Robert Walker is out for 09

[CajunT]

_ Which is understandable but my question to Cajun T was, Aren't you supposed to be completely cleared by the NCAA clearinghouse before you participate. They flagged this second attempt way back in the recruiting process. It just seems like pitiful timing to do this after he has already begun to practice and prepare for the season. I would have thought that if it was a big deal to the NCAA, they would have flagged him earlier such as Undre Sails last year. _

My understanding of Clearhouse standards is that they have until the first official day of class to review an athletes eligibility. If the Clearinghouse does not make a final determination before that date, then the athlete can no longer practice. The univeristy was given notice that his test was under review and he was allowed to practice until the final decision is rendered.

Now its entirely different for an athlete that does not score high enough on the ACT or may be short on his core and has to attend summer school. Until that athlete has attained the standards for eligibility, he cannot dress out. (Jewell Ratliff)

Sails could not practice because one of his final grades had not been released by a professor in JC. The university compliance office could clear his transcripts.

BTW, what has happen to Robert Walker is not uncommon. It has happen to several athletes in the past for the Cajuns.

[Cajunsmike]

_ My understanding of Clearhouse standards is that they have until the first official day of class to review an athletes eligibility. If the Clearinghouse does not make a final determination before that date, then the athlete can no longer practice. The univeristy was given notice that his test was under review and he was allowed to practice until the final decision is rendered.

Now its entirely different for an athlete that does not score high enough on the ACT or may be short on his core and has to attend summer school. Until that athlete has attained the standards for eligibility, he cannot dress out. (Jewell Ratliff)

Sails could not practice because one of his final grades had not been released by a professor in JC. The university compliance office could clear his transcripts.

BTW, what has happen to Robert Walker is not uncommon. It has happen to several athletes in the past for the Cajuns. _

I am confused by the comment "he is a recruitable athlete". If he is not eligible here, he should not be eligible anywhere. Is that correct or am I missing something. I presume he could go to JC or pay his own way to school somewhere. From the comment, he will not enroll, I gather he can't afford to pay his own way. My guess is that he spends the rest of the fall preparing for and taking another crack at the ACT. If he is successful, he could be on scholarship in the spring semester.

[Parrott]

If he's not eligible here, he would not be eligible right now at any other NCAA school. (He could go to an NAIA school or junior college, but that wouldn't make much sense.)

My guess is that Walker sits out the fall, tries to get his ACT score and enrolls at UL in the spring.

[CajunT]

_ I am confused by the comment "he is a recruitable athlete". If he is not eligible here, he should not be eligible anywhere. Is that correct or am I missing something. I presume he could go to JC or pay his own way to school somewhere. From the comment, he will not enroll, I gather he can't afford to pay his own way. My guess is that he spends the rest of the fall preparing for and taking another crack at the ACT. If he is successful, he could be on scholarship in the spring semester. _

Mike, it means he can sign with another program in the spring because he is not enrolled and not on scholarship at UL. It is no different then Melvin White, Jaron Odom or Cox did when they did not qualify.

[Parrott]

Enjoy!

The story

[Pirogue]

His jump was HUGE... I kinda expected this news.
I hope he does well...
He's a special talent.

[Parrott]

It's definitely a tough situation for Walker. But he has the right attitude. Thursday's story will have comments from him.

[ulforlife]

what a bummer, this dude could have played as a freshman... he'll be back! good luck robert!

[DaddyCajun]

Yeh, best of luck to the very talented young man. Son, get with the tutors and study hard, stay in shape, and get yourself into a Cajun uniform. Look forward to seeing you at Cajun Field and hearing of you Graduating from UL.

[UL_Cajuns]

_ His jump was HUGE... I kinda expected this news.
I hope he does well...
He's a special talent. _

So the jump in his ACT score from 15 to 22 was the issue. The NCAA hold this against someone? What if the ACT course he took really did help this young man out? Someone please advise me on the rules.

[SlappyCajun]

_ So the jump in his ACT score from 15 to 22 was the issue. The NCAA hold this against someone? What if the ACT course he took really did help this young man out? Someone please advise me on the rules. _

The NCAA Clearinghouse is an organization that evaluates high school transcripts and standardized test scores for all athletes are set to become NCAA athletes. They are the organization that makes sure that you receive qualifying scores, that you took the required number of courses and that there are no discrepancies in any of your records. They have also been the organization cracking down on prep schools, but that is more on the basketball side.

Anyway, I believe that since the ACT and SAT are standardized tests there is a certain threshold that they believe is a reasonable improvement goal that one person can make from one test to the next. If you improve above that amount they will flag your score and review. Obviously, they flagged Mr. Walker's score. If he takes the test again and scores similar to his higher score, they will throw the low score out as an anomaly, if he scores closer to the first score, then they will deem the higher score an anomaly.

Fair or not, it is the NCAA. The spirit behind the rule is to prevent people from cheating on the test to achieve a qualifying score. Therefore, sometimes it is in the interest of borderline academic students to wait until late to take the test, therefore with the new things they have learned they have the best chance of getting the score they need on the first try. I think Elijah Millsap was flagged coming out of high school, but eventually cleared. Also, they compare your Standardized test score to your high school work to see if it matches up.

[Bankruptcyman]

The ACT flags any dramatic jump in scores. I have defended 2 local students when the ACT was trying to throw out scores. Remember with TOPS, a couple of points in an ACT score can mean tuition payments so there is a lot at stake to retain a high score. I won both cases. If you defend your disputed score the ACT sends these cases to arbitration but you DO NOT have to abide by what the ACT bureaucrats say. The ACT issues the score and they can take it away but you do have have appeal rights. I wonder if Robert Walker had an attorney prepare and file his defense of his test scores or did he just wait for the ACT to make its determination without comment? Such things as prep courses, adderall prescriptions, tutoring, etc. can all be demonstrated to effect a higher score.