The NCAA creates controversy for the second time this week
The NCAA is starting to become like that kid in class who deliberately does the wrong thing with the sole purpose of stirring up controversy only to change his mind later. After denying ex-marine Steven Rhodes eligibility to play Division 1 football public backlash caused the NCAA to override their ruling. The NCAA has since gone back and delivered Rhodes eligibility to play at Middle Tennessee State.
Now the NCAA has denied Kerwin Okoro’s transfer request for a hardship waiver. If you’re unfamiliar with Okoro he is a Bronx native who played his high school ball at St. Raymond’s before taking his talents to Iowa State. Last season while away at Iowa State, Okoro lost his 28-year old brother to colon cancer and then lost his father to a stroke.
Since the two tragedies Okoro has transferred to Rutgers so he could be closer to his mother, but due to NCAA ruling he is required to sit out a year. Following his transfer Okoro has sought a hardship waiver which would allow him to play this season. Unfortunately for him the NCAA being the NCAA has shot down that possibility because hardship waivers do not cover family deaths.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this rule is absurd and that Okoro should be allowed to play. If the NCAA wants to avoid anymore public bashings than they should strongly consider revising their rules.
Okoro took to his twitter account to voice his frustration.
I'll make the wise decision of staying off social networks today,cause if I express my feelings right now, I might just say the wrong thing
— Nkereuwem Okoro (@The_KO_Campaign) August 20, 2013
– John McAuliffe (@John_Mac310)