WCC broadens athlete transcript probe after fraud charge

VALHALLA, New York -- Westchester Community College is reviewing the transcripts and academic eligibility of dozens of its students-athletes over the last three to five years after The Journal News revealed that two star basketball players had their athletic scholarships yanked from Florida A&M University because of phony transcripts.

The alleged transcript fraud resulted in the firing of assistant WCC basketball coach Richard Fields and a criminal investigation.

"We're looking at all athletes in all sports going back several years," said WCC spokesman Patrick Hennessey. "We feel it was an isolated incident, but we're checking. We want to make sure."

Fields, the assistant coach, was fired Oct. 16 after admitting he provided a phony transcript for Jamell Walker and forged an administrator's signature on an eligibility form for him, Hennessey said.

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