NCAA denies UConn waiver request

The NCAA has turned down the University of Connecticut's request for a waiver that would allow its men's basketball team to participate in the 2012-13 postseason, the school announced Friday.

The waiver was submitted to the NCAA as a result of the program's Academic Progress Rate performance.

The university said it will take its case to the NCAA Division I Committee on Academic Performance Subcommittee on Appeals.

"We are deeply disappointed that our request for a waiver was denied, but we look forward to continuing in the process," said UConn president Susan Herbst. "We continue to believe that we have made a very compelling case in our waiver to the NCAA and we are pleased with the recent outstanding academic success of our men's basketball student-athletes.

"I want to be clear that during my entire career as a scholar and a teacher, I have been in full support of high academic standards in collegiate athletics. However, in this case, there are good students who could be penalized for the problematic behavior of students who have not been enrolled for years.

"Educators and parents need to do what is right for their students, and not allow them to be caught in the dynamics of public relations."