The NCAA's decision to permanently block quarterback Brendan Sorsby from playing in 2026 has drawn sharp criticism from Texas Tech's top brass. University president Lawrence Schovanec didn't mince words in a letter released Wednesday, vowing to appeal the ruling and demanding the association rethink how it handles student-athletes struggling with gambling addiction.
“We believe that given the facts and the context of Brendan’s case, the NCAA’s ruling should be reversed or modified,” Schovanec wrote. The quarterback was declared permanently ineligible after an investigation revealed he bet on college sports, including Indiana football games while playing for the Hoosiers back in 2022.
Schovanec stressed that the university's top priority is Sorsby's well-being. The signal-caller recently completed an intensive inpatient treatment program for a diagnosed gambling addiction and anxiety disorder, and Texas Tech has rolled out a comprehensive plan to support his recovery on campus.
“Brendan himself has been open about his struggle with severe gambling addiction, and we believe his vulnerability deserves to be met with the full weight of this institution’s support,” Schovanec added. “Our foremost priority in contemplating Brendan’s future with Texas Tech is his continued health and wellbeing.”
The president urged the NCAA to align its enforcement with the advice of its own chief medical officer, who has called for a “harm reduction approach” to gambling issues. Schovanec argued that the current bylaws are outdated in an era where college football spending sprees and legalized sports betting have reshaped the landscape for young athletes.
“The NCAA bylaws governing Brendan’s case have not adapted to the era of widespread legalized sports betting that this generation of college athletes now has to navigate,” Schovanec wrote. “He is not the first college athlete to face gambling addiction, and unfortunately, he will not be the last.”
Schovanec pointed to a troubling trend: gambling addiction is reaching epidemic levels among college-aged men, especially as sports betting becomes legal in more states. He said the NCAA should be creating environments that foster growth and recovery, not punishing athletes who come forward for help.
“Given that Brendan has taken accountability for his addiction and actions, a brave act in any circumstance, but especially under the intense scrutiny of a national spotlight, we believe that the best path forward for him is on campus, among his teammates, embraced by the strength of this community,” Schovanec concluded.
The case has reignited debate over how the NCAA polices gambling in the modern sports world. With Sorsby's eligibility hanging in the balance, Texas Tech is betting that a fresh appeal will convince the association to change its approach.
