Internal Investigation : Football Violations at Howard Revealed

An internal investigation of the Howard University football program has revealed that some players were allowed to perform with the team after their college eligibility had expired and irregularities in the financial aid program, according to university officials.

The probe, which covered the Bisons’ 1983-88 seasons, began in March and was prompted by the discovery that nine of the team’s starters played for Howard after they had used up their eligibility, Carl Anderson, the university’s vice president for student affairs, said Wednesday.

Among the athletes who were said to have played beyond their eligibility was tailback Fred Killings, who rushed for 1,452 yards last season.

“This is humiliating and it sets us back for sure,” Anderson said. “With the surfacing of the nine, that left the possibility of others in previous years . . . that prompted this review.”

The violations spanned the last six seasons and were in violation of both NCAA and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference guidelines.

The investigation revealed that three ineligible players suited up for the Bisons in the 1987 season, but Howard counsel Daniel O. Bernstine refused to divulge their names.

Anderson, in regard to the financial aid violations, said: “Some players thought they were getting full (scholarships), but they were not. Some may have been minus book money; several of the athletes inquired about their aid and it was fixed.”

The discovery of the irregularities probably will result in the forfeiture of Howard’s 1987 MEAC Championship, Anderson said.