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| Amanda Gil (1) -Volleyblog Seattle photos by Leslie Hamann |
After three appeals to the NCAA, Washington middle blocker Amanda Gil has learned she will not be granted one more year of
volleyball eligibility.
“The appeals have run their course for Amanda Gil,” says
Washington’s Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Kyle Pifer. “We made three requests to the NCAA, and all were
denied, unfortunately.”
“I’m happy to finally get answer,” says Gil, from her home in
Northern California, “even if it isn’t the answer I was looking for.”
Gil entered UCLA
in 2008, and was granted a release immediately after the 2009 season to
transfer to Washington. Under Pac-12 rules, she had to sit out the
2010 season. After a season-ending leg operation before the 2011 campaign, she
came back in 2012 to lead the nation in blocking.
In most cases, NCAA athletes are given up to five years to
complete four years of eligibility. Sixth years are surprisingly common, says
Pifer, granted by the NCAA when athletes if athletes miss two seasons for
circumstances beyond their control. In most cases, those circumstances relate
to injuries.
In Gil’s case, the question was whether the transfer from
UCLA was within her control. Gil maintained the transfer was, among other
things, primarily for academic reasons. But the NCAA ultimately found it did
not meet the “beyond control” standard.
“We will miss her,” says Washington coach Jim McLaughlin. “I loved coaching
Amanda.”
“I’ve been waiting for a decision one way or another for months,”
Gil says.” The longer you have to think about it, the harder it is to make
decisions about your future.”
In the long run, Gil hopes that future will include more
volleyball, including a chance to compete professionally overseas and a shot at
a spot on the US National Team
roster, perhaps joining Washington alumni Courtney Thompson and Tama Miyashiro, both Olympians.
In the short run, she needs to get her knee back to full
strength.
“I’m 100% committed to getting that leg ready to play,” says
Gil. “I’ll be back.”
“She’ll be successful because of who she is,” says
McLaughlin. “If she comes back strong, she can compete at the highest level.
But the most important thing now is for her to get fully healed and strengthen
that leg.”
Gil has been cleared for physical therapy, and hopes to
begin lifting weights in the weeks to come. She plans to continue coaching boys’
high school volleyball and girls’ club volleyball in the Bay Area.
And she leaves Washington with good feelings.
“I just want to thank everyone at Washington, my coaches, my
teammates, the staff, the fans. You don’t know how truly grateful I am for all
the love and support you’ve given me.”
See also:
So sorry to hear the news. Best of luck to Amanda with her rehab and future plans. She deserves the best
ReplyDeleteUW has ZERO depth in the middle, better pray for no injuries to the position.
ReplyDeleteAmanda is a terrific young woman. It's a pity she didn't get one more season.
ReplyDeleteAmanda has been a class act all the way. She was as nice as could be whenever I had the chance to chat with her and was a great addition to the Husky volleyball program. It's just too bad we never got to see her healthy and at the top of her game.
ReplyDeleteGo Dawgs!
Perhaps now with Keno leaving Jim will replace him with Amanda Gil? Who better to train a Middle than the #1 middle in the country? I still sad the NCAA didn't give Amanda her 6th year.
ReplyDeleteWould Jim really consider a past player? I never would have thought about putting Amanda forward as the next blocking coach until the previous poster mentioned it. Interesting thought she definitely know how to block and understands the way Jim coaches.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Amanda!!!!!
What a great opportunity for Amanda Gil to coach where she already has a excellent relationship with the coaching staff and players. Jim let your cell phone ring off the hook but when you see it's Amanda's number answer the phone and hire this lady soon you can get onto the business at hand and we can have a great upcoming season.
ReplyDelete