Mike Williams’ suspension from the football team remains in effect despite his statements to a Buffalo TV station, a Syracuse athletic department official said Monday morning.

Sue Edson, assistant athletics director for communications, said Monday that the junior wide receiver remains suspended and is still not enrolled in the university.

This on the heels of statements by Williams to WIVB-TV in his hometown of Buffalo Sunday that he was set to rejoin the team and play in the fall.

‘They took it to (university) court, and the decision had been changed,’ Williams told WIVB-TV. ‘I’m not sure. That’s what [Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson] had been telling me. It looked like I’m there in August. They tell me to come to summer school July 6th, and in order to come to summer school I gotta be there.’

Edson at least temporarily refuted those comments.

‘Mike Williams’ status with Syracuse University remains unchanged,’ Edson said. ‘Coach Robinson is working with Mike to get him enrolled in Onondaga County Community College.’

Williams led Syracuse in every major receiving category last year. His 60 catches tied a school record, while his current stretch of nine consecutive games with a touchdown catch is the longest active streak in Division I.

It was reported in early June that Williams had been suspended by the university for academic reasons and was no longer enrolled, casting doubt on his future – both short- and long-term – with the program.

In the same interview with WIVB-TV, Williams responded to reports that he had been caught cheating.

‘It wasn’t no cheating situation,’ Williams said. ‘Syracuse is a private school. When you take exams you got to do exactly what they say. It was the beginning of the exam and the notes was out. He said I was looking at my notes. That’s what he said. That’s what happened.’

Edson also said that there were no SU football players other than Williams that are considered academically ineligible for the fall.

jsclayto@syr.edu

Published on June 24, 2008 at 12:00 pm