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Joyer, spurned by USF amid grade changes, signs with Louisville

Tribune file photo

Wesley Chapel offensive lineman Kamran Joyer signed with USF on National Signing Day in February but was later denied admission because of transcript concerns.

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 20, 2009

TAMPA - Wesley Chapel offensive lineman Kamran Joyer, who originally signed with the University of South Florida but was denied admission by the academic committee after an "unusual number of grade changes," signed with the University of Louisville, UL assistant athletic director Rocco Gasparro said today.

Gasparro, however, could not comment on whether Joyer has been officially accepted into the university yet. Joyer may sign a grant-in-aid with Louisville, but still must be cleared by the university before he can play for the Cardinals.

Joyer signed with USF in February but was denied admission to USF in June because of concerns regarding his transcript. USF officials said Joyer could take a couple of summer school courses at Hillsborough Community College and try again to gain admission in August, but Joyer didn't want to take a chance he wouldn't be accepted into USF, his father Jack Joyer said.

Last week, Jack Joyer and his son visited Louisville, where he said his son had a scholarship offer.

Jack Joyer also said his son would visit Rutgers University, where his father said his son had also received a scholarship offer. However, Rutgers officials said last week that Joyer had never been offered a scholarship by the school and were "stunned" to read claims by Joyer's father in The Tampa Tribune to the contrary.

As a senior, Joyer's transcript had nine grade changes prompting Robert Spatig, USF's director of undergraduate admissions, to question the changes in letters last month to Pasco County school Superintendent Heather Fiorentino and Wesley Chapel High School Principal Andrew Frelick.

It also prompted Pasco County officials to investigate whether the grades of all incoming USF students from Wesley Chapel high had been assigned appropriately. Renalia Dubose, assistant superintendent for administration, told the Tribune last week that the grades were assigned appropriately to the other Wesley Chapel students.

However, the district was still investigating how Joyer's grades were changed. Dubose told the Tribune last week that Fiorentino planned to send a report to USF today with her findings.

Frelick admitted at least one of Joyer's grades were inaccurately recorded. In a letter to Spatig on June 24, Frelick said Joyer's final Biology I grade actually was a C, not a B as indicated on his transcript.

However, Frelick defended the grade changes, saying the district had a lot of transfer and at-risk students. "We try to assist as best we can when it comes to blending semester grades into yearlong grades," he wrote.

In each case where Joyer had two semester grades, he received full credit for the higher grade in each course.

Despite USF's concerns and the ongoing investigation, Jack Joyer said last week has son had been cleared by the NCAA.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928.

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