Governor Ordered SMU to Continue Making Improper Payments--Bishops

Texas Gov. Bill Clements knew as early as 1983 of improper payments to Southern Methodist football players and was solely responsible for a 1985 decision to continue the pay-for-play scheme, according to a report on the university scandal released Friday.

The report, compiled by four United Methodist Church bishops, said Clements overruled two top-ranking SMU officials in ’85 and ordered Athletic Director Bob Hitch to continue the payments--less than three months after SMU went on NCAA probation for just such infractions.

“Clements asked him (Hitch) whether the payments could be continued, and when Hitch responded that they could, Hitch recalled Clements telling him specifically and unambiguously, ‘then do it,’ ” the report said.

The ’85 incident was the second time Clements had clashed with university President Donald Shields over the payment scheme, the bishops said.

On Nov. 11, 1983, the day Clements began a three-year term as chairman of the SMU board of governors, Shields complained about the payments and was told by Clements “to calm down and not be so self-righteous,” the report said.

The ’83 and ’85 incidents were centerpieces of a 48-page litany of illegal payments, power plays and cover-ups at SMU.

Continuation of payments after August 1985 resulted in an unprecedented one-year ban on SMU football in 1987 by the NCAA. The university also canceled its ’88 football season.

Although Clements figures prominently in the report, the four church bishops said all SMU trustees in some way shared responsibility for the scandal.

Friday’s report contained several recommendations, including an investigation of all other SMU athletic programs, a policy allowing open meetings of trustees and the appointment of a vice president for church relations to represent the church’s interests in the university administration.