Home     News     Obituaries     Sports     Dallas Cowboys     Features     Entertainment     Opinion     Classifieds

SPORTS Local Baseball Basketball Dallas Cowboys Football Golf Motor Sports Outdoors Recreation Soccer Tennis Tiger Woods Track and Field Other Sports

PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE Thursday, August 20, 1998 Texas to release sophomore guard for Houston transfer AUSTIN (AP) - The second of four players who led a revolt against former Texas basketball coach Tom Penders after last season has decided to transfer. Texas officials on Tuesday received a release request from sophomore guard Bernard Smith to leave the Longhorns for the University of Houston. But Longhorns officials are questioning how things unfolded. Smith, a sophomore from Conroe, told Houston television station KRIV Monday night that he would transfer to Houston to play for new coach Clyde Drexler. But Texas coach Rick Barnes said UT didn't receive a release request until Tuesday. Under NCAA rules, a student-athlete who wishes to transfer must first receive his release before arrangements can be made to enroll in another school. "Obviously, we believe he's talked to Houston," Barnes said. "I don't think anyone would walk away from something unless they know what they have waiting for them. ... It's in his best interests (to transfer) but we have rules and regulations to handle this procedure." UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds, who also said Smith will receive his release, said he planned to speak with Houston Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk about the matter. "(But) we're not going to make an issue out of it," Dodds said. "We're not going to be a problem on this." Houston athletics spokesman Rick Poulter said, "All we've done is basically tell him he has to get his release. That's all we can do." Smith appeared in all 31 games as a freshman for the Longhorns last season, starting six. He averaged 5.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Smith, who will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out this season, told KRIV that he wanted to sign with Houston out of high school but was bothered by the speculation around then-coach Alvin Brooks' future. Smith was one of four players who went to the home of Dodds after last season to complain about the direction of the program under then-coach Tom Penders. Penders ultimately resigned under pressure. Luke Axtell transferred to Kansas, while the other two players who met with Dodds, sophomore center Chris Mihm and junior forward Gabe Muoneke have said they will stay at Texas. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1998, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below:

Search current site:        Search archives for:

© 1995- The E.W. Scripps Co. and the Abilene Reporter-News. All Rights Reserved. Site users are subject to our User Agreement. We also have a Privacy Policy.