MADISON – University of Wisconsin football player Nyzier Fourqurean is again seeking injunctive relief from the legal system.
On Aug. 19 Fourqurean’s attorney filed a request for a preliminary injunction from the District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin that will allow him to play for the Badgers while the cornerback’s case against the NCAA proceeds through the court.
The motion comes after Fourqurean’s case against the NCAA was moved from Sept. 29 to Oct. 20. The initial court date meant Fourqurean would miss at least four games. The new court date increases that total to at least seven contests.
The request for a preliminary injunction will be heard by Judge William Conley. No date or briefing has been set for the matter. Conley granted Fourqurean an injunction in February.
In support of his latest request for an injunction, Fourqurean submitted declarations from himself and Badgers coach Luke Fickell.
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 at Grand Valley State during the 2021 season when he played sparingly as he mourned the loss of his father.
The NCAA denied that request, a decision that led him to seek relief from the courts. which led to the preliminary injunction he received from Conley in February.
After that injunction was lifted last month, the university appealed to the NCAA about its decision on Fourqurean’s eligibility.
He also continued to pursue the matter in court. On July 31 Fourqurean filed an amended complaint that seeks declaratory, injunctive and monetary relief against the NCAA for its rules related to how many years a student-athlete is eligible to play NCAA Division I football.
That is the matter the courts will hear in October.
In seeking an injunction for that case, Fourqurean noted in the declaration filed Tuesday that the financial hardship that will be caused if he can’t play and receive his NIL deal while the case is pending.
He also told the court that no decision had been made on the appeal the university filed on his behalf with the NCAA and that the 30-day practice exception student-athletes receive while a case is pending appeal will expire Aug. 23.
“If I am unable to continue practicing with the team during the pendency of the litigation, I will not be ready to play immediately upon reinstatement but instead will miss additional games while I work my way back to my position on the team,” Fourqurean said in his declaration.
Fickell has strongly supported Fourqurean in his fight for another season of eligibility. In his declaration to the court, the coach addressed the harm that will be caused if Fourqurean can’t work with the team until the conclusion of his trial. He said Fourqurean’s chance to grow and develop would be greatly reduced.
Fickell added:
“I also have concerns about Nyzier’s physical safety and mental health after such a long time away from the program. Integrating Nyzier into a team that is seven or eight games into a twelve-game college football schedule season with no practice or game repetitions, will be virtually impossible and unworkable for both Nyzier and the team.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin football player Nyzier Fourqurean seeks preliminary injunction for latest case vs. NCAA
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
