Peterson Cleared to Play

Lincoln -- University of Nebraska women's basketball player Melody Peterson has been reinstated by the NCAA and will be immediately eligible to play for the Husker women's basketball team. The Administrative Review Subcommittee granted Peterson's waiver request to be immediately eligible on Dec. 21 and the official letter of reinstatement was received on Dec. 23.

A junior guard, Peterson transferred to Nebraska from Stanford University. The 5-9 junior guard from Pasadena, Calif., was not a member of the Cardinal squad last year and did not participate in intercollegiate athletics during the 1998-99 season. Peterson played in all 27 games in 1997-98, averaging 7.4 points and 2.7 rebounds for Stanford. She played in 23 games in 1996-97, averaging 1.2 points and 0.7 rebounds, helping the Cardinal to the NCAA Final Four. Peterson has already earned her bachelor's degree in political science and African-American studies at Stanford in 1999. She was a high school All-American at Mater Dei High School in 1996.

Head Coach Paul Sanderford said Peterson will dress for Nebraska's next game against UAB on Dec. 29 and could see action. The women play UAB at the St. Peter's Holiday Classic which continues through Dec. 30. Before returning to Lincoln, the women will play at UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 3.