Daisha Simmons is fighting for her right to play ball and she’s not giving up anytime soon.
Upon graduating from the University of Alabama in May, former four star recruit, Daisha Simmons, has been fighting the school to allow her to play her last season of eligibility; which they blocked. When she wasn’t accepted into Alabama’s MBA program, Simmons transferred to Seton Hall to be closer to her family. Her brother is fighting a life threatening kidney disease and her mother has fallen ill while still maintaining a job to take care of their family. Seton Hall has appealed the block, but their efforts as well were denied by Alabama. Alabama has released a statement saying that while she was able to transfer schools, her decision was too late for them to replace her on their team. All entities, including the school president denied her request. The NCAA has ruled that her case was well worth the transfer and gave their permission to allow her to play yet, Alabama says the case is closed and no longer wants to discuss it.
Simmons has since hired Don Jackson to help her in her legal matter by filing a Title IX complaint which states that no person be denied the benefits or subject to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. In Jackson’s letter filed to Alabama, he has accused Alabama of bullying and institutionalized hazing of student athletes.
As you are undoubtedly aware, I represent Ms. Daisha Simmons. Previous, I forwarded correspondence to your attention and an executed Academic Records Release form to your attention.
I am forwarding this e-mail on Ms. Simmons’ behalf for the purpose of formally lodging a complaint. Information has come to my attention that strongly suggests that your Women’s Basketball coaching staff has utilized student-athlete athletic financial aid to engage in a fairly broad and comprehensive pattern of bullying, harassment, retaliatory conduct and institutional hazing. Further, in light of the manner in which athletic financial aid is administered by this coaching staff, there are strong implications of conduct that violates Title IX. During this staff’s tenure, multiple players were deprived of athletic financial aid for reasons that were entirely unrelated to either academic performance or student conduct issues. Further, the manner by which transfers, non-renewals of athletic financial, transfer releases and “waiver supports” have been handled by the basketball staff appear to disproportionately and adversely impact female female student-athletes. As you are undoubtedly aware, this may violate federal law.
Your athletic department (through the Women’s Basketball staff) has engaged in a pattern of conduct that was calculated to intimidate and harass female student-athletes. This won’t be tolerated further. It is my client’s desire to resolve this matter without legal action. However, please understand that this conduct will not be accepted without a response from this young lady and her family.
Donald Maurice Jackson, Esq., Principal The Sports Group
As of Monday, Alabama President has denied the request to meet with Simmons.
This has to be one of the most incredibly selfish acts of a University I have ever witnessed. An athlete who is trying to further her career while caring for her family is being denied the chance to due to a school feeling like they were cheated from a player. Understandably, for Alabama to feel as though should have had ample amount of time to replace her, but when your brother is fighting a life threatening kidney disease and your mother is struggling, you do what’s necessary. Family illness excuses are nothing new to student athletes asking for transfers and usually schools grant them. It will be interesting to see how this will be dealt with in the court system. Hopefully Simmons will be allowed to play and able to pursue her career. There is no worse feeling than wanting to help your family, but circumstances beyond your control, stop you.