ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 7, 1996 TAG: 9611070037
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHESTNUT HILL, MASS.
SOURCE: New York Daily News
Boston College suspended two football players Wednesday for betting against the Eagles in their 45-17 loss to Syracuse on Oct. 26. Eleven other players were suspended for gambling.
The two players, found by the local district attorney to have bet against BC, were not identified, though their names are among the 13 who will be banned from playing in Saturday's home game against Notre Dame. The players also could face further sanctions from the NCAA, which prohibits athletes from gambling.
``There were a number of players who came forward and told us of their illegal betting, and unfortunately their names will be mixed with two individuals who've been found to have bet against Boston College,'' coach Dan Henning said. ``That's like having your hand in the cookie jar when they're robbing the cash register.''
Though the investigation uncovered widespread wagering among team members, Middlesex County District Attorney Thomas Reilly said the investigation has found ``absolutely no evidence, no indication that any game, the outcome of any game, the score of any game was influenced or compromised in any way by players of Boston College.''
A point-shaving scandal tainted the school in the early 1980s when members of the 1978-79 Eagles basketball team were implicated in fixing games for gamblers.
A joint investigation by the DA's office and a school committee revealed the players placed bets with illegal bookmakers ranging from $25 to more than $1,000, on events from college and pro football games to the World Series.
Still, the past week has been ``very painful, very stressful'' for BC, according to athletic director Chet Gladchuk, and the consequences will be severe.
``When it comes to moral and ethical conduct, there is no compromising at Boston College,'' Gladchuk said. ``There is no gray area.''
The 13 players suspended for the Notre Dame game are: sophomore running back Jamall Anderson; junior linebacker Marcus Bembry; junior defensive back Paul Cary; senior defensive lineman John Coleman; sophomore defensive lineman Dan Collins; junior tight end Chris Cosenza; junior tight end Scott Dragos; junior wide receiver Steve Everson; junior lineman Kyle Geiselman; wide receiver Brandon King; senior linebacker Brian Maye; sophomore linebacker Jermaine Monk, and sophomore tight end Rob Tardio.
Dragos and Monk were starters.
Gladchuk said findings from the investigation, which Reilly said will continue, will be forwarded to the NCAA this week. The NCAA will then determine any additional penalties for the players involved.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB