Fresno State Athletics
Pandzic Ruled Ineligible, Ending Bulldog Career
2/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 3, 2005
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State women's tennis player Jelena Pandzic has been ruled ineligible by Fresno State on advisement from the NCAA, ending her Bulldog career.Pandzic's eligibility was in question during the fall semester - during which she did not compete - because of a match played in a German league during last summer. The NCAA determined the team on which Pandzic played was at a professional level, and thus Pandzic's participation in the match violated her amateur status.
"It's unfortunate this had to happen to Jelena, who is obviously a very gifted tennis player," Athletics Director Scott Johnson said. "It is paramount to the integrity of the university that we follow NCAA rules and guidelines, and I believe we do a great job in educating our student-athletes of those rules. It's too bad that Jelena's career had to end after one year, but after working closely with the NCAA in this matter, it was the best course of action."
As a freshman last year, Pandzic went 29-2 and reached the finals of the NCAA Singles Tournament. She entered the fall season ranked third in the preseason singles poll.
