Ole Miss to Appeal NCAA Ruling on Powe

OXFORD, Miss. - The University of Mississippi announced Tuesday it will immediately appeal two different NCAA decisions concerning the eligibility of Jerrell Powe. The NCAA announced through a Tuesday press release that although it did not accept some of Powe's academic credentials and declined to certify him eligible, "Powe will be able to receive athletically related financial aid to attend classes. However, he will be ineligible for practice and competition until meeting NCAA and institutional academic requirements in college." According to the NCAA release, the earliest Powe could participate is 2008. "We are appealing the NCAA staff decision not to accept Jerrell's academic course work," said Ole Miss Athletics Director Pete Boone. The University is also appealing the NCAA decision that keeps Powe from practicing and competing. "We think it's important for Jerrell to be a part of the team," Boone added. "In our experience, the support that Jerrell would receive from teammates and coaches would help him succeed in the classroom." "Pending appeals to the NCAA, we are in communication with the SEC office about the application of conference rules as they pertain to this matter," said David Wells, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance. "Jerrell has worked very hard and shown a lot of determination to be an Ole Miss student," said Chancellor Robert Khayat. "In the interest of fairness, we believe he should be given an opportunity to pursue his education. As is the case with all Ole Miss students, we will be supportive of him and his efforts to have a successful academic career."

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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