Wed Apr 30 17:08:10 2008

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NCAA denies appeal of Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk

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Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - University of Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk had his request for reconsideration on his original waiver for a sixth year of eligibility denied by the NCAA on Wednesday.

The request for reconsideration was based on new information submitted regarding a foot injury Mauk suffered during his high school career. Prior to enrolling at Wake Forest University, Mauk required an additional operation on the foot in the spring of 2003.

The NCAA's decision to deny the appeal was based on a lack of contemporaneous medical documents from Wake Forest. However, the Mauk family plans to continue to work with Ben's former college coaches and the Wake Forest University medical staff to collect the needed information.

"This is just another step through the NCAA process and is nothing out of the ordinary," said Bearcats coach Brian Kelly. "The Mauks will continue to work through it. The next step in the NCAA process will give Ben his first opportunity to speak directly with the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee."

The Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee is a panel of athletics directors, faculty representatives, and conference commissioners who has the authority to determine all matters pertaining to the policies and procedures for the reinstatement of eligibility for a student-athlete.

In January of 2008, Mauk first attempted to regain the year he lost in 2003 when he sat out the season at Wake Forest.

Mauk spent four years with the Demon Deacons before graduating and transferring to Cincinnati for the 2007-08 academic year. He sat out the 2003 season as a redshirt and played in 18 games for Wake Forest from 2004-06. He broke his right arm and dislocated his shoulder in the first game of the 2006 season at Wake Forest, and missed the entire season.

Mauk played in 12 of 13 games with Cincinnati during the 2007 season, and set a program record with 31 passing touchdowns. He helped lead UC to 10-3 record including a victory in the Papajohns.com Bowl.

The graduate-transfer ended the year completing 235-of-386 passes for 3,121 yards.