Swilling Denied NCAA Waiver To Play Football

Tulsa football player Pat Swilling Jr. has been denied a “Progress Towards Degree” waiver by the NCAA, he announced on Twitter late Tuesday night.

“Today the @NCAA denied my request of a Progress Towards Degree waiver to play football this semester for the University of Tulsa because they lacked confidence I would complete my remaining 27 hrs left to graduate while they insisted they understood the circumstances,” Swilling (@patrickswilling) said.

“I truly appreciate the opportunity @TUCoachBlank (Tulsa head coach Bill Blankenship) and the program has given me and I look forward to following our success this season. #Blue”

Swilling was dismissed from the basketball team earlier this year when he was under investigation for a January sexual assault. The university and Tulsa district attorney cleared him of any wrongdoing in April and he joined the football team in June.

 4/2/14 RELATED STORY: Swilling Cleared Of Wrongdoing By University

 6/11/14 RELATED STORY: Swilling Making Change From Hardwood To Gridiron For Tulsa

The former student has since filed a lawsuit against the university claiming she was never taken seriously when she reported the rape to TU authorities. The suit says the university violated Title IX by scheduling a disciplinary hearing without a proper investigation first.

 8/18/14 RELATED STORY: Former TU Student Claims School Didn't Take Sexual Assault Report Seriously