A service of Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

College Park Could Lose Accreditation After Football Player's Death

family photo

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - The accreditation of the University of Maryland, College Park, is in jeopardy a year after a football player died following a preseason workout.

News outlets report the accrediting Middle States Commission of Higher Education on Friday announced it has placed the school on warning after finding "insufficient evidence" that it is complying with governance, leadership and administration standards.

Brian Kirschner is the commission's communications director. He told The Baltimore Sun the decision was prompted by the fallout of Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair's death.

McNair collapsed during practice in May 2018 and subsequently died of heatstroke. His death led to leadership changes, including the appointment of a new Board of Regents chair.

The school now has to demonstrate changes by March 1.

Federal financial aid would be out of reach of students should the university lose accreditation.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.