Josh Moore will not be attempting a return to the University of Michigan because he feels he’s “not wanted.”
- Paul Wong
- Josh Moore was kicked out of school by the Department of Kinesiology for his poor grades. He has absolutely no intention of returning to Michigan. (DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily)
The 7-foot-2, 305-pound former center on the Michigan basketball team was declared academically ineligible for the winter semester last December and was subsequently dismissed from the University’s Division of Kinesiology on Jan. 15.
But there’s no chance that Moore will consider re-applying to the University, and as a result, he will not return to the basketball team.
“There’s a 100 percent chance that I’m not going to be back at Michigan next year because I’m not wanted there,” Moore said. “I still have not been given a chance to succeed at the college basketball level.”
Moore, who said that he hadn’t had previous academic problems at Michigan, saw his grade point average drop below the required 2.0 level after a tumultuous semester.
In the summer, Moore suffered from a herniated disc in his back. But despite efforts to play through the pain, he saw action in just three games this season – averaging 5.7 points and 11 minutes per contest.
“Nobody can say that I didn’t work hard or go out of my way to not miss any sprints in practice,” Moore said.
Moore sat down with Michigan coach Tommy Amaker for just the second time all season in December to discuss a possible medical redshirt. That’s when Moore found out he was declared academically ineligible for the winter semester.
Amaker was unavailable for comment, and assistant coach Charles Ramsey didn’t return phone calls yesterday. But Amaker had only good things to say about Moore when it was announced that the Division of Kinesiology had dismissed him from the University.
“It’s disappointing,” Amaker said on Jan. 15. “He’s bright, articulate and has a lot of qualities people would think of that are positive. It’s unfortunate that things haven’t worked out for him.”
In December, Amaker said that he expected Moore to enroll for the winter semester, and he said he would consider reinstating Moore late this summer.
But when Kinesiology administrators looked over Moore’s case after the semester ended, they decided to dismiss him.
“I got kicked out of school,” Moore said. “It’s nobody’s fault but my own and I take full responsibility. But I could have gotten more support. I didn’t get the same help that some players got.”
Director of Academic Services for the Division of Kinesiology Harry McLaughlin couldn’t legally comment on a former student or his records. But McLaughlin said that when a student’s case is being discussed, the department looks at the student’s past and most recent performance – as well as extenuating circumstances – before deciding whether the student can handle the University’s requirements.
“I gave my all to (Amaker), gave my all to the program,” Moore said. “I never got a DUI or got in trouble. So for me to be in the position I was in, I don’t understand it. I didn’t do anything to make the University look bad.”
Moore said he doesn’t want pity or empathy, just to tell the truth. He wishes his former teammates well and feels bad for the supporters he left behind.
“I feel sorry for people who supported me,” Moore said. “It’s hard to tell who those people were, but God bless them.”
Moore averaged 4.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 29 games at Michigan.
Moore said that he isn’t sure what his future plans entail, but he won’t be playing basketball overseas.
The Wolverines will have no returning players over 6-foot-7 next season.