Washington Clear to Return for USC

USC tailback Delon Washington was allowed to rejoin the football team Monday after he was cleared of charges of academic fraud. However, Kenny Cooper, who also was accused of having someone else take the American College Testing exam for him, failed to score high enough to gain reinstatement in a third ACT test and probably will lose a year of eligibility, sources told The Times.

Both freshman players came under investigation after the second game of the season when officials from ACT headquarters challenged their scores because of marked improvements from a previous test. USC officials removed them from competition at that time. The players retook the test two weeks ago and the results were used to determine their standing.

Washington said Monday evening that USC assistant athletic director Fred Stroock and his staff helped him prepare to retake the test.

“I knew I could pass it again,” Washington said. “But I got a lot of help from Fred and I worked almost every day except Saturday getting ready for it. I also had to take care of my regular course work.”

Washington also said he believes the investigation was handled improperly by ACT officials.

“I feel like I was treated like a criminal,” Washington said. “The whole thing was just a waste. I lost the entire season. I was under a lot of stress during the preparation.

“They never told me what the consequences would be if I failed the test.”

USC has never admitted to the investigation, citing the Buckley Amendment, which affords students privacy about their academic standing. Monday’s announcement of Washington’s reinstatement came in a terse statement from a USC spokesperson: “Issues surrounding the eligibility of Delon Washington have been resolved. He is no longer being withheld from competition. The Ken Cooper situation is unchanged.”

It is unlikely Washington would be ready to play until a bowl game.

Sources said USC has asked about getting a redshirt year for Washington and been given an unofficial “no” because the school voluntarily held him out of competition. A formal petition is expected to be filed soon.

Both the ACT and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) are used in part to determine initial eligibility for NCAA Division I athletes. Academic standards--known as Proposition 48--require freshmen to score at least 17 on the ACT or 700 on the SAT to be eligible.

Despite playing in only the first two games, Washington is fourth in rushing with 153 yards in 19 carries, including 109 yards against Washington in the opener. Cooper, a tight end, was in his redshirt season, but he probably will lose that year of eligibility.