PEORIA — Bradley University issued two statements on Saturday afternoon for its decision to deny access to longtime Journal Star beat writer Dave Reynolds at the university's media day event Friday at Renaissance Coliseum. The first included an apology and formally acknowledged that Reynolds' access to the team had been restored.

Bradley University president Gary Roberts followed with his own statement in which, notably, he said, "There is certainly no formal policy at Bradley University that allows for barring or limiting access to any member of the media or any media outlet. If that has occurred, it was inconsistent with Bradley’s general attitude toward the media and what I would regard as the implicit policy of the University.

"Going forward, all employees of Bradley University will be informed that it is Bradley’s policy that all members of the media are to be treated on a non-discriminatory basis when it comes to access to information and people."

Friday's media day event was part of the walk-up to Selection Sunday and Bradley's upcoming NCAA tournament appearance, which it earned with an automatic bid from winning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.

BU's initial statement, issued by associate athletic director for communications and event and facility operations Bobby Parker:

"The Bradley athletics staff appreciates the importance of having a media presence presenting fair and accurate coverage. We recognize that the media is not responsible for promoting the Bradley brand and that was never our expectation. We did not handle this situation appropriately and for that we apologize. Peoria Journal Star reporter Dave Reynolds will have equivalent media access to cover the Braves and Bradley athletics will continue to work on its relationship with the Peoria Journal Star. We are one day away from Selection Sunday and our focus and attention needs to be on the success of our student athletes."

Shortly after that, Bradley University president Gary Roberts issued his own statement:

"The article in the Peoria Journal Star on Saturday, March 16, relating to the Bradley men’s basketball program’s interaction with Peoria Journal Star writer Dave Reynolds took me by surprise. I knew there were issues between Dave and Coach Wardle in the past and I was under the impression that those issues had been resolved.

"I do not know for sure what happened between Dave Reynolds and representatives of the men’s basketball program other than what is recounted in the article. I am also unaware and unclear about any policy that the men’s basketball program has informally applied to Dave or anyone else. I will certainly look into the matter. What I can say at this time is the following:

"1. I personally and Bradley University institutionally do not believe that it is the job or duty of anyone in the media or any media outlet to promote Bradley’s brand. It is the media’s job to report the news and facts in a truthful and unbiased way and occasionally to express opinions that are reasoned and based on accurate facts as best they know them.

"2. There is certainly no formal policy at Bradley University that allows for barring or limiting access to any member of the media or any media outlet. If that has occurred, it was inconsistent with Bradley’s general attitude toward the media and what I would regard as the implicit policy of the University.

"3. Going forward, all employees of Bradley University will be informed that it is Bradley’s policy that all members of the media are to be treated on a non-discriminatory basis when it comes to access to information and people.

"I hope this clarifies the position of Bradley University that some have called into question.

"Bradley’s men’s basketball team has come a long way and accomplished much this year. Everyone associated with Bradley should be proud and excited for this outstanding group of young men who have distinguished themselves not only on the basketball court but in the classroom and the community as well. We want very much to focus on these young men and their accomplishments and to prepare for our participation in the NCAA Tournament. This time should not be about a quarrel between adults that may have led to missteps that will not be repeated. Go Braves!"

Reynolds, who has covered the Braves for 29 years for the Journal Star and is a three-time Illinois Sports Writer of the Year, accepted the university's apology and plans to cover the team's watch party on Selection Sunday.

"I’m pleased that my access to Bradley basketball has been restored by the university so I can do my job as the team’s beat writer," Reynolds said. "Journal Star readers, many of whom are Bradley basketball fans, have long been provided detailed coverage of the Braves. They have been denied that expectation various times during the past month as my access to players and the head coach was limited to post-game comments.

"I accept the apology from Bradley Athletics and hope we can all move forward in a professional manner as the Braves prepare for the NCAA tournament. I would also like to thank President Roberts for establishing a policy for media access to the university's representatives.”

It's unknown if Bradley head coach Brian Wardle will apologize or meet with Reynolds — Wardle had no statement in any Bradley reaction Saturday — but both men will be at the Selection Sunday event.

Dave Eminian covers the Rivermen and Chiefs for the Journal Star, and writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. Reach him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.