
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 31, 1995                   TAG: 9508310090
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG                                LENGTH: Short

LIBERTY TRIES TO BRING NCAA TO ITS KNEES

Liberty University will challenge NCAA rules prohibiting kneeling in the end zone on grounds they violate football players' religious freedom, a lawyer for the university said Wednesday.

Liberty spokesman Mark DeMoss declined to comment, other than to say a news conference is set for today at which Chancellor Jerry Falwell, football coach Sam Rutigliano and several players will discuss the regulations.

William McRorie, counsel for Liberty, confirmed the challenge is based on religious freedoms issues.

The matter will be heard today in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg by Judge James Turk.

The NCAA regulations do not prohibit prayer, and players are allowed to kneel in prayer on the sideline, just not on the playing field or in an end zone. Team members also are allowed to pray together before or after the game.

Greg Summers, a spokesman for the NCAA, said this year actually is the third season in which the rules on unsportsmanlike conduct have been in effect.

The aim of the regulations is to eliminate unsportsmanlike behavior. One provision of the regulations specifically bans ``any delayed, excessive or prolonged act by which a player attempts to focus attention upon himself.'' Among the actions that fall under that clause are the removal of a helmet, taunting the crowd or opposing team, posing and dancing.

The regulations don't specifically ban prayer, but do prohibit kneeling in the end zone.

by CNB