The current suspension of Syracuse University basketball player James Southerland is the result of an NCAA investigation into the SU basketball program?s academic records, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation.
Southerland, a 6-foot-8 senior forward and the Orange's third-leading scorer, was declared ineligible prior to Syracuse?s game against Villanova last Saturday. About an hour before tip-off, Syracuse University officials announced Southerland?s status, describing the reason as ?an eligibility matter? and citing federal student privacy laws.
The NCAA?s investigation into the SU basketball program nearly sidelined Southerland for Syracuse?s game at Providence on Jan. 9.
All three sources say Southerland?s temporary suspension was for a matter unrelated to his current ineligibility. However, that matter was cleared up quickly with Southerland making a payment to reimburse for improper benefits. The amount of Southerland?s payment is unknown, although one source thought it to be around $70.
After regaining his eligibility and playing against Providence, Southerland was ruled ineligible again two days later. According to two sources, the second suspension centers on a term paper.
One source said the NCAA questioned whether a tutor wrote a portion of Southerland?s term paper.
NCAA officials declined comment. In an email response, Stacey Osburn, the NCAA?s director of public and media relations, wrote, ?We cannot comment on current, pending or potential investigations.?
What prompted the NCAA investigation is uncertain.
Last year, Syracuse center Fab Melo missed three games in January after being declared ineligible because of an academic issue. He was reinstated and played the rest of the regular season and the Big East Tournament. However, just days before the start of the NCAA Tournament, the NCAA determined that Melo was ineligible.
In December, Stan Kissel, Syracuse?s director of basketball operations, resigned unexpectedly. At the time, Kissel said he resigned for personal reasons, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Kissel had worked at Syracuse University since 2005. Kissel served as the program?s liaison to the Academic Services Department, according to the 2011-12 team media guide.
It?s not clear if Kissel?s resignation has anything to do with Southerland?s situation or the NCAA investigation.
Tim O?Toole, a former SU graduate assistant, was hired to replace Kissel on Jan. 2.
Syracuse, which is 16-1 and ranked 6th in the country, plays at No. 1 Louisville (16-1 overall, 4-0 Big East) on Saturday. Game time is 4 p.m. and will be on ESPN.
Southerland watched Syracuse?s game against Villanova from the team?s bench, but he wasn?t in uniform. If he?s not reinstated, Southerland would not be allowed to travel to Louisville. The team departs Syracuse for Louisville on Friday.
?
Source: http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/index.ssf/2013/01/syracuse_forward_james_souther.html
rihanna thug life tattoo arizona governor patrick witt leprosy tampa bay buccaneers birdman whip it
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.