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List of attorneys for Tennessee athletes composed of 6 UT law grads

The University of Tennessee athletic department's list of attorneys for athletes is comprised of six Tennessee law school graduates.

The list was obtained by both the Tennesseean and the Knoxville News-Sentinel via a public records request. The list had been publicly mentioned by Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart, who said in February the school had a list, similar to a phone book, of attorneys that it would provide to athletes if they needed it.

From The Tennesseean:

All six attorneys are University of Tennessee College of Law graduates. Most have direct ties to the athletics department. One is a prominent booster. Another is a football color commentator for the university’s television and radio network. Two have served on the athletics board. Three have served as adjunct professors or university lecturers. Two of the attorneys have long track records of representing student athletes and coaches that stretches back more than a decade.

The list was prepared specifically for student-athletes "after an education discussion on decision making," according to Ryan Robinson, UT's senior associate athletics director for communications.

The list also says "we do not recommend any individual attorneys, you may choose any one you would like."

A judge denied a motion Tuesday to dismiss a multi-plaintiff sexual assualt suit against the university. The suit, filed in February, alleges that the school had an environment of indifference towards sexual assault and helped accused athletes find attorneys for their legal issues.

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Per a statement from an NCAA spokesperson to the News-Sentinel, the list isn't against NCAA rules. A UT spokesperson said the list was provided to one player "as far as we can tell."

“Recommendations or providing a list of attorneys is not necessarily an issue, provided the student-athlete pays the going rate for similar services in the locale,” Dent wrote. “There are concerns if the institution is arranging for free or discounted services not available to all students.”

The News-Sentinel notes the school didn't reveal when athletes were talked to about their decision-making and that it declined comment when asked if students who aren't athletes also have access to a reference list of attorneys from the university.

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The color commentator on the list is Timothy Priest, a former UT football player. He told the Tennessean he hasn't represented a player in 20 years. Christopher Coffey, another lawyer on the list (and who represented former wide receiver Von Pearson), is listed as one of the 90 potential witnesses in the suit against the school. Another, Jeffrey Hagood, is Curt Maggitt's attorney. Former wide receiver Drae Bowles alleged in an affidavit that Maggitt punched him after Bowles helped a woman accusing two former players of sexual assault.

It's not unprecedented for a lawyer to be used frequently by athletes at a school. Tim Jansen, who represented Jameis Winston while he was at Florida State, was called "The athlete's go-to attorney" in a Tallahassee Democrat profile that's available in a PDF on Jansen's law office website.

Knoxville police have previously said they will end the practice of "courtesy calls" to Tennessee coaches. Phone records showed that police talked to coach Butch Jones in the hours after an alleged sexual assault involving former players A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams in November 2014.

Hart also said in February that he trusted Jones "implicitly" after Bowles' affidavit also said Jones called Bowles a "traitor."

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!