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Mizzou AD Jim Sterk gets choked up talking about impact of postseason ban
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
With a win against Arkansas on Friday, the Missouri Tigers will finish the regular season at 6-6, which, in, any other year, would make them bowl eligible. It will also give them 4 straight wins over the Razorbacks.
It will be a bit of a hollow victory, though, as a 1-year postseason ban imposed upon the university in January impacting several athletic programs, including football, was been upheld by the NCAA on Tuesday. The ban was originally placed after it was found that a tutor had completed coursework for a number of student-athletes.
Following the announcement, Mizzou athletic director Jim Sterk met with the media and became emotional while speaking about the impact the decision would have on upperclassmen whose careers would end without a chance at playing in the postseason.
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“This is a really hurtful decision…because it impacts so many student-athletes,” Sterk said as his voice broke. “When our coaches are talking to kids that have the eligibility left, that (it’s) their senior year and they can’t go to postseason play, it’s really, really difficult.”
Along with football, the softball and baseball programs have been placed under the ban.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
