Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec responded to the NCAA denying Brendan Sorsby's request for eligibility reinstatement for the 2026 season.
The NCAA ruled Sorsby permanently ineligible following an investigation into his gambling violations. Sorsby bet on college sports, including on Indiana football while playing for the Hoosiers in 2022.
Texas Tech shared a letter from Schovanec following the NCAA's decision. Schovanec announced that the university will appeal.
"We believe that given the facts and the context of Brendan’s case, the NCAA’s ruling should be reversed or modified," Schovanec wrote. "As a generation of college athletes face the legalization and rapid proliferation of sports betting in our country, gambling addiction is rising to the point of epidemic among college aged men in particular."
Texas Tech challenges NCAA ruling
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Schovanec said Texas Tech welcomed Sorsby back to campus after he "completed an intensive inpatient treatment program for a diagnosed gambling addiction and anxiety disorder." The school has implemented a "comprehensive" and "thoughtful" plan focused on his recovery.
"Brendan himself has been open about his struggle with severe gambling addiction, and we believe his vulnerability deserves to be met with the full weight of this institution’s support," Schovanec said. "Our foremost priority in contemplating Brendan's future with Texas Tech is his continued health and wellbeing."
Schovanec noted that the NCAA's chief medical officer has called for a "harm reduction approach" to student-athletes dealing with gambling problems so they're not afraid to seek help. He urged the NCAA to "follow their own stated principles" and give Sorsby more leniency.
"The NCAA bylaws governing Brendan’s case have not adapted to the era of widespread legalized sports betting that this generation of college athletes now has to navigate," Schovanec said. "He is not the first college athlete to face gambling addiction, and unfortunately, he will not be the last. Our responsibility as higher education leaders is to create environments that support young people’s growth, maturation, and success, fit for the times in which they live.
"Given that Brendan has taken accountability for his addiction and actions, a brave act in any circumstance, but especially under the intense scrutiny of a national spotlight, we believe that the best path forward for him is on campus, among his teammates, embraced by the strength of this community."
