04/19/24
April 05, 2009
Normal Progression: One of the most sought after JUCO transfers in 2008 has now lost his last year of eligibility. Why? Because after getting out of prison and playing a year for the SFL's Florida Kings, he decided to go to college. Too bad he didn't choose to play minor league baseball, if so, the NCAA wouldn't have an issue. (via Rivals.com and The Orlando Sentinel)
I do not have all the details, so I may be off base with my comments, however, I don't think just because he might not be eligible to play football should jeopardize his ability to earn his degree. Nor, do I think FSU "owes" him the opportunity to do so.
The rules are there for obvious reasons, and they were there before Surrency decided to play for the Florida Kings.
There are just so many options available to him, that to say that his ability to finish his degree rests solely on whether, or not, the NCAA grants him an exception is disingenuine. Grants, loans, part-time jobs, work study programs, etc. are out there. He's earned some of his degree via scholarships, so he should consider himself lucky, and move on. Success in life will not be handed to him on a platter, so if he has to earn a year, or so, of college, I think he may be better off in the long run. The positive ending is up to him. His choices will determine that, not the NCAA's actions.
On the other hand, maybe someone that spent yesterday filling out financial aid/scholarship applications with his soon to graduate from high school daughter, is not the most unbiased one to comment.
posted by dviking at 03:11 PM on April 05, 2009
The NCAA has rules of eligibility for a reason. This particular case is not the reason why this rule was made. I hope for this individual's sake that the school get's the NCAA to listen. As we all know there are exceptions to rules. The kid did this to save himself from his circumstances and to not fall into the fate that befalls so many young people out there. I have my doubts that the NCAA will give him his eligibility back, but FSU has an opportunity to let him get his degree and in the least I hope they do. That way this story can have a positive ending.