NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara University Athletic Department has lost its appeal with the NCAA regarding the eligibility of men’s basketball student-athlete Miroslav Palenik (Nitra, Slovakia), thus ending his Niagara basketball career.
The NCAA Eligibility Center ruled that Palenik was certified with conditions and must serve a 110-game penalty. After his high school graduation and before his enrollment at Weatherford College, Palenik competed for two seasons (55 games) in the Slovak Basketball Association’s Extraliga.
The NCAA determined that the team Palenik played for was professional. Therefore, Palenik competed with professionals after his first opportunity to enroll in college, thus equaling the 2-for-1 penalty. The NCAA defines first opportunity to enroll as the fall immediately following high school graduation.
"I am extremely disappointed in the committee’s decision," Niagara Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin said. "While I felt that we had a solid reason for an appeal, the committee did not feel there was enough mitigating evidence to support our appeal."
While Palenik, who transferred to Niagara after playing for two seasons at Weatherford, never crossed the threshold of professionalism by signing a contract, hiring an agent or getting paid, members of his team in Nitra, Slovakia did.
"As an institution, we will do everything in our power to help Miroslav continue his educational and basketball career," McLaughlin added.
The university appealed the decision to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee, an independent committee comprised of representatives from NCAA member colleges, universities and athletic conferences.
