Houston Panel Recommends Reforms

A special committee at the University of Houston recommended 25 changes Tuesday that the school should make in its athletics program, including an emphasis on having more athletes graduate.

The committee, reporting on results of an internal investigation, also recommended changes in policies on admission, academic performance and financial support of athletes.

But school officials refused to disclose the results of another investigation of Houston athletics conducted by Houston attorney Walter Zivley.

The two investigations were triggered by newspaper reports earlier this year that several former Cougar football players were given cash and received favors from coaches, including Coach Bill Yeoman.

Payments to players and granting of favors, such as use of gasoline credit cards and arrangement of bank loans, would violate NCAA rules and could mean penalties for the football program.

After three months and interviews with dozens of players and coaches, Zivley has finished his investigation, according to Michael Johnson, interim athletic director.

But Johnson said at a news conference that he could not comment on the findings until the NCAA had finished its own investigation. He said he did not know when that would be.

Hugh Walker, vice president for academic affairs, said that the committee investigation revealed problems between academic departments and athletes.