it, it is clear that nothing will be done.

Reputational harm is being done to ASU, both at home and nationally. " This isn't the first time Shope has questioned ASU's athletic leadership. In February of last year, he called for Michael Crow to fire Ray Anderson and Herm Edwards, writing: I questioned the Herm Edwards experiment at the time but got excited with initial results.

However, with the seeming total lack of institutional control, it’s time for @michaelcrow to make changes within @ASU Athletics by releasing Ray Anderson & Edwards of their responsibilities. " .