🏈 NCAA rules restrict Boise State fans from helping out homeless football player

[PhillyGirl]

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/05/boise-state-homeless-player-antoine-turner-ncaa-regulations

Antoine Turner in joining the football team at Boise State this summer, and after a local TV news segment did a story about his life — he grew up in New Orleans and lost his mom to cancer at age 4; he isn’t close with his dad; he is currently homeless until summer school begins– many viewers of their show rushed to offer their support for the young man.

Boise State anticipated this, though, and issued a statement warning fans of the team that they couldn’t help Turner. Why not? Because by doing so it would violate NCAA policy.

From a Boise State compliance office note to KTVB:

We need to make it clear to your viewers and Bronco fans that it is NOT permissible within NCAA rules for boosters of Boise State athletics to provide benefits to Mr. Turner. That would include money, loans, gifts, discounts, transportation costs, etc.

While Mr. Turner’s need is abundantly clear, it is not permissible for Boise State, the athletics department or supporters of the athletics department to assist Mr. Turner at this time. Once Mr. Turner arrives on campus for the start of the summer school program, he will be well taken care of—receiving full tuition, room and board, books, fees etc. In the meantime, the compliance office is exploring a potential waiver with the NCAA that would allow us to provide assistance prior to the start of summer school.

Turner was in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and ended up evacuating to California. He’s lived a bit in his uncle’s house, but regulations on his uncle’s housing means he can no longer stay there. Turner has been alternating sleeping in motels and his girlfriend’s car. He will do so until he can come to campus on June 6 for summer school.

Visit KTVB to read more about this story.

 

[riz]

Somebody call Leigh Anne Tuohy.

 

[PhillyGirl]

Somebody call Leigh Anne Tuohy.

I thought the same thing!

 

[riz]

I thought the same thing!

I hope that doesn't make us horrible people.

 

[sean]

this is why there needs to be an addendum to such rules.

 

[TerryP]

this is why there needs to be an addendum to such rules.

It's within the rules for Boise State to help him. Of course, that wouldn't be as good of a story for USA Today.

 

[BAMANEWSBOT]

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The NCAA says Boise State can immediately assist a homeless football recruit who signed to play with the team in February. Antoine Turner said in an interview with KTVB-TV in Boise that he's recently been living in a motel, along with a car belonging to his girlfriend, as he finishes up classes at Fullerton College in California. Boise State received clearance Wednesday from the NCAA to reach out to Turner and offer support. After graduating from Fullerton, the defensive tackle is scheduled to take summer school classes at Boise State, where he will live in the dorm and have a meal plan.

Continue reading...

 

[PhillyGirl]

I'm confused, why is Boise State claiming otherwise?

 

[PhillyGirl]

Looks like as of last night, the NCAA prohibited aid but BSU appealed:

NCAA ✔ @NCAA
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After Boise State's request last night, the school may provide immediate assistance to football student-athlete Antoine Turner.

 

[TerryP]

I'm confused, why is Boise State claiming otherwise?

Fans giving monetary support, versus the school helping out.

It was always within the schools right to help. That's what I was pointing out earlier; they just had to let the NCAA know.

That TV station broke that story about 48 hours ago and because of the story BSU had to release that statement to keep fans from doing something that might have an affect on his eligibility. It was always within the NCAA rules to help the kid out, but the storylines/narrative took a different approach and several decided to use his story as a case to slam the NCAA.

It's not the same story, but it's very similar to what happened with HaHa. His car was broken in to and several things were damaged/stolen. He needed some help. It was within the NCAA rules for the school to help him out, but he ended up getting a short term loan from that coach. He didn't have to and ended up getting suspended...

 

[riz]

The NCAA says Boise State can immediately assist a homeless football recruit who signed to play with the team in February. Antoine Turner said in an interview with KTVB-TV in Boise that he's recently been living in a motel, along with a car belonging to his girlfriend, as he finishes up classes at Fullerton College in California. Boise State received clearance Wednesday from the NCAA to reach out to Turner and offer support. After graduating from Fullerton, the defensive tackle is scheduled to take summer school classes at Boise State, where he will live in the dorm and have a meal plan.

So, is he homeless or is he living in a hotel? Those are worlds apart, at least where I live.