Spring Break
The Daily OrangeA delicate line
As the NCAA reviews its guidelines on pregnant athletes, Syracuse clarifies its policy by putting it in writing
By Zach Schonbrun
Posted: 10/1/07, 11:12 PM EST Section: Sports
According to Tim Neal, assistant director of athletics for sports medicine at SU, the policy and stipulations are written clearly on an athlete's scholarship as well as in the manual. He admits, though, rules are sometimes overlooked or forgotten once the letter of intent has been signed.
"I think it's a matter of there's so many things for an athlete to remember," Neal said in a phone interview, "and it never occurs to them that they may not play for a period of time or ever again as a result of a medical condition. That's probably not the first or foremost thing they're thinking about."
At the time of the story last spring, Goodwin would not comment on why she chose to play while significantly pregnant, only saying she let head coach Quentin Hillsman know of her situation the night before the final game of the season on Feb. 25, at which point Hillsman informed the team training staff.
Goodwin and Hillsman both declined to be interviewed for this story.
Little has changed in the way the Syracuse athletics training staff educates athletes regarding pregnancy since news of Goodwin's pregnancy and birth. Neal said the staff meets with each team specifically before the year starts in the summer to go over basic health education agendas. Nothing was mentioned about pregnancy this summer, despite the fact the policy had just been officially put in writing. Neal also said that decision was purely coincidental to Goodwin's situation.
Barbara Henderson, senior associate director of athletics and senior women's administrator at Syracuse, said the administration might also meet with some SU coaches of women's teams to make sure the athletes are aware of Syracuse's new policy, but that hasn't happened yet.
The Daily Orange spoke to a former female Syracuse athlete who became pregnant while at SU in the past. The athlete - who chose to remain anonymous for the story - decided to end her athletic career after finding out she was pregnant, foregoing her remaining year of eligibility.
"I think it's a matter of there's so many things for an athlete to remember," Neal said in a phone interview, "and it never occurs to them that they may not play for a period of time or ever again as a result of a medical condition. That's probably not the first or foremost thing they're thinking about."
At the time of the story last spring, Goodwin would not comment on why she chose to play while significantly pregnant, only saying she let head coach Quentin Hillsman know of her situation the night before the final game of the season on Feb. 25, at which point Hillsman informed the team training staff.
Goodwin and Hillsman both declined to be interviewed for this story.
Little has changed in the way the Syracuse athletics training staff educates athletes regarding pregnancy since news of Goodwin's pregnancy and birth. Neal said the staff meets with each team specifically before the year starts in the summer to go over basic health education agendas. Nothing was mentioned about pregnancy this summer, despite the fact the policy had just been officially put in writing. Neal also said that decision was purely coincidental to Goodwin's situation.
Barbara Henderson, senior associate director of athletics and senior women's administrator at Syracuse, said the administration might also meet with some SU coaches of women's teams to make sure the athletes are aware of Syracuse's new policy, but that hasn't happened yet.
The Daily Orange spoke to a former female Syracuse athlete who became pregnant while at SU in the past. The athlete - who chose to remain anonymous for the story - decided to end her athletic career after finding out she was pregnant, foregoing her remaining year of eligibility.
Be the first to comment on this story