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COLUMBUS, Ohio - The former teaching assistant who charged that star Ohio State tailback Maurice Clarett received preferential treatment in the classroom won't talk to a university committee investigating her allegations.
"They'll use information that's not true," Norma C. McGill said Thursday. "I don't trust OSU with my information. I'll trust an NCAA investigator."
McGill alleged Clarett walked out of a midterm in African-American and African studies, where she was a teaching assistant, in fall 2002. She said he later was given an oral exam, which she said was unusual. Clarett passed the course.
McGill said Clarett was the only student among 90 to receive an oral exam. But associate professor Paulette Pierce said Clarett did not receive preferential treatment. She said she has given oral exams in other classes to students who are not athletes.
Ohio State created a committee to review McGill's allegations after they were reported last month in the New York Times. It is sharing information with the NCAA, which is conducting a separate investigation into Clarett's finances.
NCAA officials attempted to reach McGill on Thursday. Mark Jones, director of enforcement, said association bylaws prevented him from commenting on any case under investigation.
BIG TEN: The conference has taken a step toward using instant replay, implementing a pilot program to determine whether to use it for real in the future. Commissioner Jim Delany said the Big East would use a test program for a handful of games this season to determine the effects. It will be based on the NFL's system of limited challenges and won't disrupt play on the field. An independent person will decide which plays should be challenged based on game situations.
CINCINNATI: Almost two years after he was charged with arson for starting a fire in a University of Kentucky dormitory, Brett Hamblen is getting a second chance. Hamblen is practicing with the Bearcats as a walk-on player. He hasn't been promised a football scholarship but eventually could earn one, coach Rick Minter said.
CLEMSON: Coach Tommy Bowden met with receiver Roscoe Crosby and hoped to have the two-sport star back with the team as soon as possible. Crosby, who missed last season after elbow surgery, was granted a medical waiver by the Atlantic Coast Conference on Wednesday. He has three years of eligibility left. Bowden said Crosby is handling the administrative details necessary to return to school and the team.
PITTSBURGH: Larry Fitzgerald, who set several freshman school receiving records last season, injured a hamstring during practice. Coach Walt Harris says there's no indication how serious the injury is, and Fitzgerald will have his leg looked at by doctors.
PURDUE: Running back Joey Harris was ruled academically ineligible for his senior season, the school said. Harris didn't maintain a B average in his three summer classes, an eligibility requirement.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Coach Lou Holtz says his wife found out there was "vast improvement" in her medical condition after her lungs started filling with fluid a couple of months ago. Beth Holtz, 64, has fought off throat cancer twice, including a bout in 1999 during her husband's inaugural season with the Gamecocks. Her health had been fine until earlier this year.
VIRGINIA: Receiver Michael McGrew will miss the season because of a leg injury. McGrew had surgery Thursday, two days after he was injured in practice. McGrew played as a freshman, so he could take a medical redshirt and return in 2004.
Track and fieldMIAMI: Junior Lauryn Williams will compete for the United States in the IAAF World Outdoor Track and Field Championships from Aug. 23-31 in Paris. Williams, who won gold medals in the 100 meters and 4x100-meter relay at the Pan American Games, will compete on the 4x100 team.