Dvoracek denied medical hardship request

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ The Big 12 Conference has denied a request by Oklahoma defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek for a medical hardship on to the NCAA. <br/><br/>Big 12 spokesman Bob Burda said yesterday that

Friday, December 10th 2004, 6:37 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ The Big 12 Conference has denied a request by Oklahoma defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek for a medical hardship on to the NCAA.

Big 12 spokesman Bob Burda said yesterday that the request has been forwarded to the NCAA, which could grant a waiver that would allow Dvoracek to play next year.

Burda says the Big 12 has asked the NCAA to make a ruling on the appeal in the next week.

Dvoracek was kicked off the team by coach Bob Stoops in September amid allegations of violent behavior.

After completing an anger-management and alcohol-related program, he appealed to the Big 12's review committee on the basis of alcohol addiction.

The senior was a captain and pre-season All-America candidate before his dismissal from the team. His career derailed after his alleged involvement in a fight with a long-time friend who was hospitalized with a head injury.