ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 5, 1996 TAG: 9611050128
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: SPORTS EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEWTON, MASS.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Boston College officials met behind closed doors with investigators most of the day Sunday as rumors swirled around campus about possible illegal gambling activity involving members of the school's football team.
Boston College athletic director Chet Gladchuk had announced Saturday night that the school had started an investigation and asked for the Middlesex District Attorney's assistance.
The university issued a statement Sunday night saying it was cooperating with the district attorney's office and also setting up an internal review committee, headed by Kevin P. Duffy, vice president for student affairs. The statement said the university also had notified the NCAA of its actions.
``In response to continuing speculation about the status of certain athletes, it should be noted at this time that no athlete has been suspended from the football team for gambling,'' the statement said. ``It is inappropriate to comment in any way about the status of the review at this time, since it still is in an early fact-finding stage.''
Middlesex County District Attorney Thomas Reilly issued a statement Sunday saying his office would not discuss the investigation.
The football team held a 7 p.m. meeting on the first floor of Conte Forum, but members of the media were asked to leave the area by campus police beforehand.
WHDH-TV in Boston reported Sunday night that ``the school was looking into five players that gambled on games and may have bet on BC to lose.''
Boston College was at the center of a point-shaving scandal during the 1978-79 basketball season. Three years later, former player Rick Kuhn was sentenced to 10 years in prison for involvement in fixing six games that season.
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB