Abraham Ngetich from Iona: Eligibility Question

The same way that if you asked Richard Kiplagat his proper age just now and worked out what age he was when running NCAA competition you'd realize he was way too old.....

Much like josh rohatinsky in that regard...

there is no "age limit" in Division I.

The rule basically states that for every year after your 21st birthday that you compete in a given sport in ORGANIZED COMPETITION prior to full time enrollment in a two or four year college or university you spend a year of eligibility.

There is an exemption for this rule if you are in the military which would allow you to compete after your 21st birthday and prior to full time enrollment without spending any eligibility.

The rule is sport specific. So, if you are high school baseball player, get drafted and got to a professional baseball organization until you are 25, you could still enter college to play football, or run track or whatever when you are 25 as a freshman with 5 years to use 4 years of eligibility.

Though I don't know the particulars of his exact situation, I have been to the Eldoret area and I have spoken to many Kenyans, both runners and non runners here in the states. Most likey, Ngetich, living in rural Kenya, did not participate in any organized track and field meets (because their really aren't any)or cross country races after his 21st birthday and prior to enrolling in his teacher's college in Kenya. Thus, his 5 year clock started the day he enrolled in teacher's college regardless of his age.

There is this perception that the whole Kenyan culture is centered around running and competition. It is not. Kenyans from Ngetich's area and probable economic background are more concerned about what, or if, they will eat tomorrow, what they will have to put on their backs, if they will have a roof over their heads or if the Kikuyu down the street is a feeling a little too much intertribal antimosity, than they are about finding or competing in some "track meet" someplace.

Am I alone in thinking that some sort investigative action should be taken against Iona? It's crazy, 27 years old vs. 19-20 year old kids is a world of difference.

Think about the difference between 20 and 13.

Read the above post. There is not an age limit and N'getich and Iona were within all the NCAA rules.

yeah i think your alone.

If you want to throw Iona under the bus you better line up Ok State (where Abraham was originally supposed to attend), Alabama, NAU, Auburn, UTEP, Arkansas and many many many others.

Fact is the DI NCAA DOES allow athletes well over 21 to participate (see earlier post) sorry...

Within your argument the age difference between a 5th year senior that graduated HS late (18+5=23) SHOULD NOT be able to compete against a young incoming freshman (17)?!

On a side note... I LOVE these posts. <3

It is amazing that in 2008 there is still SO much racism in America.

Negative posters of this site love talking down the "black" international student-athlete but RARLY mention anything negative about their "white" international student-athlete counterpart.

You don’t think any of the Europeans & Aussie/Kiwi's that have come through the NCAA weren’t well over 21 when they arrived??

Chris Rock

"It's all right because it's all WHITE"