Las Vegas’ Appeal Turned Down by NCAA

University of Nevada Las Vegas Athletic Director Brad Rothermel said he has been informed by NCAA officials that Las Vegas’ appeal of a ruling that four Rebel football players were ineligible last season has been turned down. The NCAA Council, meeting at the national convention in Nashville, has taken no formal action but a written decision is expected in the next few weeks.

The decision is hardly unexpected--the NCAA rarely overrules itself--and the crux of the matter won’t be resolved until a Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. compliance committee decides whether Las Vegas (which must forfeit all its games) will be stripped of the conference title and the profits from playing in the California Bowl.

Cal State Fullerton, PCAA runner-up, would be recipient of the championship and the Cal Bowl profits.