Athletic Director Promises a Clean Program at SMU

Athletic Director Bob Hitch of Southern Methodist told the school’s faculty senate Wednesday that the university will have the country’s cleanest football program next year.

Hitch and other members of the athletic department appeared before the faculty senate to discuss the state of athletics in light of recent allegations of recruiting violations.

None of the allegations have been proven and are under investigation by both the school and the National Collegiate Athletic Assn.

SMU is currently serving the harshest football-related probation ever dealt by the NCAA. The school’s board of governors recently vowed to abolish the program if necessary to protect SMU’s image.

The board also voted to demand the same entrance requirements for football players that all students must meet--thus eliminating special admission students.

“I think in the fall of 1987 we could easily be the cleanest football program in America,” Hitch said. “We have worked hard and diligently to eliminate cheating in the program. It has been of the utmost importance to us.