Jan. 9, 2004
I really feel the NCAA has done a disservice in the permanent suspension of Florida State junior Diego Romero. It's an injustice to the young man, who came to the Seminoles this season from Lon Morris Junior College, to be penalized after the NCAA made a rule change that ended his eligibility.

While Romero was enrolled at Lon Morris, the NCAA put in place stricter eligibility conditions for foreign players who had accepted money overseas. Originally, the rules stated that those who played for pay overseas would be suspended for up to 20 percent of their team's games (up to eight games total). But in August 2003, that was changed to permanent banishment.

The NCAA change happened after he left Lon Morris, so Romero should have been grandfathered in under the old rule. Instead, he's suffering unfairly.

Romero should have been grandfathered in under the old rule. Instead, he's suffering unfairly.

Reports indicate that Romero, a 6-10 forward, received expenses that totaled less than $3,000 over two-plus seasons for his club team in Argentina. That money helped cover public transportation to attend practice. All indications are that Romero did not receive money for housing.

His intent was to eventually play in the United States and receive an education here. This is supposed to be the land of opportunity, and he went to junior college with the intent of going to Division I in the long run.

Romero has done everything the right way as a student on the junior college level. He shouldn't be penalized so severely. A permanent ban is too harsh in this situation. It's a slap in the face to a youngster who has done things the right way.

Florida State started the process of applying for the reinstatement of Romero's eligibility last July. This saga has gone on long enough. It is time for the NCAA to rule in favor of this young man. Hey guys, understand that we are in the business of helping kids, not hurting them. Here's an athlete who deserves to be wearing the Florida State uniform right now.

Florida State's athletic administration (led by athletics director Dave Hart) and coach Leonard Hamilton are leading the charge to get Romero reinstated. ACC commissioner John Swofford has come forward and said that he feels the ruling is wrong. These are good people, veterans in collegiate athletics, lobbying for the NCAA to do the right thing. The school president reportedly plans to make a personal appeal to NCAA president Myles Brand.

Two years at a junior college and summer school at Florida State didn't matter in terms of beating the timing of the rule change. That isn't right. It's time for the NCAA management council to do the right thing and give Romero his eligibility. This kid has suffered enough.

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