 |
|
     
|
|
Setting The Record Straight - Nov 07, 2007
posted by: Josh
A couple of weeks back, The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy levied criticism at the NCAA for its handling of the initial eligibility of Marquette basketball student-athlete Trevor Mbakwe. After Mbakwe arrived at Marquette this fall, he had a two-week period in which he was permitted to participate in conditioning drills, preseason workouts and other team activities. When the two weeks were up, and the NCAA hadn’t yet ruled on Mbakwe’s initial eligibility, DeCourcy expressed frustration and declared that the student-athlete “was exiled and asked to disappear into the cracks of the sidewalk.” DeCourcy doesn’t take issue with whether or not the NCAA should determine student-athlete eligibility; instead, he questions how student-athletes are treated during the process. I’m not angered by DeCourcy’s stance, but he certainly misleads readers by leaving a few things out of his story. First of all, Mbakwe didn’t submit his initial-eligibility request until September 4, despite the fact that classes began August 22. Simple math will tell you that he was late – and could have finished his paperwork months earlier. Mbakwe didn’t take care of business, yet DeCourcy faults the NCAA. That doesn’t make much sense, does it? If the information had been submitted in a timely fashion, the NCAA wouldn’t have had to wait until October before Mbakwe’s secondary school cooperated and sent important clarifications. If Mbakwe had done his due diligence, he would have been able to continue working with the team. DeCourcy faults the NCAA for its rule, but in fact, the two-week practice limitation was voted in place by NCAA member institutions like Marquette. If the schools wanted the rule changed, they could vote for it. The NCAA processes more than 70,000 eligibility requests from prospective student-athletes each year in a timely fashion. The ones that run late are almost certainly because information was held up on the other end. 
CommentsHowdy, "Mbakwe didn’t take care of business" Is the NCAA now in the business of throwing 18 year old kids under the public bus? Come on, Josh, it's the institution's compliance department that files initial-eligibility paperwork, not 18 year old kids. This is important to distinguish, considering: No matter how well-explained by compliance personnel, the fact is that these kids have no idea what is going on when myriad stacks of forms are shoved in their faces during pre-season meetings, while their peers are moving into the dorms, parents in tow. Moreover, did Trevor sign a Buckley waiver permitting you to discuss his personal situation in a public forum? In your haste to absolve the NCAA, the young Trevor busted his knee and will be unable to play at all this season. Timely post. Actually William it is every future athlete's responsibility to get entered into the Clearinghouse. This is done in high school and not college. Their future college can only guide and encourage these future students to get their paper work in. The information needed comes from their high schools and they are the only one who can get the requested information. Actually "JM", it is the institutional responsibility to submit initial-eligibility waivers. That is what was implied ("his initial-eligibility request", not, "his initial Clearinghouse form"). If it was the initial Clearinghouse paperwork in question, yes, we all know that is the student's responsibility. However, we also know that recruitment is the most important aspect of a winning program -- any D1 coach will confirm -- with institutions utilizing unlimited dollars to make sure every t is crossed. Well William are you then saying it is the institution’s fault? I have coached DI, so I know the policies. Also going back and actually reading the article the person in question went to 3 high schools in his final year. This alone will cause nightmares for the clearinghouse to get and receive the transcripts. Yes colleges file to the clearinghouse but it is the future students and their former high school guidance to get the information in. A college cannot request the information without consent. I agree recruiting is key but any coach who is a solid recruiter would have seen this situation coming and would have gone above and beyond to get this process going sooner. Three high schools in one year, that will never be easy even if everything is legit. But still the student-athletes must do the process. The universities request the info see if he initially qualified then see what is missing and work from there to give him guidance. If it wasn't submitted until Sept. 4 it is the athlete’s and coaches faults. It's not throwing a kid under the bus to state the facts; he didn't submit his paperwork on time. Maybe if the school's compliance officer was on top of things, this wouldn't have been an issue. Post a Comment |
  
Sox-Yankees happens 18 times a year; this is Figgy's second major league start in four years. Always take the chance to see something you've never seen before.
- Adam
   
|
