The NCAA Got It Right: Masoli Should Be Ineligible Thu, 02 Sep 2010
Read the full column here.
In a move that renders moot all of Ole Miss’ attempted machinations to get former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli eligible for the 2010 football season, the NCAA ruled Masoli ineligible for this year. Masoli can go on scholarship immediately, but he has to sit out a year before he’d be able to take the field as a fifth-year senior in 2011. Ole Miss has appealed the ruling. But, in this particular instance, the NCAA made the correct decision.
For starters, the graduate transfer rule is frequently abused and many players who have graduated in three years have taken advantage of it. The graduate transfer rule allows a player who has graduated from one institution to transfer to another institution without sitting out a year if that institution features a course of graduate study not offered at the first institution. In practice, this makes three-year college grads free agents in their fourth year.
Suddenly, voila, you develop an interest in the one or two graduate courses not offered at your present university. Look around and, wow, it’s offered at another school that has less depth at your position. In Masoli’s case, it meant he was fulfilling a lifelong educational dream by enrolling in the graduate program in parks and recreation at Ole Miss.
On Rocky Top Signing Dates Wednesday, August 12, 2009
November 13 Square Books Oxford, Mississippi
5 in the afternoon.
(The night before UT-Ole Miss)
As dates, places and time firm up, I'll add them to the roster.
Clay's New Book: On Rocky Top
When Clay Travis, acclaimed author of Dixielad Delight, decided to spend the 2008 season up close and personal with UT football, he—and every other college football aficionado—thought he was in for a rollicking ride with one of the leading contenders for the national title. After all, when the Vols kicked off the season on September 1, the defending SEC East champions were ranked 18th in the country. As head coach Phillip Fulmer prepared for the game, he reflected upon a coaching career that included an astounding 147 victories, two SEC championships, and a national title. With 34 years at UT under his belt as both a player and coach, the Tennessee native had just signed a contract extension that projected to keep him at the university long enough to become the winningest coach in program history.
Read More About the Book On Rocky Top...