WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: Freshman has not passed NCAA Clearinghouse

Investigation centers on a disputed eighth grade class

One member of Ball State's women's volleyball's talented 2010 recruiting class may be ineligible this season because of dispute over a class she took in eighth grade, coach Steve Shondell said.

Mindy Marx, a 6-foot middle blocker, won't be on campus until the NCAA Clearinghouse clears her. The NCAA is saying Marx duplicated a class she took as an eight grader, putting her a class short of college eligibility this season.

Grand Haven High (Grand Haven, Mich.), where Marx attended high school, denies the allegation and is working with the NCAA to get Marx cleared so she doesn't miss any practices or games.

"We were hoping to hear something by yesterday," Shondell said Saturday after the team scrimmage in which Marx participated. "She's got to go home (Sunday) because she's not allowed to stay here.

"All we can do is wait."

Marx has been on campus practicing with the team during preseason, but is not allowed to stay on campus until she is cleared.

The NCAA Eligibility Center has five requirements for each student-athlete to be given eligibility: graduating from high school, complete a minimum of 16 core classes approved by the NCAA, meet the GPA requirement, report the SAT or ACT score, and complete the amateurism questionnaire.

Ball State opens its season Friday against The Citadel in the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Volleyball Classic. Shondell said he is confident the situation will be settled and Marx will be allowed to rejoin the team without missing much time.

"We're hoping to hear something very soon," he said. "We want her to be able to play this weekend."

Pat Quinn, who is in charge of NCAA rule compliance for Ball State, was unavailable for comment because the athletic department's offices were closed this weekend.


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