NCAA Probes McGwire’s Status for Shrine Game

Does the NCAA have jurisdiction over a college graduate?

That’s what NCAA officials will determine today in the case of former San Diego State quarterback Dan McGwire.

McGwire might be declared ineligible for the Jan. 27 East-West Shrine Game if enforcement representatives determine he violated NCAA rules by agreeing to be represented by attorney Leigh Steinberg.

The NCAA on Thursday told Shrine Game officials it was investigating. However, late Thursday, the NCAA learned McGwire was graduated from SDSU in December.

Ed Lupomech, an NCAA enforcement representative, said he wasn’t sure if the organization had jurisdiction over graduates.

McGwire, SDSU’s second all-time leading passer, held a press conference Dec. 21 and announced that he had retained Steinberg to represent him in his NFL career.

“There is a definite rule against signing with an agent prior to competition in these games,” Lupomech said.

That rule, No. 12.3.1, is found in Chapter 12 of the 1990-1991 NCAA Manual under the heading “Use of Agents:”

“An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if he or she ever has agreed (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing his or her athletic ability or reputation in that sport.”

Steinberg declined comment, and McGwire could not be reached.

East-West Shrine Game officials are waiting to see what will happen. “We had a meeting and talked about it, but we’re awaiting further word from the NCAA,” said Gary Cavalli, public relations director for the game. “I got a call this morning from Jim Marchiony (NCAA Director of Communications). . . . They wanted to make us aware of this. All we know is that they’re investigating.”

McGwire is scheduled to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 19 and in the East-West Shrine Game in Palo Alto on Jan. 27. The Senior Bowl is run by the NFL and is not a certified NCAA event.

But the East-West Shrine Game is certified by the NCAA. If the NCAA determines McGwire is ineligible, Lupomech said, the organization would inform East-West Shrine Game officials, and it would be up to them to comply. However, because the game is certified by the NCAA, officials would risk losing certification for the game if they did not comply.

“I’m confused,” said Fred Miller, SDSU athletic director. “Dan has graduated. We have no hold on him. It seems to me a graduate has free agency to act in his own interest.”