LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -Nebraska coach Doc Sadler said he takes responsibility for the violation of a Big 12 rule that prevents prized recruit Roburt Sallie from joining the Cornhuskers.
Sallie broke Rule 6.2, which says that any student-athlete who enrolls at a conference institution, part or full time, must meet initial NCAA eligibility requirements. Sallie had not met those requirements when he was enrolled as a part-time student in August 2006.
Sadler, speaking at a news conference Thursday night, said he and academic services personnel failed to adequately stay in touch on Sallie’s enrollment status.
Athletic director Tom Osborne said he has created new policies to prevent such an incident from happening again.
The head coach in any sport will now be notified of any academic or compliance issue with any athlete or recruit “no matter how mundane,” Osborne said.
Sadler said he first learned of a potential violation of Rule 6.2 on May 15, but Nebraska Big 12 faculty representative Jo Potuto said she believed a waiver would be granted.
On May 22 the league’s Council of Faculty Athletic Representatives denied the waiver, preventing Sallie from playing for any conference school.
Sallie, a 6-foot-5 guard, left Nebraska shortly after the fall 2006 semester began, after the NCAA Clearinghouse denied three of his appeals. He transferred to San Francisco City College, where he was selected California community college player of the year this season.
Sallie signed a second letter of intent with Nebraska in November. But earlier this month, athletic department officials realized that Rule 6.2 could become an issue for Sallie.
Sallie’s attorney, Don Jackson, told Nebraska media outlets that Sallie did not enroll at Nebraska himself. Sallie could not be reached for comment by The Associated Press.
Sadler said Senior Associate Athletic Director for Academics Dennis LeBlanc enrolled Sallie, with Sallie’s knowledge.
At the time, Sadler said, Sallie told LeBlanc and others, including a member of the Nebraska coaching staff, that junior college was not an option for him and if he was denied by the NCAA Clearinghouse, he would go overseas to play professional basketball with hopes of getting to the NBA.
Sadler said he knew Sallie attended classes at Nebraska but thought he had not enrolled. Jackson has said Sallie went to classes so he wouldn’t be behind in his work when the NCAA ruled him eligible. Problem is, he was never ruled eligible.
Sadler said Nebraska has done all it can for Sallie. He can still pursue a college basketball opportunity at a school outside the Big 12.
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