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dailyorange.com
Terrel Hunt waits on NCAA in hopes of continuing football career By Sam Blum
R senior staff writer
OSEDALE, N.Y. — Terrel Hunt rolled out of bed in his apartment at 11 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 5, 2015. The vivid memories of the night before — one that began with him as the Syracuse starting quarterback, but finished with an injury that ended his college career — had yet to reformulate in his brain. It was a moment of ignorant bliss. Then he planted his right foot on the ground beside his bed. In a split second of excruciating physical pain, it all came rushing back to him. He remembered feeling numb when he collapsed at the 42-yard-line 15 hours before, knowing moments later that his season was over. He remembered the ride back to his aunt’s room at the Marriott Hotel, when he asked her the impossible question of why it was him that bad things always happened to. He thought of his future, one that might not include the one thing he knows he does best. Hunt — feeling the pressure of a 238-pound frame on top of his foot — belted out an uncontrollable scream.
The Present
TERREL HUNT had his NCAA waiver for a sixth season at Syracuse denied by the NCAA, but he has appealed the organization’s decision so he can extend his college football career one more season. drew osumi staff photographer
There’s nothing left for Hunt to do but wait. He waited nearly three months for the NCAA to reject his application in November for a sixth year of eligibility. Now he has to wait, again, this time for his appeal of that decision. He remains optimistic. He believes his personal story overrides the NCAA’s eligibility rule. Hunt redshirted his freshman season, and played just two snaps on special teams against USC the year after. As a junior, he started the final 11 games and led Syracuse to a Texas Bowl win. In 2014, he started the first five games before breaking his right fibula. He lasted less than eight minutes in 2015. Hunt hasn’t had a complete career by his standards. But to the NCAA, there’s nothing left for him to do on the field. “Whoever recognizes me, they feel for me,” Hunt said. “I fulfilled my student part. I did that and beyond. I graduated early. I started my master’s. I’m about to finish with my master’s. I’m doing everything the NCAA ever asked for, but it’s like, when can I fulfill my athlete part?” Hunt detached himself from the team after his injury. Partly because leaving his third floor University Village apartment took too much of a physical toll. see hunt page 14
Student focus groups to discuss health care insurance By Sara Swann asst. news editor
The first student focus group discussing Syracuse University’s student health insurance plan will take place on Wednesday. At the beginning of August last year, all incoming; newly matriculated; and matriculated, international full-time students
and graduate student fellows were required to have health insurance. For the 2016-17 academic year, all full-time matriculated students will be required to have health insurance, as well. The focus groups will help gather information from students about their experiences and preferences related to health insurance coverage, said Shannon Feeney Andre, com-
munications manager for the Division of Student Affairs, in an email. “We are also seeking to gather input from students on their preferred modes of communication and what types of information they would like to receive or know regarding health insurance,” Andre said. She added that the focus groups are one method of continually gathering feedback and suggestions as
preparation for the 2016-17 health care implementation is made.
$1,890 The cost of SU’s new student health insurance plan for students who did not previously have health insurance
Three focus groups are scheduled: one on Wednesday from 5:306:30 p.m., one on Feb. 4 from 6-7 p.m. and one on Feb. 5 from noon to 1 p.m., according to an SU News release. Students are only permitted to participate in one focus group. The focus groups will take place in the Schine Student Center Room 232, Andre said. see insurance page 4