UC Wide Receiver's NCAA Waiver Request Denied
University of Cincinnati wide receiver Vidal Hazelton (Staten Island, N.Y./Hargrave Military Academy/USC) had his request for an NCAA waiver for immediate eligibility denied, head coach Brian Kelly announced Wednesday.
Hazelton, a transfer from USC, had been seeking a waiver of the transfer residency requirement, which requires student athletes to sit out a season after transferring to another Football Bowl Subdivision school.
Hazelton transferred to Cincinnati to be closer to his grandfather in Georgia who is suffering from Cancer.
The waiver was denied based upon case precedent, stating there was not sufficient evidence that Hazelton had responsibility in the care of his grandfather, or that his grandfather's medical condition had worsened.
Hazelton led the Trojans with 50 catches and four receiving touchdowns in 2007, but was limited to six catches in eight games during the 2008 season due to an ankle injury.
He will have one year of eligibility remaining and be able to play in the fall of 2010.
The Bearcats, the 2008 BIG EAST Champions, will open the 2009 season on Monday, Sept. 7, in a 4 p.m. BIG EAST Conference game at Rutgers.
