Mike Williams Back with the Orange

Riverside grad Mike Williams' career at Syracuse appeared to be over, when he was suspended from the team for academic problems. There were reports in Syracuse of cheating.

I caught up with Mike at the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament in downtown Buffalo, after his team had been eliminated from the top mens division. Mike told me that the situation has been resolved, and he will once again suit up for the Orange.
"They took it to (university) court, and the decision had been changed. I'm not sure. That's what my head coach (Greg Robinson) had been telling me. It looked like I'm there in August. They tell me to come to summer school July 6th, and in order to come to summer school I gotta be there."

Williams has emerged as the Orange's main offensive weapon. He had 60 catches and 10 touchdowns this past season. He is starting to attract the attention of NFL scouts. He could declare for the NFL Draft in 2009, after this upcoming season, his third with the Orange.

I asked Mike about the reports of cheating.

"It wasn't no cheating situation. Syracuse is a private school. When you take exams you got to do exactly what they say. It was the beginning of the exam and the notes was out. He said I was looking at my notes. That's what he said. That's what happened."

Mike says he was worried, and felt like he was letting everyone down.

We expect to have some comments from the University in the next few days. Please check back for their take on Mike Williams situation.

UPDATE: Officials from the athletic department in Syracuse will not confirm that Williams has been reinstated to the team. Sources in Syracuse tell us that Williams summer school classes will come at Onondaga Community College, not Syracuse University.