After an event-filled day, the FAMU football team eventually boarded its chartered flight to North Carolina yesterday to take on the UNC Tar Heels. The Rattlers left behind as many as 20 football players who have yet to be cleared for participation by the NCAA.
In a statement, FAMU football coach Willie Simmons said the team initially decided not to play after learning Thursday night that seven offensive linemen were deemed ineligible. Three other offensive line on the team were nursing injuries, leaving the Rattlers just seven healthy offensive linemen.
Simmons said players are frustrated with many of the school’s internal processes in the (NCAA) certification process. Simmons added the responsibility also falls on players to adhere to university and NCAA rules.
But after further discussion Friday, the team ultimately decided to play the game and flew from Florida to North Carolina for the season opener for both teams. Kickoff time for the game is 8:15 p.m. ET, on the ACC Network.
25 transfers on roster
Through the offseason recruiting period FAMU football signed 25 transfers using the "transfer portal", which from a compliance standpoint can sometimes slow down the certification process as universities work to receive and certify grades from other schools. The process is particularly compounded if you are short staffed, and you don't stay on top of it.
This still doesn't negate the fact, that there appears to be some internal breakdown or lapses in FAMU athletics. After all, summer school ended the first week of August and the spring semester ended in early Mary.
In addition to the one full-time compliance officer listed on FAMU athletics website, the university's compliance office is reportedly assisting athletics. FAMU football also has a full-time director of football operations responsible for the day-to-day operations of Rattler football who could, or should, have kept up with the status of players along with the coaches.
UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham told the Charolette Observer, “confirming eligibility for the first game happens right until the last minute. We didn’t have everybody confirmed from an eligibility standpoint until this (Friday) morning. It’s not unusual.”
“Clearing eligibility at the beginning of each semester can be a tedious process because of freshmen transcripts, summer school for continuing students and trekking progress toward a degree,” Cunningham added.