SMU Officials Decide They Will Not Fight NCAA on Sanctions

SMU officials decided Monday not to file a lawsuit against the NCAA challenging the severe sanctions levied against the school’s football program last Friday.

“Our decision is that we will not file suit with the NCAA,” said former Texas Gov. William P. Clements, chairman of the school’s board of governors. “There are many contributing reasons for this. But our decision is that for the interests of SMU in the long term, it would not be the thing to do.

“We are embarrassed. We are sorry. We have been reprimanded. We will take our reprimand. We will grin and bear it. It is a bitter pill to swallow. But we will swallow it and take every effort to see that it doesn’t happen again.”

SMU, charged with 36 rules violations by the NCAA, was placed on probation for the sixth time. The Mustangs will have no scholarships next year and only 15 to offer in 1987. They also will not be allowed to appear on television in 1986 or to participate in bowl games the next two seasons.