ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997 TAG: 9701200113
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Virginia point guard Harold Deane has been suspended for a men's basketball game tonight with Duke in what has been described as a misunderstanding by UVa athletic director Terry Holland.
The NCAA has ruled that Deane was ineligible Wednesday night at Wake Forest because he was not enrolled for the minimum number of credit hours and required him to sit out tonight's game as punishment.
Deane, a senior who is on schedule to graduate with his class in May, was enrolled in 11 credit hours. The minimum for a student-athlete to retain his or her eligibility is 12.
``Harold thought that he had the same ability as other UVa students to add into a class during the drop-add period,'' Holland said. ``Unfortunately, that luxury does not exist for student-athletes.''
Deane said he was waiting for an adviser's signature for a class he needed for his major.
``The NCAA requirement could have been met by signing up for any course, rather than waiting for the one he needed,'' Holland said.
``In this case, the academic-advising office thought the five-day beginning-of-semester exemption applied to competition as well as practice. It applies only to practice.''
Fellow senior Jamal Robinson is likely to replace Deane in the starting lineup for tonight's game. Deane, second on the team in scoring (13.9) and first in assists (4.9), is expected to return to action Wednesday night when the Cavaliers entertain Georgia Tech.
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