Pratt????

[Grider]

Has there been any update with Pratt? Does anyone know when he will get a definite answer on his eligibility?

[PonyTales]

I guess we'll learn later this week when the veterans report. But there have been times in the past when a player applying for reinstatement has had to wait until the preseason workouts are partially over before the NCAA offers an answer. And of course, the players at places like Nebraska, USC, Florida State, Michigan, etc., always get first dibs, right? We'll probably get an answer in December, knowing the NCAA.

[PonyPride]

The university released a statement Tuesday that included the following information on Markus Pratt:

"(Head coach Phil) Bennett announced today that senior defensive end Markus Pratt will report with the team's veterans on Wednesday. The Navasota, Texas native, who was ineligible last fall, is back in good academic standing at the university but needs a waiver from the NCAA for its 24 credit hour rule to be eligible for the season.

Pratt led the Mustangs with six sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2000 and has 12 career sacks."

[Grider]

That's a good sign. I just hope the NCAA sees it in their heart to give us a freakin break for once. Pratt could really solidify what will already be a strong "D" for this year.

[stuartlittle]

The waiver is not the 24 credit rule. He has that. What he needs is a waiver for taking 9 of those credits during the summer, where the maximum for NCAA eligibility is 6. That is how I understood it.

[Joyous]

Congratulations to Marcus. May God Bless. It's a Great Day!!!

[GrapevineMustang]

Joyous, are you saying it's official? Do we have Markus back for one more year?
If it's official, that's Great News!

[PonyPride]

Bad news from SMUMustangs.com:

SMU learned (Thursday) that the NCAA has denied an appeal by the school to restore the eligibility of senior defensive end Markus Pratt. The appeal was heard by an NCAA Academic Eligibility Cabinet sub-committee.

"We are very disappointed our appeal was denied," said Bennett. "It is a shame that he won't be on the field with us this fall. His academic record has improved tremendously and he is on track to graduate this spring, which will be a great accomplishment. We are going to keep him on scholarship and have him help out as a student coach. Markus has been very loyal to SMU and we want him involved in the program."

Pratt, who was ineligible last year, recorded 54 tackles, 14 for loss, and six sacks as a junior in 2000. He finished his career with 97 tackles, 24 for loss, and 12 sacks.

[PerunaPunch]

Shafted again by the NCAA?

Who woulda thought?

Although it was Pratt's responsibility to make grades all along, and certainly you'd think that a free 100k education would warrant 4 or 5 years of service on the field, it's tragic that Markus will not be able to play when he's worked so hard to get his grades up. Just doesn't seem fair.

[PonyGirl]

Can't agree with you more. There are a lot of non-athlete students who don't work nearly as hard as Markus has to get his grades up, and he should be rewarded for his effort. I'm not saying he should get special treatment because he's an athlete, but can you really say the situation would have the same result if he was a Seminole or a Cornhusker or a Longhorn or a Sooner? Of course not. Then he would be part of the marquee teams that make money for the NCAA, and he would have been reinstated in July.

Markus, you got a raw deal.

[Hilltopper]

That sucks. Markus deserves better, but I guess we can't expect more from the NCAA when dealing with SMU.
Glad to see he'll coach, though. THe young defensive ends can learn a lot from him.