UND athletic department officials announced Tuesday that Sioux sophomore running back Ryan Chappell has been declared academically ineligible for the 2008 season -- the school's first as a Division I Football Championship Subdivision program.
Chappell led the Sioux last season with 1,640 rushing yards, averaging 136.7 yards per game.
The former Grand Forks Central standout was one of UND's top players the last two seasons. In his two seasons with the Sioux, Chappell rushed for 2,893 yards and 29 touchdowns as the Sioux combined to win 21 of 25 games.
Chappell also broke UND's single-game rushing record last season with a 306-yard performance against Central Washington in a 35-28 Sioux win.
"Ryan is a great person and we're going to continue to try and help him," UND coach Chris Mussman said. "He'll remain with the team and we'll try and help him become eligible for the 2009 season."
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However, Chappell will have only one season of eligibility remaining (the 2009 season).
Chappell is the second high-profile player who won't play for UND next season.
Earlier this month, sophomore linebacker Bobby Stroup was dismissed from the team after he was charged with terrorizing and burglary.
