Tim Brown Declared Ineligible By NCAA

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University All-America tight end, Tim Brown, was officially declared ineligible for competition for the 2015 football season by the NCAA this week.
 
Brown, who is in his senior year at the school, has used up his 10 full-time semesters and, therefore, has run out of eligibility. 
 
"This is my fault as his coach," WCU football head coach Bill Zwaan admitted. "I have been coaching at the Division II and III level for 23 years, and this is one of the worst mistakes I have ever made because of the effect this may have on (Brown's) life."
 
Brown is currently pursuing his options with the National Football League, following notification from the NCAA on their final ruling regarding his status. As many as eight NFL organizations have been in contact with the Division II All-American – who was given a draft grade by a number of scouts – since news of his status with the NCAA was made public.
 
"I made the mistake of not having (Brown) go part time in the spring, so that he would have a full-time semester left to compete in the fall," Zwaan continued. "This was not ignorance of the rules, as I have done this with players in the past. This was ignorance on my part of (Brown's) amount of full-time semesters.
 
"I just missed it."
 
West Chester, ranked No. 22/23 in the preseason Division II polls opens its 2015 campaign at home Thursday night against No. 9/10 Lenoir-Rhyne.
 
"I was under the impression that (Brown) had done two part-time semesters at Delaware County Community College. I never saw his DCCC transcript until after our compliance officer told me he was ineligible following the spring semester. I was wrong, and I did not follow through and make sure of his eligibility status. Tim and my other players rely on me to make sure they are given the correct advice and to take care of them and I failed Tim."
 
Brown played just 23 games in his college career – all with West Chester University. However, it was his 2014 fall campaign that turned the heads of professional scouts. He led the Golden Rams with 53 catches for 1,059 yards and 17 touchdowns. His numbers for yards and TD catches are both school records for a tight end in a single season and invariably drew comparisons to former WCU tight end Joe Senser, who spent five years in the NFL – all with the Minnesota Vikings. Brown led Division II in all three categories among fellow tight ends a year ago. He caught 73 passes for 1,488 yards and 22 touchdowns during his college career.
 
"(Brown) suffered a double hernia at the end of our season last year and was operated on January 15," Zwaan explained. "He was unable to participate during spring practices. He could have easily done a part-time semester had I advised him properly.
 
"This was completely my fault.
 
"I realize this is no excuse. But, I also feel that Tim should not be punished for my lack of due diligence. He has overcome so many obstacles in his life to get to this point in school and in his career; he deserves the opportunity to finish his career with one more season.
 
"(Brown) has only played two years in college, and playing a third year, would have tremendously increased his chances to play in the NFL. The student-athletes rely on their individual coaches to advise them on their eligibility status and Tim relied on me. I failed him in this regard.
 
"We appealed to the NCAA to understand the circumstances and realize that this was my fault and not Tim's fault. But, the NCAA did not help him out. We are now working with the NFL in trying to help him move forward in his football career. I cannot express how terribly I feel for Tim, and the team, for having to deal with my failure to execute my job correctly. They deserve better."
 
Tim Brown's Postseason And Preseason Accolades Over His Two Collegiate Seasons
2015 D2Football.com Preseason 1st Team All-America
2015 HERO Sports Preseason 1st Team All-America
2015 College Football America Yearbook – Starting Lineup
2014 Don Hansen Football Gazette 1st Team All-America
2014 D2Football.com 1st Team All-America
2014 All-ECAC
2014 All-PSAC East 1st Team