05/26/26 04:47:00
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05/26 16:46 CDT NCAA denies Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby's petition for
eligibility reinstatement
NCAA denies Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby's petition for eligibility
reinstatement
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) --- Texas Tech announced Tuesday the NCAA has denied the
school's petition to have quarterback Brendan Sorsby's eligibility reinstated
after he acknowledged wagering on sports, including on his own team when he was
a freshman.
University president Lawrence Schovanec wrote in a letter to the Texas Tech
community that the school would appeal the ruling. Sorsby also has a court
hearing scheduled in Lubbock County District Court next Monday on his request
for a temporary injunction that would allow him to play for the Red Raiders
this season.
"We believe that given the facts and the context of Brendan's case, the NCAA's
ruling should be reversed or modified," Schovanec wrote. "As a generation of
college athletes face the legalization and rapid proliferation of sports
betting in our country, gambling addiction is rising to the point of epidemic
among college aged men in particular."
Sorsby was one of the top players to enter the transfer portal after last
season. At stake is the multimillion-dollar deal he signed with Texas Tech for
what was supposed to be his final season of college football.
Schovanec noted the NCAA's state mission includes the lifelong well-being of
athletes and to promote a "culture of care" for their mental health.
Schovanec said Sorsby last week completed an inpatient gambling addiction
treatment program and is preparing to return to campus.
"Brendan himself has been open about his struggle with severe gambling
addiction, and we believe his vulnerability deserves to be met with the full
weight of this institution's support," Schovanec wrote. "Our foremost priority
in contemplating Brendan's future with Texas Tech is his continued health and
well-being."
In his lawsuit seeking an injunction, Sorsby acknowledged that in his first
year at Indiana, he wagered between $5 and $50 on the Hoosiers football team to
win and made prop bets on teammates to exceed statistical predictions. He said
he did not bet on the one game in which he played. Sorsby said he never bet on
a game involving Cincinnati after he transferred there in 2024, but he
continued to bet on other sports.
According to Schovanec, Sorsby will receive ongoing treatment, monitoring and
support at the school. He will receive outpatient clinical care, participation
in group and individual therapy, mentor resources, treatment for his related
anxiety disorder and active monitoring of his technological devices. He also
will have a custodian to oversee his personal finances and and periodic
compliance checks.
"This is not a symbolic commitment," Schovanec wrote. "Each element reflects
our conviction, and Brendan's, that nothing matters more right now than his
continued recovery. It is our duty to provide that support and that is support
we are uniquely well-positioned to provide."
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and
https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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