Students in Naval Academy sex scandal cite unfair punishment

Jet, July 13, 1998

Naval Academy students involved in a recent sex scandal charged the Academy allowed its star quarterback to graduate after he was found guilty of having sex with a freshman, while she and two others she bad sex with were dealt with more harshly.

Freshman Felicia Harris, 19, said she had sex with senior quarterback, Chris McCoy, a violation of the rule forbidding upperclassmen and freshmen dating.

Harris was expelled pending a review. Sophomore Kevin McGlathery and junior Aaron Smith, others she reportedly had sex with, were also recommended for expulsion.

However, McCoy, who set a school record 43 career touchdowns and led Navy to its first victory over Army in five years, got probation and had some of his privileges revoked.

Complaints were issued stating that the school compromised its rules because of McCoy's athletic status.

Rear Adm. Gary Roughhead, the Academy's second-highest ranking officer, said McCoy was given a lighter punishment because he had sex off school grounds while the others had relations in academy buildings, a more serious infraction.

The Navy Secretary decides whether midshipmen will be expelled, and Smith has appealed. Harris initially filed an appeal but decided to leave the Navy. McGlathery chose to quit rather than face expulsion.