A Payroll to Meet: A Story of Greed, Corruption, and Football at Smu

Southern Methodist University is the pride of Dallas, and the pride of SMU in the early '80s was its football team. The school's board of governors, who were mostly local business leaders and included Bill Clements, two-time governor of Texas, played a major role in the recruitment of athletes, offering cash bonuses and monthly payments to many students. Long since out of the control of the Methodist Church, SMU had a history of recruiting violations, but it was not until the advent of flamboyant coach Ron Meyers in 1976 that the system of payoffs became institutionalized. After an investigation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (and much lying by college officials and businessmen), the truth was exposed in 1987 and severe sanctions were imposed on SMU. Whitford, contributing editor for Sports magazine, is a diligent researcher and his well-documented expose is impressive. Photos not seen by PW. (Sept.)