SMU could be the first university to...

SMU could be the first university to get the so-called death penalty--a two-year suspension of its football program--if the most recent allegations about cash payments prove true, an NCAA official said.

SMU is already serving three years’ probation mandated in 1985 because of illegal cash payments to players by boosters and other NCAA violations.

Most recently, linebacker David Stanley, who dropped out of SMU last December, told Dallas’ WFAA-TV that he received $750 a month in payments that continued after the NCAA sanctions. Stanley also told the station that he was paid $25,000 to sign with the Southwest Conference school in 1983.

Athletic Director Bob Hitch and Coach Bobby Collins denied Stanley’s allegations.