Mike Cook, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during Pitt's 65-64 win over Duke at Madison Square Garden last December, has been denied a sixth year of athletic eligibility by the NCAA. Pitt men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon made the announcement Wednesday.
To be eligible for a sixth year, Cook needed to obtain a medical hardship waiver for his participation during the Panthers' 2007-08 season. According to NCAA rules, to receive medical hardship, a player must participate in no more than 30 percent of a team's regular season games. Cook played in 34 percent of Pitt's games.
Pitt originally filed a hardship waiver with the Big East Conference, which was denied. Then the school appealed to the NCAA. The appeal was denied by the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee.
"Situations like this are hard to take when you know how dedicated Mike's life has been to playing basketball," Dixon said. "Over the last three years, Mike has contributed significantly to our success, both on and off the floor, and has been an important member of our basketball family."
Dixon, rare to show his emotions, immediately ran to the floor when Cook injured his knee driving to the basket late in the second half against Duke. Dixon remained on the floor with Cook, who writhed in pain after tearing three ligaments, until he was carried off. After the victory, Dixon came close to crying during post-game interviews.
"When I asked Mike why he wanted to come to Pitt, he simply said he wanted to win," Dixon said. "And he has won."
After transferring from East Carolina, where he was the leading scorer as a sophomore, Cook sat out a year due to NCAA transfer rules. He became a starter before the 2006-07 season and Pitt went 40-8 in games he started. During his final year, Cook averaged 10.4 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Between East Carolina and Pitt, Cook finished with 1,204 points, 362 rebounds and 263 assists over 103 games, including 87 starts. He graduated from Pitt this spring with a degree in communications and remained in the area rehabbing in hopes of returning to the basketball team.
Pitt said it will give Cook an opportunity to remain in Pittsburgh as he continues to take classes and rehabilitate.
"Our hearts went out to Mike when he suffered the knee injury against Duke and we feel for him now," Panthers athletic director Steve Pederson said. "He will always be an important part of the Panther family."
Pitt returns its top three scorers and seven of the top 10 lettermen from a team that finished 27-10, won the Big East Tournament and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.