Emanuel Is Suspended Indefinitely

Aaron Emanuel, the USC tailback who had earlier lost his starting job in spring football practice, has been suspended indefinitely by Coach Larry Smith in the wake of charges that Emanuel was involved in an off-campus fight with another student over the weekend.

A campus spokesman said Tuesday that Emanuel’s suspension would last “at least several games,” possibly more depending on findings and sanctions of a review board representing the office of Student Affairs.

Smith’s official release read: “Aaron will miss part of the 1987 football season because of the suspension and he could miss all of the season depending on the outcome of an investigation.”

Neither Emanuel nor Smith would comment beyond that.

Jim Dennis, vice president in charge of student affairs, said in the case of allegations such as Emanuel’s: “The university will conduct a normal review to investigate facts, to see what sanctions, if any, will be taken, based on the findings.” He said this process can take up to three weeks but, since the school year is drawing to a close this week, it “will be expedited” in Emanuel’s case.

Student Affairs can find “from no action to expulsion,” Dennis said. He added that “Larry Smith has taken independent action.”

Emanuel, a highly recruited player from Quartz Hill High School, started four games as a sophomore last season and gained 495 yards. In his freshman season, Emanuel gained 472 yards. He was hampered by injuries both seasons.

Earlier this spring, both he and fellow veteran tailback Ryan Knight, who had been expected to compete for the starting job, lost out to junior Steve Webster.