Commission's Report on Football Culture Circulated Online

Media outlets yesterday published the independent report commissioned by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents about the Terps football program.

A commission of eight legal and sports experts briefed the regents last Friday on their findings; two other closed sessions on the report followed this week, and the university system has scheduled another special meeting for 2 p.m. today. It has not yet publicly released the report, but previously announced plans to do so. Last night, the system put out a statement accepting its findings.

University officials said yesterday that they had received the report on Wednesday and are carefully reviewing it.

“The University is committed to a fair and accountable process. We will continue that commitment as we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our student-athletes,” a university statement read.

University President Wallace D. Loh formed the commission on Aug. 14, following media reports of a culture of bullying and intimidation in the football program. The regents soon assumed oversight of that probe, and added more members. They also oversaw a related independent investigation by the sports-medicine firm Walters Inc. into the June death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who collapsed during a May workout with the team. That report was released in September.