EVANSVILLE, Ind. — In an attempt to clear the air, the University of Evansville broke its silence after Monday’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch column shone a negative light on the Purple Aces.

UE and athletics director Mark Spencer issued a 630-word statement Wednesday afternoon. It detailed the communication with the University of Missouri, which recently had its initial waiver rejected by the NCAA. It would have granted immediate eligibility to ex-Purple Aces’ basketball player and Evansville native Dru Smith.

Previously this week, UE had declined comment to both the Post-Dispatch and Courier & Press.

“UE declined to support inaccurate claims that represented the University of Evansville, its athletic department, coach (Walter) McCarty and his staff in a negative light,” stated the news release. “… the University of Evansville has not had any communication or impact on the waiver that was submitted by the University of Missouri to the NCAA.”

Ben Frederickson, who wrote the P-D column, cited an anonymous source close to Smith who blamed UE for not cooperating with the waiver request.

In Wednesday’s statement, UE gave a timeline of events that began on Oct. 9, when the Missouri compliance department reached out to discuss its intention to submit a waiver. It hoped to build a case that would allow Smith the opportunity to play this upcoming season instead of sitting out one year as a redshirt that NCAA transfer rules dictate.

“UM specifically asked if UE would support the claim that (Smith) would meet the “run off” standard regarding the new (Aces) coaching staff,” stated the release. “The “run off” standard is when a coaching staff communicates to the student-athlete that they will not have their financial aid renewed and they would not have a place on the team.”

UE said that Smith voluntarily withdrew from the program and was re-offered a scholarship and spot on the roster.

After Missouri filed the waiver, on Oct. 25, it again contacted UE compliance to inquire if the Aces ever told Smith they were not renew his scholarship. UE replied by pointing out in a meeting on the day former head coach Marty Simmons was fired in March that every player would have the opportunity to sign their financial aid agreement to secure their scholarship regardless of the coaching change.

“… McCarty, his staff and the entire athletic department went to great lengths to communicate with all of the student-athletes throughout the transition,” stated the release. “The student-athletes were included in the hiring process and Dru Smith was outspoken throughout that process in his support of the hiring of coach McCarty.”

Lastly, UE recalled an email on March 29 — six days after McCarty was hired — sent by Smith on March 29 that informed Spencer of his decision to transfer. According to Spencer’s email, the exact reasoning was “mainly because the opportunities that I have are too hard to pass up.”

UE also noted that there is no current legislation being proposed to change the NCAA transfer rule. It is up to the receiving institution (in this case, UM) to submit the waiver with supporting documentation.

The Aces did not corroborate with information it deemed to be inaccurate.

Reached via email on Wednesday, UM Athletics declined to share if it acted on information provided by Smith or if it was an attempt to convince UE to support a different rationale.

“As with all student-athletes transferring into Mizzou, we explore with them any wavier opportunities that might be available, however, it would be inappropriate to discuss those conversations publicly,” wrote Nick Joos, UM’s Deputy Athletics Director of Communications.

Smith, a 6-foot-3 guard who attended Evansville Reitz High School, remains in line to redshirt this season before he regains eligibility in 2019-20. He could have been a key contributor this winter for the Tigers after he averaged 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals as a sophomore at UE.

Follow Courier & Press reporter Pat Hickey on Twitter: @patmhickey.