UCF's Athletic Director Voices Opposition to Court Ruling Favoring Brendan Sorsby

The controversy surrounding Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby continues to reverberate across college sports, prompting strong reactions from various athletic programs. A recent ruling by Lubbock judge Ken Curry, which allows Sorsby to play in 2026 despite a previous NCAA decision deeming him permanently ineligible for gambling on games, has sparked widespread concern among collegiate athletic leaders.

On June 9, Terry Mohajir, the athletic director at the University of Central Florida (UCF), expressed his disapproval of the court's decision. "The integrity of competition must remain non-negotiable," Mohajir stated. He emphasized that gambling on sports, especially by student-athletes, undermines the credibility of college athletics. Mohajir further asserted that while institutions cannot influence judicial outcomes, they can enforce eligibility standards. "If a student-athlete were found to have engaged in sports gambling that violated NCAA rules, that individual would be deemed ineligible for competition by UCF," he declared.

Following a conference call with Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, Mohajir and fellow athletic directors discussed the implications of the ruling. Yormark noted, "We had a thoughtful and productive conversation with our athletics directors today as we continue to work through the broader implications of this situation." He acknowledged the importance of ongoing discussions within the conference, with further meetings scheduled for the coming days.

Other programs, including Nebraska and Georgia, have taken proactive measures by advising their coaches to avoid scheduling future games against Texas Tech. In response to the ruling, the NCAA has filed an appeal and expressed its deep concern over the potential harm to the integrity of college sports. "The NCAA strongly disagrees with the court’s ruling in Sorsby’s case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome," the organization stated.

Sorsby, who amassed over $90,000 in wagers during his college career, will miss the first two games of the 2026 season but is set to return for Texas Tech's Big 12 opener against Houston on September 18. Reflecting on the ruling, Sorsby expressed gratitude for the support he has received and emphasized his commitment to personal growth moving forward. "This opportunity comes with the responsibility to remain focused on my personal growth, the ability to learn from this experience, and to be able to use my situation to help others going forward,” he said.