MADISON – Nyzier Fourqurean’s battle with the NCAA is over.
On Friday, Nov. 21 the University of Wisconsin football player dropped a lawsuit against college sport’s governing body that sought to give him an additional year of athletic eligibility.
Fourqurean’s issue with the NCAA started in January when he appealed for an additional year of eligibility. He cited the mental and emotional hardship he faced while attending and competing for Grand Valley State in 2021, a season when he played sparingly as he mourned the death of his father.
The NCAA denied that request, a decision that led him to seek relief from the courts. That led to the preliminary injunction he received in February that put him on track to play for the Badgers this season.
The NCAA, however, won its appeal of the decision July 15 and the injunction was lifted, leaving Fourqurean ineligible pending resolution of the case. On July 31, Fourqurean filed an amended complaint and on Aug. 19 sought injunctive relief that would have allowed him to play while the case was ongoing. He didn’t receive it.
Meanwhile, the case worked slowly through the courts. The next scheduled court date was in May. The football season will end for Wisconsin on Nov. 29.
Nyzier Fourqurean explains why he dropped NCAA lawsuit
Fourqurean shared on X, the former Twitter, his rationale for dropping the case, writing that he was disappointed and could no longer keep his coaches and teammates waiting for a decision.
“The judge knew I wanted to play this year and told me during a hearing call that he would rule in the last week of September during our bye week. He never did,” Fourqurean wrote. “My coaches, teammates and I waited and waited and still nothing from the judge since.”
During his weekly news conference Oct. 20, Badgers coach Luke Fickell expressed frustration with the how the case was moving forward.
“It’s been pushed back and pushed back and pushed back over and over and over again, none less by the NCAA doing their due diligence,” Fickell said. “But to not have the guy give the kid an answer for two months, he has crushed the potential of this kid. And I love Nyzier and I’m not saying I’m speaking for Nyzier, but it is disappointing.”
Fourqurean has been able to practice the team and has been on the sideline during games. In his social media post, he thanked Fickell and the university of their support.
“I have been able to practice and be around the team as normal and have improved tremendously over the year,” he wrote. “With huge goals for myself and this team, I am super disappointed to not be able to make a positive impact for our team on the field. I look forward to my pro day and an opportunity with a NFL team.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Frustrated Wisconsin football player Nyzier Fourqurean drops lawsuit vs. NCAA
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
