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USF, Gilchrist File For Eligibility

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

TAMPA - With Gus Gilchrist's personal trainer, adviser and spokesman Terrelle Woody officially on the University of South Florida payroll, the school submitted Gilchrist's hardship waiver to the NCAA so that the 6-foot-10 center can play immediately and not be required to sit out a season after transferring from Maryland.

The appeal was submitted on Tuesday, the same day USF announced Woody's hiring, USF coach Stan Heath said Tuesday night.

If the appeal is successful, Gilchrist would have four years of eligibility starting this fall. If the appeal is denied, Gilchrist won't be eligible at USF until the fall of 2009 and will have three years of eligibility - or only one additional semester than he would have had if he remained at Maryland.

Augustus Sr. and Donna Gilchrist, Gus' parents, told the Tampa Tribune a couple of weeks ago they were optimistic their son's appeal to the NCAA would be successful.

"We were not going to stay here [at Maryland] and take this, we got no support," Donna Gilchrist said. "We hope he gets his four years [at USF].

"We're not going to think about it he doesn't [win the appeal]. We can't think about it."

As a senior in high school, Gilchrist originally signed with Virginia Tech, but never attended school there. He signed with Maryland and attended school there in January, but left after one semester and transferred to USF.

USF said it expects to receive an answer from the NCAA within two to three weeks.

On Tuesday, Woody was hired by USF as a video and conditioning assistant. The job, which does not require a college degree, will pay Woody $30,000 a year, but does not include benefits, Heath said.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928 or bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

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