The NCAA informed the UDM athletic department today that the University's request for a waiver to reinstate basketball center Eli Holman's eligibility for the 2008-09 season was denied.
Holman is a transfer from Indiana University, where he played just six games last season before being sidelined due to injury. Based on today's NCAA ruling, Holman will not be eligible to play for the Titans until 2009-10.
“We are disappointed in the NCAA's decision, but we remain very excited about Eli still being a part of the Titan basketball family,” Detroit athletic director Keri Gaither said. “We look forward to Eli taking the court and doing great things for the Titans in the future.”
Holman's mother, Kaylynn Holman-Trotter, shares similar feelings.
“We were hoping for better news, but Eli is still definitely part of coach (Ray) McCallum's program and I feel good about that,” she said. “I know he is in good hands at Detroit. We just have to have faith that he gets to play soon.”
“Considering Eli went through an injury that cost him almost all of his freshman season at Indiana, we had been very hopeful that the NCAA would grant him the opportunity to play this season at UDM,” coach McCallum said. “Eli has worked hard and he's a fine young man. He's in good academic standing. We feel he had a great case to be allowed to play this season.”
UDM is still exploring any and all other possibilities to secure Holman's eligibility to compete this season.
-Detroit Titans-
