Ineligible player leads to NWOSU game forfeitures

ENID, Okla. (AP) _ Northwestern Oklahoma is forfeiting six of last season's games and its Central States Football League title because of an ineligible player. <br/><br/>Northwestern Oklahoma spokesman

Tuesday, January 30th 2007, 7:04 am

By: News On 6

ENID, Okla. (AP) _ Northwestern Oklahoma is forfeiting six of last season's games and its Central States Football League title because of an ineligible player.

Northwestern Oklahoma spokesman Steve Valencia says because of student privacy, he couldn't name the player or why the player was ruled ineligible.

The self-imposed punishments come almost three months after the Rangers completed a 6-and-4 season, but missed the NAIA playoffs under second-year coach Fred Slaughter.

Northwestern Oklahoma is forfeiting victories over Southern Nazarene, Panhandle State, Peru State and Bacone, as well as losses to Langston and Central Oklahoma.

School President Janet Cunningham apologized to the NAIA, which was sent findings of the school's internal investigation.

Officials say the university will adopt new policies to strengthen the eligibility review process.

The athletic department also will provide recommendations regarding the recruitment of student-athletes from high schools and transfer players from other institutions.