SMU Head Quits, Cites Ill Health

Southern Methodist University President L. Donald Shields announced today that he is resigning immediately for medical reasons.

Shields, 50, who left California State University, Fullerton to become SMU president in 1980, cited deteriorating health caused by diabetes as the reason for his early retirement, SMU spokesman Roddy Wolper said. Wolper said the early retirement is not linked to recent allegations of NCAA rules violations in the football program at SMU, which is in the second year of a three-year probation.