Jan. 8, 2002

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri Department of Intercollegiate Athletics was advised by the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee that the school's request for reinstatement of eligibility for men's basketball student-athlete Uche Okafor has been denied.

A teleconference was held today as MU officials appealed the December decision of the NCAA Staff that initially denied Okafor's eligibility. NCAA policies and procedures do not allow for today's decision to be appealed any further. Okafor, who has been allowed to practice with the team pending the appeal, will no longer be able to practice, but he will remain on scholarship.

"This is a sad day," said Okafor. "I truly believe that I have done nothing to deserve such a decision, but that is what I have been dealt, and I will move on from it. I'm upset that I won't be able to be part of this team. My teammates have been very supportive of me and my situation, and I'm disappointed that I can't help them anymore. I'm very appreciative for the support I have had from everyone involved with my case, there are a lot of people who have worked so very hard to help me," he said.

"Disappointed hardly describes my feelings for the situation," said MU Head Coach Quin Snyder. "Uche deserves to play collegiate basketball, regardless of whether at Missouri or elsewhere. I believe that the assertion that he had intent to professionalize is an inaccurate portrayal of his situation. We've had our day in court, so to speak, and it didn't go our way. We will continue to give Uche our support and let him know that he's part of our family," he said.

"We are all very disappointed that the reinstatement committee did not share our point of view," said Director of Athletics Mike Alden. "This has been a long, drawn-out process that has been very taxing on everyone involved. Uche is an outstanding young man, and our thoughts are with him in this tough time," he said.