The women's team at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, KY is 31-0 heading into next week's DIII Final Four.  Last season they finished 31-1 and lost in the Elite Eight when their star, Sydney Moss, was injured early in the game  Moss is the biological  daughter of NFL great, Randy Moss, but he isn't involved in her life.

Moss played for Florida her freshmen season. She was homesick and wanted to play closer to home.  The Florida staff refused to allow her time off to visit her sick grandfather, who then died during surgery. When she told them of her plans to leave, the Florida staff blocked her from going to any other D1 school.  So she ended up at Thomas More.

Go, Saints!

Wow, that sure makes the staff at Florida look like some d-bags.

Florida finished 10th in the SEC this year

Just to be fair...it's not up to the "staff", it is ultimately up to the compliance person at the school.  Even if someone is denied a release, they have the opportunity to appeal the decision to a panel made up with people from outside of athletics.

Also, the staff can't block anyone from transferring to another D1 school.  If they deny the release, then other schools can't actively recruit the player, nor can they offer athletic aid in the first year at the new school.  However the player can pursue their own transfer and receive regular merit aid and financial aid as any other student would.  

I don't know the specifics of this case, but given that she went to a D3 school rather than a D2 or another D1 signals that at least part of the decision may have  been based on the desire to be able to play right away since she's paying her way without athletic aid at a D3 just as she would have had to do had she gone to another D1.  

That is the Gainesville Lizards for you! Oops, I meant the Florida Gators. Go "Noles!

They did it!  Thomas More's women defeated previously unbeaten George Fox 83-63 to win the DIII title and complete a perfect 32-0 season