SMU Back on Probation After Recruiting Violations

SMU was placed on two years’ probation by the NCAA on Wednesday, just as the school was recovering from being the only major college football program to get the “death penalty.”

The NCAA cited recruiting violations in broadening the penalties already imposed by the university. The governing body said an SMU coach engaged in academic fraud and made payments to students two years ago.

The NCAA did not place any restrictions on TV appearances or eligibility for bowl games.

“We felt given the nature of the violations and the extent--they were recruiting violations, so we felt there were additional recruiting penalties that ought to be augmented somewhat,” said Jack Friedenthal, chair of the NCAA infractions committee and a George Washington law professor.

Athletic Director Jim Copeland said he was relieved the NCAA had ruled on the 2-year-old case and he had no objections to the latest action.

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UCLA wide receiver Freddie Mitchell was a second-team choice on the Associated Press All-American team.

Florida State and Miami each had three players selected to the 26-player first team, among them Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke, the Heisman Trophy winner.

Weinke was joined by teammates Marvin Minnis, a wide receiver, and Jamal Reynolds, a defensive end. Miami players selected were linebacker Dan Morgan, wide receiver-punt returner Santana Moss and safety Edward Reed.

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The NCAA Honors Committee has awarded three Appalachian State assistant coaches--offensive coordinator Rob Best, tight ends coach Shawn Elliott and offensive line coach Stacy Searels--with the NCAA Award of Valor for rescuing two people from a burning van.

The NCAA Award of Valor recognizes a coach, administrator or player who averted or minimized potential disaster by courageous action or noteworthy bravery. It has been awarded only eight times since 1974, and is presented in years there is a worthy candidate or candidates.

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Nebraska defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch won the Vincent dePaul Draddy Award as college football’s top scholar-athlete. The award, presented by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, is worth a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship for Vanden Bosch, who has a 3.85 grade-point average. . . . Gary Darnell ended speculation about his future as Western Michigan’s coach by agreeing to a five-year contract. The new deal replaces the remaining two years of his current contract.

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* DIVISION I ALL-AMERICAN TEAM, D11