Big 12 ADs in favor of misconduct rule for transfers

The Big 12's athletic directors support a transfer rule preventing players who have had misconduct issues at their previous schools from transferring into the conference.

According to the AP, support for the rule is unanimous.

 

From the AP:

In a text to The Associated Press, Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Tuesday that conference ADs meeting in New Orleans ''supported a policy draft similar to that of the (Southeastern Conference).'' Bowlsby said the draft would still need to be refined and submitted to a joint council of faculty athletic representatives and athletic directors for approval.

The SEC instituted a transfer ban on players who have had "serious misconduct" issues at their former schools. The rule was approved in May and came after former Georgia DT Jonathan Taylor was dismissed from Alabama after a domestic violence accusation against him. Taylor was dismissed from Georgia because of domestic violence allegations. He transferred to Alabama while charges were pending in Georgia.

The SEC defines serious misconduct as sexual assault, domestic violence or other forms of sexual violence.

The Big 12's move to support the rule comes on the heels of the controversy surrounding former Boise State DE Sam Ukwuachu's rape conviction. Ukwuachu, who was sentenced to 180 days in prison and 10 years probation on Friday, was convicted of raping a former Baylor soccer player in the fall of 2013. He transferred to Baylor after he was dismissed from Boise State in May of 2013 and never played a down for Baylor.

According to ESPN, Ukwuachu was diagnosed with depressive disorder three days before he was dismissed from Boise State on May 6, 2013. However, given what's been reported heavily over the past week, it's unclear at best if Ukwuachu would have been subject to the Big 12's potential transfer ban.

He was not dismissed from the university, and according to a statement from Boise State on Tuesday night, the school did not know of his domestic violence issues. His former girlfriend at Boise State testified at the sexual assault trial that he had physically abused her. The school said the accusations were not reported while Ukwuachu was at Boise State.

The ESPN report details an April 2013 incident where Ukwuachu had suicidal thoughts.

"[Student-athlete] had voluntarily walked in stating [he] had suicidal thoughts & a plan to carry out (hanging)," Paul wrote in his notes. "Was w/ girlfriend @ time."

Ukwuachu received counseling throughout his 72-hour hold and left the hospital on April 14, 2013. On April 25, 2013, Paul met with Ukwuachu's girlfriend to discuss their relationship. She said they had been in an argument but believed their situation was getting better, "but wishes he would retake anger management classes," according to Paul's notes. Paul told her their relationship was scary for a number of reasons.

"We know there [are] issues [including] verbal abuse," Paul wrote. "She acknowledged arguments & name calling/yelling, etc., but refused to elaborate further. When asked if [she] would admit if physical violence occurs, stated [probably] not & quickly added 'but he's much better now & has it under control.'"

At the bottom of his notes, Paul wrote: "NOT Healthy Relationship!"