After Careful Consideration, The NCAA Rules That It's OK For Colorado State Hoops Player To Use Funds From GoFundMe After Both His Parents, Niece and Nephew Die In House Fire...But Only For Expenses

CBS – Tragedy struck college basketball this week as Colorado State forward Emmanuel Omogbo lost both of his parents in a house fire early Tuesday morning. The blaze, which happened at his parents’ home in Chillum, Md., reportedly killed Caroline (55 years old) and Samson (63) Omogbo on the scene. Making matters even more horrific, Omogbo lost two more family members, Anna and Israel Omijie (twin daughters of Omogbo’s sister) who were declared dead after arriving at the local hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Omogbo’s sister reportedly leapt from a second-story window to escape the danger. Her health is reportedly on the mend. The source of the fire is not known, but according to reports from the firefighting officials on the scene, nothing “suspicious” is thought to have provoked the inferno.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – In response to the tragedy that occurred to junior men’s basketball player Emmanuel Omogbo and his family, the Colorado State University Department of Athletics has established a GoFundMe account (http://www.gofundme.com/Omogbo) to assist with various expenses. This account is in compliance with NCAA rules regarding these situations and allows all fans, donors and supporters to contribute to particular expenses for Emmanuel and his family.

NCAA rules permit Colorado State to pay for Emmanuel’s actual and necessary expenses related to his family’s tragedy. The GoFundMe account established by CSU Athletics extends beyond that scope to cover funeral, medical and related expenses. Funds raised in excess of the support needed for those expenses will be donated to a charitable cause, per NCAA bylaws.

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First of all, thoughts are with Emmanuel Omogbo – what an absolutely tragic situation. Losing both parents, nephew and niece in the same night, having your little sister injured jumping out of a window to save her own life, that’s something I can’t imagine having to go through. I’m just glad the NCAA is around to step up and be the hero we all need in a situation like this. Because, as usual, the internet proved that people aren’t actually as bad as we all think, and the donations came flooding in – GoFundMe page is about to hit $50K as of this posting. Imagine if Omogbo and his family had access to all that money donated to them? Imagine if they had to go through all of this without any of the NCAA’s guidance? Don’t know how he’d make it.

Once again, after an enormous act of kindness and human decency, the NCAA manages to leave everyone with a bitter taste in their mouth. Releasing a statement that, after careful review, they’ve decided it’s ok for this college “student-athlete” to use the money donated by strangers to help lay his family to rest and rebuild his life. As if they deserve a pat on the back for allowing a kid to access the money given TO HIM, but only for expenses, and only if it goes through the school. The fact that they even needed to review anything in the first place, let alone make a ruling and issue a press release on their findings…man, fuck the NCAA.

Despite letting a 17-point second-half lead slip, the Rams were able to beat Air Force, 83-79, Wednesday night at Clune Arena.

Afterward in a locker room full of tears, CSU coach Larry Eustachy presented Omogbo with the game ball, less than 48 hours after his parents, niece and nephew were tragically killed in a house fire in Maryland.

“That’s the best feeling in the world,” said CSU senior guard Antwan Scott, who followed up his career-best 35-point game Saturday by scoring a game-best 27 on Wednesday. “Even though he was emotional, he was able to smile to get that game ball. Man, that was big time to get a win; but to get a win for him and his family, that speaks volumes.

“It would have been devastating to not get that win for him, because Emmanuel is a guy that we love, that this team really needs. We’re just going to be here to support him while we can.” [Reporter Herald]