NCAA: UCO Paid For Unenrolled Player's Surgery

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) -- An NCAA investigation into the University of Central Oklahoma's football program has found that the school paid for surgery for an unenrolled player.<br/><br/> The Oklahoman,

Saturday, June 9th 2007, 6:46 pm

By: News On 6

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) -- An NCAA investigation into the University of Central Oklahoma's football program has found that the school paid for surgery for an unenrolled player.

The Oklahoman, citing documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, reported that UCO paid about $5,000 for the January 2005 surgery, even though the player was enrolled not at UCO, but at a junior college.

The player enrolled at UCO during the fall following the surgery but did not play for the Bronchos until 2006.

In an attempt to keep his eligibility, the player agreed to repay the university for the surgery.

According to the agreement, the player would not be eligible if he defaulted on the plan. He missed his first payment last November 1st, but played three days later.

UCO since has dismissed the player from the football team and
revoked his scholarship.

The matter now will be considered by the NCAA's enforcement staff.

UCO spokesman Charlie Johnson declined to comment on the findings.