U. of Maryland Drops 7 Games to Allow for Studying

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The University of Maryland today canceled seven basketball games scheduled for the fall 1986 semester as part of its effort to repair a sports program tarnished by the cocaine-related death of All-American basketball player Len Bias.

University Chancellor John Slaughter said the games were canceled to enable the basketball squad to concentrate on classroom performance for the entire semester.

The university has come under considerable criticism since it became public that five members of the basketball team, including Bias, received failing grades during the last spring semester.

Cancellation of the seven games, which delays the start of Maryland’s season from Nov. 28 until Dec. 27, will cost Maryland between $75,000 and $100,000.

Slaughter also said that practice time for the basketball squad will be limited to 18 hours a week and 15 hours during exam periods. In the past, practice time had averaged between 20 and 25 hours a week.