(Helen Comer/The Each day Information Journal)
We make fun of the NCAA as a result of they are a simple punching bag. They lack consistency, transparency and an understanding of the essential concepts of widespread sense. You’ll suppose it troublesome for them to find a new low after years of draconian punishments blended with unsatisfactory wrist slaps but never doubt the potential depths to which Mark Emmert’s group can plunge.
Steven Rhodes is a 24-year-outdated Marine sergeant. He finished his five-yr commitment to the armed forces this summer and called up Center Tennessee State’s football coaches and requested if that they had a spot for him as a walk-on. They fortunately accepted the 6’ three”, 240-pound veteran and have been using him as a decent end and defensive lineman throughout observe.
Great story, proper?
Well, it might be, besides Rhodes isn’t eligible to play this season as a result of he took part in an intramural league while in the service. He obtained no money to play in some extremely disorganized games.
“Man, it was like intramurals for us. There have been guys on the market wherever from 18 to forty-one thing years outdated,” stated Rhodes to Adam Sparks of the Every day Information Journal (Murfreesboro, Tenn.). “The video games have been spread out. We as soon as went six weeks between video games.”
The particulars of the rule holding up Rhodes’ eligibility:
The official rule maintaining Rhodes from taking part in a recreation this season is NCAA bylaw 14.2.3.2.1. Steeped in layers of authorized jargon, the rule primarily says that student-athletes that don’t enroll in school inside a year of their high school commencement shall be charged one 12 months of intercollegiate eligibility for every tutorial yr they take part in organized competitors.
By NCAA requirements, Rhodes’ leisure league games on the Marine base counted as “organized competitors” as a result of there have been recreation officers, team uniforms and the score was kept.
“For a guy to go serve our nation, you’d think there can be some compassion and understanding so this man isn’t prevented from enjoying faculty soccer,” said Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill. “He’s going to be nearly 30 years previous when his (eligibility) clock runs out. He must be allowed to play proper now. Hopefully, they let him.”
Daryl Simpson, MTSU’s assistant athletic director of compliance, said that the NCAA rule wasn’t put in place to punish service members however that it’s the results of tiny modifications to the bylaws over time having an unintended consequence. The Blue Raiders are placing collectively an enchantment to get Rhodes eligible in time for his or her season opener on August 29, however it should take time to get all the rule overhauled so this doesn’t have an effect on anyone sooner or later.
This is a simple fix for the NCAA: Let Rhodes play now, change the rule later. Let’s see if they will deal with this simple ruling in a well timed style.
NCAA searches for new low by denying Marine eligibility
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