At Heitner Legal, we are committed to advocating for athletes who face unforeseen challenges that impact their collegiate careers. We are pleased to announce the successful securing of a medical hardship waiver for Gage Hensey, a talented men’s track and field athlete at the University of Oklahoma. This waiver restores an additional year of eligibility for Gage’s outdoor track season, allowing him to continue competing at the highest level while pursuing his academic goals. Our firm’s involvement in this matter underscores our dedication to navigating the complexities of NCAA regulations on behalf of deserving clients.
The facts of Gage’s case highlight the significant physical and mental hardships he endured during the 2022-2023 academic year. Gage began experiencing hamstring issues during the indoor season, which were initially managed through rehabilitation. A serious setback occurred when he was forced to scratch from the Tiger Paw Invitational on February 10-11, 2023. Despite contributing to the 4×400 relay team’s qualification for the NCAA Indoor National Championships, the strain resurfaced during warm-ups, preventing him from competing. Transitioning to the outdoor season, Gage participated in the Island Relays in the Bahamas on March 17-18, 2023, but the injury’s severity escalated shortly thereafter, leading him to cease running entirely.
He sidelined himself from practices, did not travel with the team, and scratched from multiple entries, including home meets. Compounding these physical challenges were profound mental health struggles, including depression stemming from the isolation of injury, academic pressures, and the fear of losing his roster spot as a walk-on athlete. Gage’s personal statement details how societal stigmas around men’s mental health made it difficult for him to seek help at the time, further exacerbating his incapacity to perform.
Under pressure from the former coaching staff, Gage attempted a return at the Arkansas Twilight meet on May 5, 2023, entering the 400 meters despite not being fully recovered. He finished in 11th place with one of his slowest collegiate times, limping across the line. This isolated participation represented only about 20% of the outdoor season’s competitions, well below the NCAA’s threshold for hardship waiver eligibility under its bylaws. The University of Oklahoma submitted a comprehensive application to the NCAA, including medical records, treatment notes, performance statistics, and Gage’s statement, affirming that he met the requirements due to incapacity from injury and illness in the first half of the season.
Heitner Legal played a pivotal role in supporting this application by drafting detailed letters of advocacy. Drawing on our extensive experience in sports law and NCAA compliance, we emphasized the mitigating circumstances, including the intertwined physical injury and mental health challenges, as well as the external pressures that led to Gage’s premature return. Our arguments were grounded in NCAA precedents that recognize mental illness as a qualifying factor when it impedes participation, and we highlighted how a rigid application of the rules would unjustly penalize Gage for factors beyond his control. Through close collaboration with Gage and the University’s compliance team, we ensured the submission was thorough and compelling, ultimately leading to the waiver’s approval.
This positive outcome not only restores Gage’s eligibility but also allows him to compete in the 2025-2026 season with renewed focus on his health and performance. We are proud to have assisted Gage in overcoming these obstacles and wish him continued success on the track.
If you are an athlete facing similar eligibility issues or other legal challenges in the sports industry, Heitner Legal is here to provide expert guidance and representation. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your goals.