Ron Weaver

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Ron Weaver was a college football player for the University of Texas. Weaver, who played under the alias Ron McKelvey, had already used up NCAA eligibilty while playing college football for Division I-AA Sacramento State. He was not exposed until shortly before the 1996 Sugar Bowl and then disappeared. Coach John Mackovic and other officials claimed to know nothing of Weaver's fraud until he was caught. Despite some initial concern, the Longhorns were not forced to forfeit any of the games in which Weaver had played, as there was no evidence that any team officials knew or could have known about his fraud. To date this is the last known case of someone fraudulently playing NCAA Division I football. [1]

Weaver was able to pull off his scam by enrolling at Los Angeles Pierce College under an assumed name and a different date of birth, using the name and Social Security number of a friend. He was then a walk-on player at Texas and claimed his age was 23 instead of 30. Weaver also showed up to school after photos had already been taken for the team media guide. [2] He reportedly was not caught until he told a reporter that he planned to write a book about his scheme. After the story broke Weaver's mother said she was flooded with offers for her son to sell the rights to his story.[3]

Weaver ultimately pleaded guilty in a California federal court to misusing a Social Security number; he didn't serve any jail time.

[edit] References

  • Virginian-Pilot, December 31, 1995 [4]
  • Virginian-Pilot, January 1, 1996 [5]
  • New York Times, December 31, 1995 [6]
  • Abilene Reporter-News, December 27, 1996 [7]