Eric Devendorf squanders a second chance at greatness

December 10, 10:33 PMCollege Sports ExaminerJacob Osterhout

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Devendorf punches his own ticket.

Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf was granted an extra year of eligibility this fall, but he won't be needing it anymore.

On Wednesday, a Syracuse judicial hearing board ruled that Devendorf, who is averaging 14.1 points per game this season, violated the student code of conduct when he allegedly punched a female student in the face on November 1st. The board recommended that the 6-foot-4 junior be suspended for the rest of the season.

Devendorf will still be able to play while he appeals the ruling, which could take up to two weeks.

Here's a nice little rundown of the incident according to WSYR.com:

Kim Smith, a 20-year-old SU student, claimed she was sitting in her car when a group of people approached her, yelling and kicking her car.  Once she got out of her car, she says Devendorf hit her.

Devendorf says he was defending himself.

At the time of the incident, Smith asked police to arrest him, but the Onondaga County District Attorney's office turned the matter over to the university.

Ironically, Devendorf's latest issue arises after the guard was the beneficiary of a Big East ruling that allowed him another year of eligibility.

Devendorf suffered a torn ACL against Middle Tennessee State in the tenth game of last season. In September, the Big East granted him a hardship waiver, even though Pittsburgh's Sam Cook, who played in one more game last season before getting injured, was denied his own waiver.

So, to put this all in perspective: basketball player suffers misfortune, the Big East takes pity and grants him an extra year of eligibility, and the basketball player rewards the Big East for their benevolence by (allegedly) punching a female student in the face.

Devendorf's attorney, Billy Sullivan, disputes the charges:

The Board ignored the fact that Kim Smith, the 20-year old student who says Devendorf punched her in the face, was drinking at a frat party. Sullivan also said Smith broke a New York State law by driving after consuming alcohol. He added that according to the Syracuse city police report Smith did not appear to have any signs of a fight on her body. He also said that Smith did not have a single witness who could verify her story. He was also very disappointed that the school overlooked the fact that Smith used racially insensitive language during the argument.

I understand that college kids get drunk and do dumb things, like pulling a fire alarm or stealing a forklift, but even being accused of punching a girl in the face is stupid in every way. Stay away from off-court conflict. If a girl cuts you off while crossing the street. Let it go.

This isn't the first time that Syracuse basketball players have gotten in trouble for beating up the fairer sex. Last fall, Jonny Flynn, Rick Jackson and Antonio "Scoop" Jardine were accused of sexually assaulting by a female student. While all three were cleared of charges after a 10-month investigation, these accusations of abuse seem to be a disturbing trend for the Orange, who are off to a fast start this season, but would sorely miss Devendorf's offensive presence.

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