Trial Witness Alleges Double Standard for Admission of Athletes at Georgia

Attorneys for former University of Georgia instructor Jan Kemp rested their case Wednesday after a top school official said Georgia had a separate admission requirement for revenue-producing athletes.

Virginia Trotter, vice president for academic affairs, testified in U.S. District Court that the university used different minimum Scholastic Aptitude Test scores when admitting athletes in such revenue-producing sports as football and basketball.

Trotter’s testimony came after attorneys produced a letter she received in March of 1982 from Vince Dooley, Georgia’s athletic director and head football coach.

“I am recommending an exception to our policy of not accepting for admission athletes of non-revenue-producing sports who score less than 650 on the college boards,” the letter said.

“As you can see from the attached, (name deleted), a sprinter from (word deleted) in Atlanta, is a blue-chip track and field prospect who has received fine letters of recommendation from both the principal’s office and the guidance office,” the letter said.

Kemp’s suit, naming Trotter and Leroy Ervin, Georgia developmental studies director, as defendants, contends she was fired in 1983 for protesting preferential treatment for athletes and other students. Kemp is seeking reinstatement, back pay and damages.

The university says Kemp was demoted from English coordinator to instructor, then dismissed because she was insubordinate and failed to publish sufficient scholarly work.