Dooley Defends Special Admissions

Football Coach Vince Dooley of Georgia testified in federal court in Atlanta Tuesday that requiring football players to meet the same admission requirements as other students would “unilaterally disarm” the team and probably cost him and his staff their jobs.

But, under cross-examination in the trial of a fired teacher’s lawsuit against two university officials, Dooley testified further that Georgia’s requirements for athletes are higher than required by the NCAA, and that he has turned away prospects because he felt they could not compete academically at Georgia.

Dooley, before a courtroom packed with reporters and spectators, testified at the request of two university officials. Dr. Jan Kemp, a former assistant professor in the university’s developmental studies remedial program, is suing, claiming that she was fired in 1983 because she had spoken out against preferential treatment for athletes.

The five-week trial has included numerous details of student-athletes who received extra time to complete remedial work, who were promoted out of developmental studies without having met requirements, or who received other breaks in the classroom.

Dooley testified that he favors going “the extra mile” for athletes and other students with poor academic skills.