Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, August 30, 1993                   TAG: 9308300082
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Fort-Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
DATELINE: FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.                                LENGTH: Medium

MIAMI TO FILE REPORT THAT PLAYER IS ALLEGING PAYOFFS WERE MADE

"We are doing it out of caution," athletic director Paul Dee said.

The NCAA has a four-year statute of limitations on such violations. However, there are three exceptions that would allow the NCAA to investigate. Miami will ask the NCAA to rule on whether the allegations are among the exceptions.

Detroit Lions and former Miami safety Bennie Blades said Friday he was among six who received money from former Fort Lauderdale-based sports agent Mel Levine with the understanding the players would sign with Levine for representation after the 1987 season.

Former receivers Michael Irvin, Brett Perriman and Brian Blades and safeties Darrell Fullington and Selwyn Brown received payments, Blades said. All six signed with Levine after the season.

Payment to players by agents is a violation of the NCAA's extra-benefits rule. According to NCAA regulations, when players accept payments they professionalize themselves and are in violation of amateur rules. By accepting payments, they make themselves ineligible.

The NCAA doesn't investigate such violations if they are uncovered more than four years later. However, there are three exceptions: (1) Allegations involving violations affecting the eligibility of a current player; (2) Information is developed indicating a pattern of willful violations on the part of the institution or the individual involved; (3) Allegations indicate a blatant disregard for the NCAA's fundamental recruiting, extra-benefit, academic or ethical conduct regulations or involve an effort to conceal the occurrence of the violation.