Football's Ben Mauk Denied Sixth Year Of Eligibility By NCAA

Sept. 3, 2008

CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk was denied a sixth year of eligibility, the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee announced Wednesday.

The committee, consisting of five individuals from NCAA Division I conferences and institutions, upheld the NCAA staff's Aug. 27 decision to deny the extension of eligibility request for the UC signal caller.

"Our review of the facts as presented and possible mitigating factors for this eligibility request was extensive and thorough, exhausting all avenues in the administrative procedures and ensuring a fair process for this student-athlete," said Carol Iwaoka, NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee chair and associate commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. "Even after reviewing the latest information, the committee was unable to identify compelling factors that might be viewed as beyond the control of the student-athlete and the University of Cincinnati."

NCAA rules indicate that a Division I student-athlete can complete his or her four seasons within five years from initial full-time enrollment. Based on legislation adopted by NCAA member institutions, a member college or university must demonstrate the student-athlete was denied at least two participation opportunities for reasons beyond the control of the student-athlete or the institution in order to have an extension of this time period.

Although the university was able to establish the 2006-07 season was a denied participation opportunity when Mr. Mauk was granted a hardship waiver, Cincinnati was unable to establish a second denied participation opportunity. Based on exhaustive review of all the information, the committee determined that the student-athlete was not incapacitated due to medical reasons, and was unable to identify other compelling factors to grant an extension of time under the five year rule.

The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff considered the matter three times, after two requests for reconsideration from the University of Cincinnati based on new information. Institutions may appeal staff denials to the committee. In this latest appeal, the committee reviewed the information submitted by the university and provided Mr. Mauk with the opportunity to speak directly to the committee. The committee considered in total the original appeal information, all new information submitted during the latest review and statements made during the teleconference appeal.

Mauk played in 12 of 13 games in a Cincinnati uniform during the 2007 season, and set a program record with 31 passing touchdowns. As the head of the UC offense, Mauk helped established school season records for scoring (472 points), touchdowns (63), and passing touchdowns (36), while leading UC to a No. 17 final Associated Press ranking and a 10-3 finish. He ended the year completing 235-of-386 passes (60.9 percent) for 3,121 yards through the air and was 11th in the nation in passing efficiency (150.64).

Mauk earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Wake Forest University in May of 2007. Mauk is currently pursuing his master's degree in criminal justice at the University of Cincinnati.

The appeal to the committee was the last action available with the NCAA for Mauk to gain the approval to play in games this season. The University will have no further comment on this matter at this time.