Eric Devendorf, a junior starting guard on Syracuse University’s men’s basketball team, has been suspended for the rest of the academic year. A judicial affairs hearing board ruled Wednesday he violated the university’s Code of Student Conduct.

Devendorf ‘was placed on a status of indefinite suspension from Syracuse University for a minimum of one academic term,’ according to a letter from Judicial Affairs faxed to Richard Kesnig, attorney for Kimberly Smith, the 20-year-old SU junior who accused Devendorf of punching her in the face Nov. 1

The letter prohibits Devendorf from being on SU property or taking part in any programs offered by the university, Kesnig said.

A source with information about the situation said that Devendorf plans to appeal the suspension, and will play in Saturday’s game against Long Beach State.

Devendorf has until 5 p.m. Thursday to appeal the decision, which is effective immediately. The suspension is not effective until the appeals board’s final decision is confirmed.

Devendorf’s party then has five business days from when SU released its decision to submit a written appeal. The University Appeals Board, composed of one student and two faculty, staff or administrative members, has another 10 business days to come to a final decision. That decision must be approved by Tom Wolfe, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, or someone Wolfe appoints.

SU spokesman Kevin Morrow did not return a call seeking comment.

Devendorf, a senior academically but junior athletically, is the third-leading scorer for No. 13 Syracuse (8-0). He is averaging 14.1 points per game this season after missing most of last season when he tore his ACL on Dec. 15, 2007. He applied for and received another year of athletic eligibility because he played in only 10 games during the 2007-08 season.

Staff writer Zach Schonbrun contributed reporting to this story.

Published on January 2, 2009 at 12:00 pm