NCAA Grants Duke's Request For Extra Lacrosse Eligibility

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The NCAA on Wednesday granted Duke's request for an extra year of eligibility for its men's lacrosse players following a rape scandal that led to the cancellation of much

Wednesday, May 30th 2007, 2:15 pm

By: News On 6

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The NCAA on Wednesday granted Duke's request for an extra year of eligibility for its men's lacrosse players following a rape scandal that led to the cancellation of much of last season.

Duke played just eight games in 2006 before the university canceled what was left of the season as police investigated allegations a woman was raped at a team party.

Three players were later indicted, but the accusations were eventually debunked by North Carolina's top prosecutor, who called the trio "innocent" victims of a "tragic rush to accuse."

The waiver affects all players who were not seniors during the '06 season, and it grants them a fifth year of eligibility regardless of whether they play at Duke or another school.

The announcement comes just two days after the Blue Devils (17-3) lost to Johns Hopkins 12-11 in the NCAA championship game.