April 6, 1992
Michigan’s “Fab Five” (a group of five stellar freshmen headlined by Chris Webber and Jalen Rose) lose to Duke in the NCAA championship game.
- Paul Wong
- Former “Fab Fiver” Jalen Rose, now with the Chicago Bulls. (AP PHOTO)
The fascination with the “Fab Five” raises the program to an all-time high in popularity across the nation.
May 5, 1993
After falling just short of a national title for the second straight year, Webber turns pro.
Unfortunately for Michigan, Webber allegedly received $280,000 in cash from Ed Martin before he became a professional.
Feb. 17, 1996
The program first comes under the microscope after Maurice Taylor’s Ford Explorer was involved in a rollover accident.
The expensive sport utility vehicle was the first public sign of possible extra benefits to basketball players.
March 4, 1997
The University’s first investigation is hampered because several players and coaches did not cooperate.
Michigan admits to two minor NCAA violations involving Ed Martin giving extra benefits to players and their families.
May 31, 1997
The Detroit Free Press reports that Martin gave money to Webber and Taylor.
The report said that the two were given at least $100,000. Taylor denied the charges.
Oct. 11, 1997
Two days after a second investigation by an outside law firm found no major violations, Michigan coach Steve Fisher is fired.
Seven months had passed since Fisher gave a public statement of support from then-President Lee Bollinger and then-Athletic Director Joe Roberson. Assistant coach Brian Ellerbe takes over the coaching duties.
April 28, 1999
The FBI and IRS raid a number of Detroit area homes in an effort to halt an illegal gambling ring in the area’s Ford plants.
Martin, a former Ford employee who led the ring, was found to have more than $20,000 cash, a loaded gun and gambling records in his home.
May 3, 2000
After agreeing to a plea bargain with the U.S. Attorney’s office in which he would have to disclose information about the cash payments to players, Martin backs out.
Martin told reporters that he would rather take his chance at a trial in which all evidence confiscated from him and his son could be used.
Aug. 10, 2000
Former Michigan players Louis Bullock and Robert Traylor are alleged to also have taken money from Martin.
Because Bullock played as recently as 1999, this may render the NCAA’s statute of limitations moot, as it extends beyond the time Martin was banned from the program.
Later that week the University decides to “let the whole thing play out” rather than launch its own investigation.
Sept. 19, 2000
Martin’s son Carlton, as part of a plea bargain agreement filed with the U.S. District Court, agrees to tell the University about previously unknown dealings surrounding the Michigan basketball team. He is not required to testify about his father’s gambling.
Carlton does not ultimately hold up his end of the plea bargain, and is imprisoned in a Pennsylvania prison.
Nov. 16, 2000
Former Michigan coaches Steve Fisher, Perry Watson and Brian Dutcher appear in Federal Court to testify before a grand jury.
March 21, 2002
The axe finally comes down on Martin and his wife Hilda, who are indicted on charges of illegal gambling, conspiracy and money laundering. Webber, Taylor, Traylor and Bullock are all mentioned in the indictment as beneficiaries of Martin’s laundering.
The total amount of monetary gifts adds up to over $600,000, with Webber receiving $280,000 between his freshman year at Detroit Country-Day and his sophomore year at Michigan.
May 28, 2002
Martin pleads guilty to a federal
conspiracy charge and the charge against his wife is dropped. As part of the plea bargain, Martin most likely faces 30-37 months in prison and agrees to fully cooperate with investigators from the federal government and the University. He also avoids his trial, originally scheduled for June 17.
What is next:
Sentencing is set for Aug.
29 at 2:00 p.m. Before that date, Martin is expected to give both his full testament to the federal government and meet with the University to help with their investigations.
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