NCAA TURNS DOWN SHUMATE

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- The National Collegiate Athletic Association has rejected an appeal by former Southeast Missouri State basketball coach Ron Shumate seeking dismissal of penalties against him.

In April, the NCAA's Committee on Infractions cited several violations, many involving payments to players. Shumate, who coached the Indians for 17 years, was fired in May 1997 and replaced by Gary Garner. Three assistant coaches who worked for Shumate were not rehired.

Shumate denied any deliberate wrongdoing.

The show-cause penalty would require any NCAA member seeking to employ Shumate in an athletic-related position to appear before the committee on infractions. The committee would then decide whether the former coach's new duties would be limited for a period of time.