Locke ruled ineligible for 2010 track season, will remain on scholarship at UT

Posted Jan 5, 2010 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 5, 2010 at 07:31 PM

Due to a ruling by the NCAA Clearinghouse, former Chamberlain track star Dentarius Locke is academically ineligible for the 2010 indoor and outdoor college seasons but will be able to remain on athletic scholarship at the University of Tennessee.

Initially, Locke and his coaches believed he had met all NCAA eligibility requirements and would be able to compete for the Volunteers this year as one of their top sprinters. But the NCAA Clearinghouse ruled that two classes Locke took last summer did not count toward meeting his core grade point average requirement and as a result, he would have to forfeit his scholarship. That decision meant Locke had to return text books, could not attend athletic study halls or use the Vols’ training facilities. He also faced the possibility of having to repay the scholarship he received, which in out-of-state tuition fees totaled more than $10,000.

Locke, last year’s Class 4A state champion at 100 and 200 meters who set state records in both events, immediately appealed the ruling to the NCAA but for more than six weeks, Locke said he had to attend classes without text books and train on his own. For one English class alone, Locke said he was forced to return seven textbooks. He said the lack of books to study with caused him to drop three classes but he managed to pass four.

“It was horrible,” Locke said of the time he was in limbo during the appeal. “I was shocked and disappointed. I thought I had done everything I was suppose to do in order to be eligible and the next thing I knew, I was giving back my books and wondering how I was going to pay back all that money.”
 
Late last month, the Clearinghouse informed Locke he could retain his scholarship but would have to sit out his freshman season. Locke said he plans to redshirt this year but will compete at select track meets as an unattached athlete.

“I’m trying to look at the positives of all this,” Locke said. “I just need to stay focused on school and what I need to do to reach the next level.”