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The student-athletes of FAMU’s Football Team has written an open letter to University President Dr. Larry Robinson following last weeks news of 26 players receiving NCAA compliance violations ahead of their Week 0 contest against the University Of North Carolina. Sports Director for Tallahassee news affiliate ABC27 Allison Posey broke the news on Monday afternoon, sharing the letter on her Twitter feed.
BREAKING: The @FAMU_FB team has written a letter to FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson, addressing the issues within the University structure that have not been adequately resolved. pic.twitter.com/AECyWaZ4S3
— Alison Posey (@AlisonPosey14) August 29, 2022
Second part of that letter, complete with signatures from the team. https://t.co/hLBcGAvMnu pic.twitter.com/DavsOX7CNi
— Alison Posey (@AlisonPosey14) August 29, 2022
In the letter, the FAMU Football Team presented issues that they collectively have dealt with from the university. The letter addressed issues with financial aid, academic support/compliance, scholarship allocation to cover summer school and underrepresentation and lack of appreciation for their efforts. The letter also notes that no student-athletes on the football team are currently a part of the search committee for FAMU’s new Athletic Director. The university’s former athletic director Kortne Gosha resigned in late April.
According to the letter, the FAMU Football team kneeled in protest of the playing of the University Alma Mater. “We will not sing a song that begins ‘College of Love and Charity’ when we feel neither from the university,” the letter states.
BREAKING: Florida A&M issues a statement to football compliance concerns. pic.twitter.com/Eoeh05mmRy
— Alison Posey (@AlisonPosey14) August 30, 2022
FAMU has issued a response to the letter, also covered by Allison Posey. The response touted 13 of the 14 athletic programs meeting the Academic Progress Rate (APR) requirements set forth by the NCAA. The response didn’t directly address what the players presented in their letter. Several members of the football team have acquired legal representation to appeal their eligibility issues. Tom Mars, a lawyer that specializes in collegiate sports advocacy that was retained by two FAMU players, tweeted that FAMU has been reluctant to send needed paperwork to the NCAA on the player’s behalf.
Two FAMU players retained me yesterday to help FAMU seek reconsideration from the NCAA regarding their eligibility. FAMU has ignored multiple requests from us to see the paperwork that FAMU sent to the NCAA on their behalf. In contrast, Coach Simmons has been very supportive. 🤷🏻♂️
— Tom Mars (@TomMarsLaw) August 29, 2022
FAMU is set to play the Orange Blossom Classic against Jackson State University on September 4th, 2022 at 3 PM EST/2 PM CST.
