WVU’s Battle: NCAA ‘failed’ me by rejecting waiver

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff WriterNov 25, 2023, 03:53 PM ET

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  • Covers college basketball
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

West Virginia’s RaeQuan Battle, who balanced 17.7 points per game at Montana State last season, said the NCAA “stopped working” him today by disregarding basketball’s effect on his psychological health when it denied the appeal of his request for a waiver to play this season.Battle, a two-time

transfer who had formerly dipped into Washington and Montana State before moving to West Virginia this year, had his preliminary waiver request for instant eligibility denied by the NCAA. West Virginia appealed that decision on his behalf, but the NCAA denied the appeal this week.Battle said he thinks his case fits the NCAA’s “special circumstances”criteria. “I will not information the injury that I have faced throughout my childhood and college life, but those who do know my story comprehend how terribly I need the game of basketball as part of an extensive process to enhance my well-being and psychological health,”he stated in a statement Saturday.”Anybody who watches or follows college sports has actually seen, heard and been informed over and over by the NCAA, particularly in their advertisements, that they want the very best for their student athletes’ careers and health and wellbeing.” So, I anticipated the NCAA to understand the totality of my situation and why I chose to enroll and compete at West Virginia University this season. However, the NCAA has failed me, my household, my community, my group and whatever they say they stand for when it pertains to a student athlete. “Although instant eligibility is readily available to Division I athletes who transfer for the very first time, a player seeking a 2nd transfer without

very first making a bachelor’s degree need to look for a waiver.The requirements for two-time transfers to gain immediate eligibility were tightened this year. Per a statement from the NCAA to ESPN in August,”multiple-time transfers who can not show and adequately record a personal requirement for medical or security factors to depart the previous school are not eligible to complete right away following their 2nd undergraduate transfer.”Battle said former Montana State head coach Danny Sprinkle’s decision to leave for Utah State affected his mental health. He said Sprinkle had assisted him on his college journey.After seeking advice from multiple therapists, Fight decided that a new school would benefit him, and West Virginia’s staff told him they would support him with his basketball and academic goals. Although he had actually devoted to West Virginia under previous head coach Bob Huggins, interim head coach Josh Eilert and Battle have a strong relationship, the player stated in his statement.Battle is Native American and a member of the Tulalip Reservation. He is the first member of his tribe to earn a Division I scholarship. Eilert, who lived on a Native American appointment when he was more youthful, visited Battle at Tulalip, near Seattle, quickly after accepting the interim role. That boosted their bond, Fight said. “Disappointed, discouraged and certainly frustrated are the emotions our entire basketball program is handling right now due to this short-sighted choice,”Eilert and West Virginia athletic director Wren Baker stated in a joint statement following the NCAA’s choice. “It has currently been requested by the Department I Board of Directors to evaluate the existing transfer guidelines and waiver guidelines. In addition, the chair of the board was particularly priced estimate stating the NCAA would’continue to see student-athlete wellness and psychological health as a concern for the Association.’ “RaeQuan clearly meets the requirements, once again the NCAA has actually stopped working to do the right thing for the wellness and psychological health of the student-athlete. The ideal thing would improve the life of a young student-athlete and remedy his course to academic and athletic success.” While the official process has actually ended, Fight might have other options.North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker

was also denied both a waiver request and an interest play this season. He had actually mentioned psychological health and his ailing grandmother as reasons to sign up with the Tar Heels and move better to home.Following public criticism, UNC’s vocal reaction to the denial and legal pressure, the NCAA ultimately granted his waiver demand

, citing”new information.”Barring a modification, however, Battle would miss the

2023-24 season and be qualified to play next season.”It feels as though my psychological health issues and my extenuating circumstances are not valid in the eyes of the NCAA and that is very painful to me,” Fight said in the declaration.

“It is not lost on me that my issues– problems that are so typical throughout Native American communities, yet so frequently discounted and ignored are now being disregarded and waved away by an NCAA– the

same NCAA that does not count a single Tribal College or University amongst its members.”It is not lost on me that the NCAA, an organization which has all but neglected Native Americans and their concerns, has actually simply shut the door on me now that I’ve found a healthy outlet and positive, holistic approach to my wellness. Rather, they appear identified to remove among the couple of useful and successful outlets I’ve had in my life.”