Navy To Expel Football Player

However, Rempt stopped short of recommending that Owens repay any tuition. The Naval Academy released a statement yesterday saying it would comply with Winter's decision. "This has been a tough issue for everyone associated with the Academy," Rempt said in a statement.

Rempt, now in his final year in the academy post, has received praise for efforts to curb excessive drinking and sexual harassment. Surveys show approval ratings steadily improving from female as well as male midshipmen on such issues as whether the academy provides "a positive environment for women."

But Rempt was criticized by alumni and by the judge in the Owens case, who said that e-mails the superintendent sent to the academy community insinuated the midshipman's guilt.

Such allegations prompted Rempt to recuse himself from further consideration of Owens's legal case, but he continued considering his status at the school. Another admiral subsequently affirmed the jury's decision. Without a rape conviction, supporters said, Owens was guilty only of breaking academy rules and should be allowed to continue his military career.

In the months since the verdict, Owens has maintained a public presence, attending last year's Army-Navy football game and appearing in the courtroom Tuesday in support of former teammate Kenny Ray Morrison at his sentencing on a sexual assault charge.

Backers say Owens's support for Morrison was a sign of loyalty and leadership skills. "It's ironic that the secretary of the Navy, in justifying his decision, said that . . . he lacked confidence in having Lamar Owens lead the men and women of the Navy," Optekar said. "He was just so well-liked."

Optekar said alumni would not only seek to raise money to help Owens repay his academy tuition, but also help him finish his degree elsewhere. "To see that he gets into a good school, that this scar begins to diminish," he said.

Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.