D. J. Bowles Denied Medical Clearnance

[im4wsu]

I believe what @RoyalShock: is saying is that he has been denied medical clearance by WSU-ICAA based upon the recommendations of their medical consultants. However, the decision of the WSU-ICAA is only binding on WSU. D.J. theoretically could shop for another school who might be willing to give him medical clearance. However, I doubt D.J and his family will do that, but they certainly have the right to try if they want to. I wouldn't be surprised if the trip to the Mayo Clinic was for a 2nd opinion which probably confirmed the diagnosis made in Wichita.

In any case, I am sure whatever decision D.J. and his family make will be with D.J.'s long-term health and happiness at the fore and I wish him all the best whatever route he decides to take.

The 12 news said the ship will count towards the limit this year, but not the next 3. Since medical conditions can change, if the doctors cleared him, I think he could resume his career next year at WSU.

[1972Shocker]

Since medical conditions can change, if the doctors cleared him, I think he could resume his career next year at WSU.

That's true, but that is a big IF. Yes, medical conditions can change, or stay the same, or get worse. Based on the wording of the WSU press release I am not counting on D.J. playing again at WSU and I am not sure Coach Marshall has the desire to put a kid in D.J.'s situation back onto the court. Seeing two kids collapse and go into cardiac arrest in front of you (one who was revived and on who was not) is more than enough for a lifetime.

[Aargh]

ESPN's report includes a bit more than the "official" release from WSU

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9699286/wichita-state-shockers-medically-clear-dj-bowles?ex_cid=espnapi_public

The ESPN report indicates that no cause of the problem was ever found. That would indicate that the defib was implanted as a precaution. If the collapse happened once, it could happen again, so make sure there's a defib handy if it happens again.

That probably makes D.J. uninsurable if he participates in active sports. I believe Carl Hall was in the same situation. Carl was able to demonstrate to the medical community that he was OK to go.

D.J. may at some time be able to demonstrate that he's able to go. As I understand it, once WSU declares him medically done, they can offer him a 4-year schollie that doesn't count against the 13 limit set by the NCAA. The downside is that once WSU doesn't count him on the schollie limit, but still gives him a schollie, WSU can never change Bowles' status.

If Bowles is ever cleared to play, he must play at another institution. That is probably not one of the NCAA's better rules, but I can see where it's needed to prevent abuse.

[WSUwatcher]

Glad to see they're offering the full four years of scholarships.

I do find it interesting they have to petition the NCAA for a medical hardship in order for his scholly not to count against the 13 for next year.

The reason a medical hardship request is required, Royal, is to prevent scholarship / numbers game abuse. This sort of thing is much more common in football -- not cardiac problems particularly, but other types of injuries, given the more violent nature of the sport -- and if schools could simply hand out medical scholarships, as they're called, without supervision or regulation, the ones with plenty of athletic money might be able to pick up a few extra scholarships by declaring people medically unable to compete. They could weed out guys who didn't quite pan out and replace them with new and hopefully better players, all while staying within the limit. We don't think in such terms with basketball, where 13 is usually plenty and it's often a challenge to get minutes for the last couple of guys on the roster. But in football, especially hard core, big-time football, it's apparently surprisingly easy to fill 85 spots.

In any case, this is very disappointing news, and I'm surprised they could make a decision with such finality so soon. I hope he stays and takes advantage of the opportunity here, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him go back closer to home. It also wouldn't surprise me for a different medical staff to come to a different conclusion, especially a year or so down the road. In any case, I wish him all the best. As others have noted, at least he's still around to be disappointed.

[im4wsu]

That's true, but that is a big IF. Yes, medical conditions can change, or stay the same, or get worse. Based on the wording of the WSU press release I am not counting on D.J. playing again at WSU and I am not sure Coach Marshall has the desire to put a kid in D.J.'s situation back onto the court. Seeing two kids collapse and go into cardiac arrest in front of you (one who was revived and on who was not) is more than enough for a lifetime.

I was not suggesting it could,would or should occur,simply that this season WILLcount against the 13,so it is not FINAL until the roster becomes set for 2014. All possibilities (yes, remote in your mind) remain open right now.

Further, if they haven't found the cause, that is obviously the reason for the decision-- there is nine months available for additional testing, information, personal experience to develop,also.

[Bluzrover]

I wish nothing but the best for the young man, both in life and in his pursuit of athletics, should he choose to do so. I think as 72 posted, HCGM has probably more experience with cardiac arrest than he cares to and is showing that he has concern for DJ's future, putting his basketball team's interest second. The NCAA, particularly some of the big programs, has a history of programs that don't always break that way. To me, this is just another indication of the type of coach and man and program 3G is and runs.

Best to you DJ.

[jcdshocker]

It would not surprise me if DJ transfers to another school at some point that might allow him to play.

[1972Shocker]

It would not surprise me if DJ transfers to another school at some point that might allow him to play.

Maybe, but D.J. is up against other concerns as well. He is uninsurable and in this day and age the lawyers maybe making the decision as to whether D.J. plays more than the Doctors.

[tgcshock]

Maybe, but D.J. is up against other concerns as well. He is uninsurable and in this day and age the lawyers maybe making the decision as to whether D.J. plays more than the Doctors.

Starting in January (under Obamacare) it is illegal for an insurance company to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions or to charge more because of the pre-existing condition. Does anyone know whether playing college basketball after a diagnosis of a heart problem would invalidate either of these provisions?

[Kung Wu]

Starting in January (under Obamacare) it is illegal for an insurance company to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions or to charge more because of the pre-existing condition. Does anyone know whether playing college basketball after a diagnosis of a heart problem would invalidate either of these provisions?

1) You are talking about medical insurance which has to be carried by Bowles or his parents prior to even practicing with the team. It's an NCAA requirement. So preexisting conditions doesn't even come into play because he had medical insurance at the time the incident occurred. Regardless, WSU isn't on the hook for medical insurance (unless I am wrong and WSU is one of the few schools that carries medical insurance for their athletes -- which I highly doubt).

2) I believe '72 is talking about liability insurance. What happens when Coach puts Bowles on the floor after having already died once (regardless of doctor's consent) and the unthinkable happen again? One: Coach would never forgive himself. Two: The size of the imminent liability lawsuit would be ginormous.

I don't know what Bowles diagnosis is, and it's none of my beezwax, but I can see where it's time to cut the cord regarding basketball and just assist the man into having an awesome professional career in whatever field he chooses.

Edit: I don't know that Bowles' heart stopped. It could have been in fibrillation for all I know -- but that doesn't change much.

[1972Shocker]

I suppose D.J. and his family could agree to waiver any and rights to make any claims against the University, their employees and any and all related parties if the agree to clear him medically. Again, I wish D.J. all the best with whatever he chooses to do and I fervently hope that includes a long, prosperous and happy life.

[shockmonster]

To me, it is obvious that in addition to the doctors, the lawyers got involved. Sometimes waivers aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

[tgcshock]

1) You are talking about medical insurance which has to be carried by Bowles or his parents prior to even practicing with the team. It's an NCAA requirement. So preexisting conditions doesn't even come into play because he had medical insurance at the time the incident occurred. Regardless, WSU isn't on the hook for medical insurance (unless I am wrong and WSU is one of the few schools that carries medical insurance for their athletes -- which I highly doubt).

2) I believe '72 is talking about liability insurance. What happens when Coach puts Bowles on the floor after having already died once (regardless of doctor's consent) and the unthinkable happen again? One: Coach would never forgive himself. Two: The size of the imminent liability lawsuit would be ginormous.

I don't know what Bowles diagnosis is, and it's none of my beezwax, but I can see where it's time to cut the cord regarding basketball and just assist the man into having an awesome professional career in whatever field he chooses.

Edit: I don't know that Bowles' heart stopped. It could have been in fibrillation for all I know -- but that doesn't change much.

If '72 was talking about WSU's liability insurance than that would make sense. Still am not sure whether it would affect DJ Bowles personal medical insurance or not but I could see participation in organized sports invalidating coverage even under the new health care law. May not know until the law is in effect for a while. In any event, I agree that this will most likely only be relevant from the perspective of Bowles and his parents.

[pie n eye]

If '72 was talking about WSU's liability insurance than that would make sense. Still am not sure whether it would affect DJ Bowles personal medical insurance or not but I could see participation in organized sports invalidating coverage even under the new health care law. May not know until the law is in effect for a while. In any event, I agree that this will most likely only be relevant from the perspective of Bowles and his parents.

STFU. This has nothing to do with anyone's opinion on some stupid bill in the government.

[The Mad Hatter]

STFU. This has nothing to do with anyone's opinion on some stupid bill in the government.

Overreact much?