SMU Players Now Won’t Have to Wait a Year to Play for Another SWC School

DALLAS — The Southwest Conference Council voted Monday to allow Southern Methodist University football players to transfer to any of the other Southwest Conference schools without having to sit out a year before playing.

The Council decided by a 5-3 vote Friday to allow players to waive a league rule that prohibits players from transferring and playing the first year, SWC Commissioner Fred Jacoby said. On Monday, Jacoby turned down a request from Rice for reconsideration of its positive vote, making the decision final. SMU faculty representative Lonnie Kliever abstained from the voting.

The NCAA last week suspended SMU’s 1987 football season because of recruiting violations that occurred while the school was already on probation for previous violations. The Mustangs will be allowed to play only seven games in 1988, all on the road.