THREE SMU THREE PLAYERS WIN THEIR APPEAL AT SMU OVER REVOKED SCHOLARSHIPS

In early February, June Jones made a large splash in the midst of recruiting madness when he announced that SMU was releasing 9 players from their scholarships for a violation of team rules. He said then:“A few student-athletes failed to adhere to our department policies and/or team rules, and because of that, they are no longer part of our program. We are sensitive to the fact that these decisions impact people’s lives, and with that in mind, we have made arrangements for these student-athletes for scholarships at other institutions should they wish to continue their education and football careers.”Yet many players felt as if they were targeted by Jones not for rules violations, but simply for not fitting into the coaches plans.Now comes word from the Dallas Morning News that three of the five players who appealed the decision to have their scholarship released have won the appeal.While both sides have agreed to a confidential settlement, defensive end Jordan Johnson, linebacker Taylor Bon, and defensive end Anthony Sowe will continue to get their athletic scholarship for 2009-2010.Both Johnson and Bon immediately tried to clear their name back in February and contended that they didn’t break any team rules nor did they have any strikes under the program’s “three strikes” disciplinary policy.Bon and Johnson didn’t have any comment when reached, but Sowe said he was “sworn to secrecy."This is the first 1-11 team that’s ever been run like the C.I.A.