July 2, 2002

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - LSU has formally denied allegations that a kinesiology instructor was forced to give extra credit assignments to 10 football players who were trying to stay eligible to play in the 2000 Peach Bowl.

The denial of that accusation, as well as all others made by instructor Tiffany Mayne, was entered into federal court records June 27.

Mayne has said that officials at the Academic Center for Student-Athletes insisted that she give the players extra credit work so they could improve their failing grades. She said she initially refused but was pressured.

She is scheduled to teach classes in the fall, a fact that LSU pointed out in its answer to the suit, which accuses the university of targeting her for retribution after she pointed out academic improprieties.

The school launched an investigation into NCAA violations at the academic center in January. Another kinesiology instructor, Caroline Owen, also has accused LSU of academic misconduct.

If found guilty of NCAA violations LSU could be subject to punishment as a repeat offender. The university is still on probation for violations committed in the recruitment of former Tigers basketball player Lester Earl.