Forward no longer with program

~ Academic problems led to Terry leaving the Redhawks.

It was not certain that Hebert Terry would have been a member of the 2007-08 Southeast Missouri State men's basketball team anyway.

But Southeast coach Scott Edgar said Wednesday that Terry failed to meet academic requirements, meaning Terry is definitely no longer with the Redhawks program.

Terry, a forward, spent last season practicing with the Redhawks, but was not eligible for games because he was technically a transfer, even though he had not previously played for another program.

Terry originally signed with Mississippi but asked to be released after a coaching change. He attended summer school at Ball State last year before joining Southeast in the fall.

Terry was never on scholarship at Southeast, instead paying his own way.

When Terry was not seen on the bench in street clothes for the Redhawks' final few games last season, speculation arose that he would not be with the program for the 2007-08 campaign.

Edgar kept saying that Terry still had to earn a spot on the team.

The academic issues made that a moot point.

"I'm disappointed any time somebody does not academically take care of what they're supposed to," Edgar said. "They're here to get an education first and then to play basketball.

"The Southeast Missouri State men's basketball program wishes him well."

Edgar said he did not know about Terry's future plans.