UCLA Starter is Ineligible for 2003

[Vballkid]

UCLA all-conference men's volleyball player Cameron Mount has unknowingly used up his four years of collegiate eligibility and will not be able to play this season, as determined by head coach Al Scates.

Mount, a 6-foot-8 opposite hitter, was expected to provide firepower, leadership and experience as a senior for the Bruins' annual run at a national championship.

But Mount actually played as a senior last year.

Scates made the stunning discovery as he was going through some old score sheets in preparation for UCLA's preseason tournament in Canada two weeks ago. The records showed that Mount had played in one game of a preseason match in against York College in 1996, using up his freshman year.

Because Mount went on a two-year Mormon mission after the season, Scates forgot about the brief appearance and assumed Mount had redshirted the year and had four years of eligibility remaining.

"I really screwed up," Scates said.

"It came out of nowhere," senior setter and team captain Rich Nelson said. "It'll be a big loss for us on the court."

Mount could not be reached for comment. He got the bad news a few days before the Bruins left for Canada.

"He took it hard," Scates said.

Any UCLA wins with Mount on the court this season might have resulted in forfeits.

Mount was second on the team in kills and aces last season. He was a member of the 2000 national championship squad and finishes eighth on the all-time ace list with 83.

Because Mount will remain a UCLA student, he can train with the team in preparation for a career in the professional ranks.

Mount will play against his former teammates in Friday's alumni match, and UCLA will use the match to get a look at the candidates to start at his spot. Sophomore J.T. Wenger, who was cut from the team last season, has emerged as the favorite. Sophomore Brennan Prahler and junior college transfer Allen Vince, a converted middle blocker, are also in the mix.

"We're going to fight through it," Nelson said. "We're going out on top no matter what. We'll win it for Cameron."

[klop]

What a waste! If this happened in basketball or football or even women's volleyball, the coach would have a lot of questions to answer and would probably be out of a job in no time. This is mens vollyball so who the hell cares?

It's time for Scates to go.

[VBDOG]

Such a crack pot comment. Have you ever made a mistake. With Scate's record he obviously hasn't made too many of them. I'm sure he's hearing about it loud and clear. I feel for Mount. If it were my son I'd be in tears right now.

[Warrior Chica]

I admit I'm a Bruin-hater (to some extent) but I really feel sorry for Mount. He was a great player. But I still think UCLA will be a force to reckon with next year. Hopefully Hawaii can beat them at Pauly!

[roy]

That is really sad. As a Hawaii fan, I can't help but to hate UCLA but this is a real disappointment for Mount. He was a great player. I loved his energy on the court. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

[Bookumdanoaloha]

A major blow to the team. A very good player that is going to be hard to replace. The Bruins depth was questioned this year, losing Mounts will be tough. His
leadership will be even harder to replace. Good Luck to him. Aloha Cameron Mounts.

[Zeny]

Is that what you cal senility or Alzheimers?

[VBDOG]

Boy, I hope they can appeal and get a common sense ruling in his favor from the NCAA. He apparently played ONE game his freshman year, and it was probably a blow out where reserves were inserted. He didn't deserve to have a whole year punched because of one stinking, meaningless, pre-season game (not even a match!)

The happened about 6 years ago as I figure, before a Mormon mission hiatus. One can't hold the program to the fire for that kind of a miscalculation, but you do have to ask about the record keeping system they have in place. This is truly a travesty that I'd like to see the NCAA step up and make right.

[SteelyDan]

Is there a statute of limitations on when you can appeal or petition for redshirt status? When does the time run out?

[roy]

I highly doubt an appeal will work. He was subbed in and whether or not he even touched the ball, he played in a game. Letting him play would set a bad precedent. It means that teams can sub in a player for one game, change the momentum of the match and still allow their player to be eligible for 4 years. In any sport, once a player goes in, they can't redshirt without an injury that prevents them from playing the rest of the year. Again, I really feel for him. Its a shame, but his old coach should have known better.

[tnp101]

As a former athlete, I really feel bad for Mount. It has to be devastated coming back for your senior year, dying to play and going out on a bang, only has to sit and watch from the courtside because a stupid mistake that your coach has forgot.

It's a hindsight but I am wondering if you were a coach, would you tell? I think Al did the right thing, still though...

[VBDOG]

The new AD, Dan Guerero is cleaning up the issues that have plagued UCLA the last few years with Harrick, and most recently this past year with the football team, and other NCAA "violations," big or small. I'm sure his influence was being felt by the coaches to report it so a bigger, potential travesty would be averted if the entire season had to be forfieted if this news hit at the end of the season. You have to give them credit for having the guts to report it. Lessor people would have tried to hide it. IMO.

[Bookumdanoaloha]

Good point about cleaning house at UCLA. I doubt there is much you can do regarding Mounts situation. Remember last year when Penn State lost Mills because he played Club Ball. Appeals didn't help. Scates made a mistake and took responsibility for it. He did the right thing, even though he wasn't happy about it.

[Beachy]

As bad as I feel for Mount, I can't help but think also that this young man should graduate and move on. He is 26y/o playing against freshman that are only 19.

[LOL]

wow thats old