daisha simmons

Former Alabama women's basketball player Daisha Simmons now has the support from Alabama to the NCAA

(VASHA HUNT)

Alabama has changed its stance on former women's basketball player Daisha Simmons.

Simmons left the school and transferred to Seton Hall University after graduating from Alabama. She had a release from Alabama to talk to other schools, but an original letter sent to the NCAA from Alabama did not support Simmons' request to be immediately eligible.

The NCAA had granted Simmons eligibility in 2015-16. Now, the NCAA can reconsider the case with the new information, as spokesperson Chris Radford told AL.com last week. It is now up to the NCAA to determine if Simmons can play immediately. She is enrolled and practicing at Seton Hall and pursuing an MBA.

Simmons was a two-year starting guard at Alabama. She spent three years in Tuscaloosa, sitting out the first after originally transferring in from Rutgers.

This is the lengthy statement from University of Alabama athletics director Bill Battle.

"This afternoon, The University of Alabama contacted the NCAA to inform them that the University supports Daisha Simmons' request for a waiver from the NCAA allowing her to be eligible to play basketball at Seton Hall in 2014-15. This gives the NCAA the opportunity to revisit the situation, if they so desire, and to consider information that could be provided by Miss Simmons, including documentation that could substantiate significant medical issues in her family, that could affect her ability to be granted a waiver to be eligible for competition immediately.

"Much of the University's original decision not to endorse a waiver was based on the fact that Miss Simmons declined to provide any information supporting her reasoning for seeking a waiver. This was despite requests to obtain documentation verifying hardship to support a waiver request. Miss Simmons was told repeatedly of the requirements needed to obtain the waiver, as well as how such requirements were needed to justify the institution's endorsement of such a waiver. She refused to provide this, despite several opportunities and requests to do so.

"It bears noting that Miss Simmons did not meet any NCAA legislated transfer exceptions to be eligible for competition immediately since she had previously transferred from Rutgers University and The University of Alabama was renewing her athletics financial aid for the 2014-15 academic year, thus requiring her to seek a waiver of the eligibility regulations. The University's decision not to support the waiver was a small part of the facts the NCAA reviewed but, ultimately, the NCAA looks at the entire narrative supplied by the student and the applicant institution in determining whether or not to grant a waiver. Inaccurate reports in the media have cited the University's decision not to support a waiver as the lone determinant in Miss Simmons' ability to gain a waiver allowing her to play this season. The NCAA's ruling in this case gave Miss Simmons the opportunity to take care of any family concerns, focus on academics, and play next season. The University's ability to assist Miss Simmons in this case was greatly hindered by inconsistencies regarding her reasons for wanting to leave the University.

"As she had desired, Miss Simmons has enrolled in a Master's of Business Administration program specializing in sport management at Seton Hall. Her enrollment at Seton Hall, on scholarship, fulfilled her desire to attend college and play basketball near her home.

"There are many levels of due process involved in proceedings of this nature. The University of Alabama did not prevent Miss Simmons from transferring. Per her request, The University of Alabama granted schools near her home in New Jersey permission to contact Miss Simmons about the possibility of attending. Reports stating that Alabama would not release her are inaccurate.

"The University of Alabama emphatically supports head coach Kristy Curry and her staff. Throughout this process they have maintained a high level of integrity and ethical behavior."