Colorado University Athletics
Bianca Smith Released From Tulsa NLI, Gains Semester Back
November 05, 2009 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER - University of Colorado senior guard Bianca Smith has been formally released from the National Letter of Intent she originally signed at the University of Tulsa allowing her to gain back the semester of eligibility she would have otherwise had to surrender this season.
Smith is now eligible to play the entire 2009-10 season for the Buffaloes.
"I would like to thank Tulsa for releasing me and I appreciate the efforts of both schools as this decision allows me to have this final full year with my teammates," Smith said. "A lot of communication and chemistry is built during preseason practice and games, and it is a relief knowing I can be with my teammates and to go through those times with them. It was a huge burden, definitely a monkey off my back."
Smith, a native of Missouri City, Texas, had signed an NLI in November 2004 with Tulsa, who at the time was coached by current CU head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller. When McConnell-Miller took over the Colorado program in April 2005, Smith decided to follow her to Boulder.
She never enrolled at Tulsa, but was faced with sitting out two full seasons, one for not honoring her NLI commitment to Tulsa and a second for transferring to another NCAA Division I school. Smith was able to use her redshirt year to fulfill the NCAA transfer obligation, sitting out the 2005-06 season. She successfully petitioned the NLI Appeals Committee in 2005 to gain one semester back, but was still faced with losing one semester under the NLI commitment.
In the spring of 2009 then-CU-Boulder Chancellor Bud Peterson contacted Tulsa President, Dr. Steadman Upham, on behalf of Smith and the University of Colorado to ask for Smith's full release. Thanks to cooperation from both universities and athletic departments, Smith was released and rewarded a full final season.
"On behalf of CU women's basketball, I would like to thank the administrations of both schools, including (CU Athletic Director) Mike Bohn, Chancellor Peterson, (CU Faculty Athletic Representative) David Clough, president Upham, (Tulsa AD) Bubba Cunningham and (Tulsa FAR) Chris Anderson for making this possible," McConnell-Miller said. "Bianca is an exceptional young woman who has represented our program well both academically and athletically. She is one of our team leaders and we are excited that she will be able to compete for her full senior season."
Smith has averaged 8.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game for Colorado through 93 career games. She is fifth on CU's career charts for 3-point field goals made (175) and attempted (474) and is CU's single-season record holder in both categories (80-of-217 in 2007-08). One of three team captains in 2008-09, Smith was CU's third leading scorer as a junior at 9.2 points per game and ranked second in the Big 12 Conference in 3-point percentage (.382) and third in 3-pointers made (2.2 3mpg).
Smith is scheduled to graduate in May with bachelor degrees in marketing and sociology (double major).
