Thursday, August 24, 2006

Dye denied again

Published August 24, 2006

Xavier Dye's final appeal to the South Carolina High School League for his athletic eligibility at Byrnes High School was denied Wednesday afternoon by a unanimous vote, just three days before the Rebels host Glades Central (Fla.) on ESPN.

Dye, the wide receiver who played at Greenwood last season, enrolled at Byrnes over the summer and hoped to play for the four-time state champions. Dye, who's verbally committed to Clemson, has practiced with the Rebels since enrolling there and can continue to do so.

The 14-0 vote by the SCHSL's executive committee Wednesday ends the appeal process with the league. Dye's eligibility was denied the first time by Roger Hazel, who handles transfers for the league, and a hardship appeal was denied by Jerome Singleton, the league's executive director.

"I just wish Xavier the best. He's a fine young man, and it's been frustrating dealing with this," head coach Bobby Bentley said.

Bentley refused to comment further on the appeal that was held during a meeting in Columbia on Wednesday afternoon.

Dye and his family, along with Bentley, were on hand to try and talk the committee into overruling Singleton's denial. Officials from the SCHSL and Greenwood football coach Shell Dula spoke in favor of Singleton's decision.

The next option for Dye's family is to take the matter to court, and they have already met with Chuck Allen, a lawyer from Anderson.

Dye is the second prominent football player in the county to have athletic eligibility denied in the last year.

Last season, Dorman's Nick Melton -- who was transferring from Gaffney -- was denied eligibility but allowed to play midway through the season after the case went through the court system.

Dye is the No. 11-ranked player in the state by Rivals.com, a well-known recruiting service.

Last year, he caught 37 passes for 614 yards and four touchdowns at Greenwood.


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