NCAA to determine SU’s Eligibility

The ambience of the Southern University athletic department was as calm as usual on Thursday. 
The men and women’s basketball team intensely prepared to continue their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) reign on Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday. At the Lee-Hines Field, the baseball team prepared to play its opener against Grambling and the football staff prepared for spring practice. 
The Athletic Director, William Broussard, and his team are working hard to fight a deadline to fulfill the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s  (NCAA) request for necessary documentation to have the tournament ban lifted for the Jags. 
The ban became public knowledge on Thursday, but it was already known in December. 
Southern University was chosen at random for academic review by the NCAA to submit necessary data on such deadline. 
Athletic Director, William Broussard spoke on the choosing for such reviews deemed by the NCAA.
“It is not just Southern that is targeted for academic review, but there are other schools than HBCU’s that are chosen for such review.” 
As of right now, our conference will not allow us to compete in the SWAC championships unless the deadline has been met and the NCAA lifts the ban. 
Upon that, track and field feels that heavy blow and will not be able to compete in the SWAC championship on February 22nd due to the unlikely circumstances of this case.
It is imperative that documentation is finished for all winter sports such as men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, and bowling; but all sports are affected.
Both basketball teams performed well during conference play this season. The men have 10 wins and the women have 12. This places them at the top of the SWAC and leads them into good standing of tournament play, which starts March 11th -15th.
If the NCAA committee does not lift the ban, the basketball team will not be eligible for tournament play. 
Business Management major, Taylor Williams, from Natchitoches dictated that there is no point on arriving at the game if the ban isn’t dropped.
“It’s pointless to go to the games and events knowing that we are playing to lose. Let’s face it, reality has to set in. On the other hand, I feel sorry for the Jags that play their heart out to represent the school because they don’t deserve that mental punishment.”
With deadlines approaching, the athletic department is rushing to submit necessary corrections to satisfy the NCAA’s request. 
“We will continue working and remain committed with working until the NCAA puts us in good standing for playing in the tournament for all sports,” Broussard says. 
Men’s basketball Head Coach, Roman Banks, feels a heavy blow when it comes to finishing and entering the tournament due to 2012-2013 season success upon entering the tournament. The last time the men’s basketball team entered the tournament was in the 2005-2006 season under the tutelage of former head coach Rob Spivey.
Per Les East of the Advocate, Banks says,  “It’s disappointing. You feel bad for the players. They trust and believe in you. But we have to focus on basketball.”
He also stated after the loss against Arkansas Pine Bluff that, “Kids asked me what are we playing for?”
 Banks ended by saying, “Even though this situation hurts, I answer with, you were chose to represent the university and play basketball and we play for pride of yourself, the sport, and the university.” 
The athletic department is working to retrieve all required documentation.