Tennessee sophomore transfer Jeronne Maymon will not be eligible to play in tonight's game against Oakland.
UT spokesperson Margie Nichols said provost Dr. Susan Martin has made her final decision on the matter.
The No. 7-ranked Vols (7-0) play host to Oakland (5-5) at 7 o'clock tonight at Thompson-Boling Arena (TV: ESPN).
Maymon, a 6-foot-7, 258-pound power forward, said he passed all five classes he took and had documentation from his professors that none of his grades would be changed.
The window for grades to be changed was at noon today.
However, fall semester grades are not ruled final until Wednesday.
Vols coach Bruce Pearl was hoping an appeal would make it possible to Maymon to play before the grades were official.
In past cases with transfers, UT had made an exception with proper supporting documentation.
But as of last July, the chain of command for Vols athletics changed, with athletic director Mike Hamilton now reporting to chancellor Jimmy Cheek.
Maymon, who backs up starter Tobias Harris, is expected to be eligible to play when the Vols travel to play at Charlotte at 8 p.m. Friday.
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Comments » 105
ralphie writes:
wimps
ozoney#235138 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
volinky writes:
Seriously, is this just a matter of a legalistic date? If the classes are confirmed, let him play! As an alum, I can't wait to see him. Hamilton reports to Cheeck, but this is not a private school. If his grades were in doubt, I get it. But, to deprive his team, fans, and alumni seems like they are bound to rules for no reason! Very disappointing!
airforcevol86 writes:
welp that sucks.... i mean how hard is it?
TNVOLNTX writes:
WOW! Way to be there for the students Dr. Martin. If grades can't be changed after noon today and you had documentation of his grades, then you clearly have an agenda motivated by your own self-intersts rather than those of the student whom you should be serving.
Col26ca writes:
More to the story than we know. My guess is UTAD is in great fear of both the NCAA and the SEC. As they should be. Never trust the government and both of these organizations make the Fed's look like Sunday School.
bigorange61 writes:
I think it is time for the Chancellor to step in and stop this nonsense.
TennVolAlum writes:
Is Dr. Martin an Oakland grad?
Shiggidyhappens writes:
I agree with most of the posts, but this one makes the most sense. As the song says..."believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear".
VolNavy1 writes:
There are words for this . . . tyranny of the clerks!
username writes:
There is not more to this story. The provost is simply adhering to the letter of the law. Does that make it right? No. It's ridiculous. But unfortunately, she is within her bounds to do so.
agentorange writes:
there's no good reason to make the kid wait to play. Office of the Provost at (865) 974-2445
dwa7#337691 writes:
early predict:
UT 84
Oaklanders 76
OrangePride writes:
This just so typifies college and university bureaucracies across the country. Having worked inside them for many years, I have come to realize that there are so many who will NEVER use any judgment when they can hammer you with a so called "policy." In some cases it's just the safer route because they can never be criticized and at other times it is them "exercizing" their power in a spiteful or mean way to show whose boss. Who knows which of those factors is the case here, but either way, it just plain rots and who can respect a person or department that behaves this way. The Vols will be fine anyway, but you have to feel for the frustration of it all.
69vol08 writes:
Sounds like Dr. Martin has some power issues!
Rockygrass writes:
It sucks he can't play, but it's for the best to wait until they are offically posted. We would all be fired up if something were to happen and a win get taken away from us because of his eligibility.
BigBadVol writes:
I would bet that Dr. Martin has once worked for the federal government in some capacity. Common sense just doesn't apply.
tdforvols writes:
Great post and perfectly stated!
Colliervol writes:
One game isn't going to hurt him or us if he's waited this long. UT is just dotting the "i's" with the NCAA. Not a bad idea considering what we are dealing with currently.
pms151 writes:
As much as I would like to see him play, I as an alum have to agree with the administration. Considering the recent CBP situation I don't think that we as a university should bend any rules for him even one as trivial as this. It could even be to his advantage, given the NCAA has not yet ruled, to not press the issue.
SECProudUT writes:
I would much rather see the whole team playing in March of 2012, rather than seeing Maymon play tonight. As high as my curiousity is about his performance. I can wait until the next game. Showing the NCAA we have implied strict guidelines are of the utmost importance. JMHO
CoverOrange writes:
You have to wonder why and for whom this rule was put into effect. For any student graduating they are not really denied anything, what employer can't wait 2 or 3 days if they know the degree is forthcoming? Law grads work as interns for months waiting for their bar exam results. Students still attending are off for the holidays and don't care, nothing hinges on finalization of grades other than whether they can attend in January. Only basketball players would be effected by this rule. Why are they singled out?
SECProudUT writes:
Yes pms151, Well put. I am glad I am not out on an island alone on this one.
murrayvol writes:
True story. These are not normal times.
Gerald Williams would be happy to sit down with him and explain what a "really serious wait" means.
abnermc writes:
If the rule is noon today what is the holdup? Sounds like Sue needs to go. Maybe a law suit in the making.
AirForceVol2786 writes:
No but Dr. Martin is from California, maybe Kiffin got to her? JUST KIDDING!
This is simply a case of one person wanting to shine the spotlight on herself and if she hurts a young man in the process, so be it.
budd#207344 writes:
They are being singled out because the NCAA is still investigating and are very attuned to anything that UT does. Dr. Martin is doing exactly what she should do. Do it the right way.
SECProudUT writes:
Why are they singled out? They maybe the only ones effected by this as you say, but it is still a rule of the Unniversity. Breaking the rule for a member of the basketball team would be giving or showing special attention that other students may not receive, being a violation. Wouldn't you think?
Bigger_Al writes:
No big deal in the grand scheme of things. At least is shows that the July change in reporting structure is more than a paper change only.
STstatefarmVOLS writes:
I don't agree with what she is doing, however, we have been winning without him and I believe we will continue winning. Once he is able to play, in the next game, then we will just grow stronger and deeper. Especially since eventually we will have Wooldridge and Bone back as well. If we play the way we have played we will continue to win and prove that Dr. Martin and the pollsters are idiots! Does she also vote in the polls??
budd#207344 writes:
I didn't know you spelled A#$hole with an E
SECProudUT writes:
Who was that quote from again, Did you say Austin Powers? Too funny (not).
AirForceVol2786 writes:
Nope, its been done countless times for other sports. It happend to J.P. Prince just 2 years ago. They aren't breaking any rules, the worry is that Maymon would play and then would later be ruled academically eneligable. Tennessee would have to give up the games he played in.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
pretty simply a slap at Bruce...wonder how many staffers realize how much their own salaries are affected by big-time sports (in a positive way)??
Not too many.
diehardvol writes:
The NCAA ruling has no bearing on this situation whatsoever and since grades are in and the change grade deadline has passed, there is nothing to worry about in playing him. The NCAA won't go easier or harder on us no matter what they do.
Dr. Marting is just being a .....well the Big E quoted Kenny Powers on it so read above.
diehardvol writes:
What was wrong about what he said? He used a funny quote from a funny TV show, and he used it in an appropriate situation.
BillyVol writes:
Folks, we do not have any reason to make slurs towards others on this site. Coach Pearl, and Coach Dooley, both have stated that we have to work with the Process in coaching. I believe it is in the best interests of all that the University also follow the process when it comes to these matters.
SIMSVOL writes:
Truly ashame the UT bureaucrats can't use common sense once in a while. The window for grade changes has officially changed - let the student play basketball! Is Obama running the show in Knoxville now? No common sense.
KCHS63 writes:
So, Jimmy Cheek has no more power?
james#216392 writes:
As I said the other day, the school is upset with Pearl and will not give him any help what so ever. People like Dr. Martin never think of the student, only themselves and their show of power.
diehardvol writes:
1. SEC does not suspend players so they are powerless here.
2. This situation does not affect us in any way with the NCAA or SEC so don't see why we would care.
3. Even if UTAD is in fear, what does that have to do with the Academic administration making a decision?
nocleats writes:
As soon as Govenor Haslam takes office, this will be fixed.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
mr maymon should speak to mr gerald williams about waiting and the "run around".
--the stone says
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
I agree that with our current situation, it is better to use caution.
This is no big deal. We have been winning against some great teams without him, however, I will be glad once he gets cleared to play!
SECProudUT writes:
Apparently, The staff here didn't much care for it either. Nor IMO would any of the female followers. You can hang out on your computer all day and watch sitcoms. I am getting ready to go see the Vols play some basketball.
GO BIG ORANGE!
budd#207344 writes:
Hey people we are under investigation by the NCAA!!. What don't you understand about that? Now is not the time to bend a rule for an athlete. The rule says grades are not final until noon Wednesday. But we should change that for an athlete? Please grow up and realize that when mommy says no she's doing it for your own good. Or would you rather see more penatlies like loss of scholies and no post season.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
To resort to a trite phrase, the situation is what it is. As long as Dr. Martin has the "law" on her side, she can do what she wants, whatever her true motivation. We haven't needed Maymon so far and we likely won't need him tonight. After all, it's not like he has been completely on the shelf. He has been contributing to that competitive practice environment several posters have mentioned. He should be ready when we really need him, as we likely may when we get into the SEC season and beyond. I can only imagine how it must suck for him, but it will only make him more determined to contribute when his chance comes.
crmcm44#321757 writes:
Power trip by someone who doesn't give a hoot about anything other than showing Pearl who is really important. A little late to be showing institutional control on a matter that doesn't violate any rule.
gavol writes:
This is a power thing. Someone this arrogant does not need to be leading in any capacity. She is going to throw her weight around no matter what. This is a poor example.
armyvol22 writes:
How can any of the players play if all the grades are not final until noon today? Couldn't the other players have failing grades? This is stupid.
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