Schifino ruled ineligible at California (Pa.)
Drew Schifino can't win.
The much-traveled California (Pa.) senior guard has been ruled ineligible for the remainder of the men's basketball season because he took part in an individual workout with an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State prior to enrolling at NCAA Division II California.
Tom Pucci, athletic director at California, said Monday that the school was preparing a report to be submitted to the NCAA infractions committee, but that there was no timetable for possible sanctions.
"It's an unfortunate situation. We're not criticizing the NCAA. We're a member institution in good standing and fully support the organization's decisions," Pucci said. "We thought we did everything by the book to make sure Drew was eligible to play. He proved to be a leader on the team and a valuable member of the program."
Prior to informing the coaching staff at Middle Tennessee State that he was withdrawing, Schifino participated in the workout, which, under NCAA rules, prohibited him from playing at another NCAA school this season.
"We're devastated about this ruling -- not for the program, but for Drew Schifino," Pucci said. "He's an outstanding young man and a great player, and we'll continue to support Drew in his Cal career."
The 6-foot-3 Schifino, a former West Virginia star, played in California's first 11 games this season, helping the Vulcans to an 8-3 record. He led the team in scoring and was among the leaders in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with an average of 19.3 points per game. He also ranked third on the team in rebounding (5 rpg.) and contributed 23 assists, 18 steals and 2 blocked shots.
The former Penn Hills star finished his high school career with 2,318 points and set a WPIAL single-season playoff record with 147 points in four games.
He averaged 28.0 points and 5.0 rebounds for Bridgton (Conn.) Academy before heading to West Virginia, where he was an all-Big East Conference selection before leaving the team midway through last season over a dispute with coach John Beilein.
He enrolled at Middle Tennessee State this summer because his brother, former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Jake Schifino, was living nearby. But Schifino withdrew from the school prior to the beginning of classes because he would have been required to sit out one season for transferring from one Division I school to another.
It led to his decision to return closer to home and enroll at California, where he missed the past four games while the school appealed its case to the NCAA.
"It's going to be hard going to the games and watching after all I've been through," Schifino said. "It's been a crazy ride. It's been tough."
Schifino said he wants to remain at California to pursue a degree in sports management. He would be eligible to return to the Vulcans next season but would be required to sit out 11 games.
California, the three-time defensive PSAC Western Division champion, plays at No. 12 Indiana (Pa.) on Wednesday.
"I still support Drew's drive toward getting a degree and I hope he's able to overcome this adversity," California coach Bill Brown said. "The team will miss his contributions for the rest of the season, but my concern is for the well-being of Drew Schifino."
