Alberto Osuna’s push to gain an extra-year of eligibility made its way to capital hill on Tuesday evening.
During a meeting of the House of Representatives, East Tennessee congressman Tim Burchett used his one minute, 53 second general speech to inform people about Osuna’s case while imploring the NCAA to grant the transfer slugger immediate eligibility.
“Despite following all the necessary steps to secure eligibility and play for the University of Tennessee, the NCAA in their infinite wisdom has blocked his opportunity,” Burchett said. “Students at UT have painted the Rock, to my left here, to show their support for Berto in hopes that he might play his final season with the Vols at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. He wants to do something for his family. This is what this is all about. I don’t have time to explain it all but this situation isn’t just about Berto.”
Burchett is a U.S. Representative from Tennessee’s second congressional district serving Knoxville, Farragut and Tazewell.
In the midst of his quest for immediate eligibility, Osuna released an open letter to the NCAA earlier this week. Part of the letter was Osuna explaining that he transferred to Tennessee for the potential NIL earnings as he looks to support his family following his father’s surgery.
“I also came here for the NIL potential that didn’t exist at Tampa and to be able to help my family and I financially,” Osuna wrote. “To help my father who underwent back surgery and hasn’t been able to get back to 100% since then.”
The former Walter State Community College and North Carolina standout transferred to Tennessee back in January seeking an extra-year of eligibility due to the court ruling that gave Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia one more year of eligibility.
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But a federal judge denied Osuna’s request for a preliminary injunction last week despite acknowledging that Osuna’s case was almost identical to Pavia. Now, the power-hitting right-handed batter’s hope for eligibility is riding on the NCAA granting him one more year. Burchett is supporting Osuna and calling on the NCAA to due right by its student-athletes.
“It’s about student-athletes ensuring they’re on an equal playing field, Mr. Speaker, against a bureaucratic machine and nightmare that the NCAA has become and is seemingly continues to let down student-athletes they claim to serve,” Burchett said. “It is not imperative that he gets on the field for them (Tennessee) to win. It’s just the right thing. NCAA, do the right dadgum thing.”
Current and former Tennessee baseball players have come out in support of Osuna this week. A number of current players have posted their support on social media. A multitude of former Vols including Jared Dickey and Evan Russell have also been outspoken in their support of Osuna.
Tennessee students painted the Rock on campus “Free Berto” earlier this week to support the transfer in his quest for an extra-year of eligibility.
“The theme was kind of the same as guys looking out for other guys that wear orange, regardless of how long it’s been or what your status is or anything like that,” Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello said of the support. “So, I think the fact that everyone is willing to look out for each other regardless of circumstances, some guys are here longer, some guys shorter, it ends better or worse for some people, but I think it truly has kind of become a family deal up here. And you have to earn that, and the person you mentioned (Osuna), in particular, did it in a very, very short amount of time at every place he’s ever been to. And fortunately, this is one of them.”
Tennessee baseball is 17-0 and off to its best start in program history ahead of this weekend’s SEC opening series against Florida at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
