Howdy Aggie Family,

This is Amy Chestnut, mom of Travis Chestnut, former Texas A&M baseball player, Class of 2025 graduate, and member of the 2024 Aggie team that reached the College World Series Finals.

We are seeking pro bono legal assistance from someone experienced in sports law, NCAA compliance, or athlete rights to help us fight an unfair denial of eligibility. Travis is currently pursuing an appeal for one additional season of Division I eligibility, a request rooted in fairness, legal precedent, and the NCAA's evolving policy landscape.

Travis began his career at Temple Junior College, where he played two seasons. Due to the NCAA's COVID-19 relief policy, JUCO athletes were granted an extra year of eligibility for the 2020-2021 academic year, allowing Travis a third year at JUCO, he did not play a 3rd year at Juco, he transferred to Texas A&M and played two full seasons (2023 and 2024), contributing significantly, especially during the team's College World Series run.

Despite being academically enrolled and on track to graduate, Travis was denied a fifth year of eligibility at the Division I level after the CWS, not due to injury, misconduct, or grades, but solely because of the NCAA's "five-year clock" rule. That rule limits all student-athletes to five calendar years from their first full-time enrollment (including JUCOs) to complete four seasons of eligibility.

Here's the issue: In late 2024, following legal challenges (notably the Diego Pavia case), the NCAA implemented a temporary waiver allowing JUCO athletes an additional D1 season. Unfortunately, this waiver was introduced after Travis' denial and wasn't applied retroactively, even though his case meets the same criteria. He was effectively penalized for being too early in the process.

Travis didn't give up. He stayed enrolled at Texas A&M and simultaneously played his final season at St. Edward's University (DII) in 2025. This spring, he carried 12 online credit hours at Texas A&M and 12 in-person hours at SEU, a 24-credit academic load while playing a full season of college baseball. He broke the 45-year-old SEU stolen base record (currently has 40) with 11 homeruns on the season AND finished all 24 hours with all A's! That kind of effort reflects a student-athlete who has gone above and beyond to stay on track academically and athletically.

He officially earned his degree from Texas A&M last week and has since entered the transfer portal, with interest from several programs. But his heart remains in Aggieland. Coach Michael Earley and the A&M staff fully support his return, should the NCAA allow it.

We believe there is a strong case here, both legally and ethically. Travis' situation directly mirrors cases where courts have ruled against the NCAA's outdated and inconsistently applied eligibility rules. The Pavia and Jett Elad cases show a growing judicial willingness to challenge the NCAA on these grounds, especially where JUCO athletes have been disproportionately impacted.

We are looking for a legal professional who can, Review the full timeline and NCAA correspondence, determine if there is a path to refile, appeal, or challenge the NCAA's ruling, Help advocate for a fair reconsideration in light of recent legal precedent.

If you or someone you know has the background to support this kind of effort, we would be incredibly grateful. This is not just about one more season, it's about doing what's right for a student-athlete who's done everything right.

Thank you, and Gig 'Em.

Amy Chestnut

Howdy Amy - Read your post. Have you reached out to Bradley Beckworth? (nixlaw.com) As I recall he's the attorney who helped Johnny Manziel fight the NCAA so I'm sure he is adequately familiar with them. He's also an Aggie and he's right there in Austin. Really impressed with Travis and have always been a fan but HUGE congrats to him on getting his degree while playing collegiate baseball. Awesome! PS I'd post this to the premium board as well. I think you'd get more feedback there.

Travis is a great Ag, and I hope he gets the desired result!

24 credit hours with all A's while playing any sport is nuts. Great to hear Travis is doing well, and best of luck on the appeal.

I hope someone can help Travis get back home to Aggieland.

My 10 year old son was enamored with him last year because we live in Pf and he was excited that he knew someone on the team that went to Pf high school.

LukeDuke said:

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Travis is a great Ag, and I hope he gets the desired result!

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and takes down the NCAA in the process

I'm sure I'm in the minority and this post likely be deleted.

I mean this in no disrespect whatsoever .

Your son accomplished what most could only dream of in baseball .. but it may be time to move onto something else.

Looks like he is a High level student and he was a key part of one of A&M's most successful baseball teams in history. So his name would be a popular one with jobs within the Aggie Network.

What is there left to prove in college baseball?

I understand frustration but parents going after the NCAA in courts and posting for pro bono help on an Internet forum just seem a little desperate and juvenile.

I apologize it that comes off rude , that is not my intent
I'm genuinely curious why fight that battle for 1 season after your son has already accomplished so much?

What's left to prove and more importantly what's left to gain? He has played 5 full seasons of college baseball and wanting to come back for a 6th season.
It just might be time to move onto something else.

You apparently don't understand the new NIL era, there's serious money at play here

Bronco6Gen said:

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You apparently don't understand the new NIL era, there's serious money at play here

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In well aware of NIL.
No disrespect to Travis but he is not an MLB prospect , the NIL $ acquired in a 6th year of eligibility would be minimum at best. For sure not " serious"

Then why Pro Bono?

Oh really, what value do you put on a starting SEC infielder?

Bronco6Gen said:

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Oh really, what value do you put on a starting SEC infielder?

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Substantially less than what you think it is .

So you don't have a value? Throw out a number

Hi Kev, I appreciate you sharing your perspective, and I'm posting on my son's behalf because he's currently still busy doing what he loves, playing postseason baseball.

This isn't about being desperate or juvenile. It's about fighting for fairness and opportunity. In the current NIL era, there's more at stake than ever before. It's not just about playing a sixth season for fun. It's about honoring the work he's put in, the setbacks he's overcome, and the future he's still building both on and off the field.

You have your whole life to work. Why not finish what you love on the field you sacrificed so much to reach? For him, this isn't just a game. It's the culmination of years of grit, growth, and perseverance.

And since you brought up pro bono support, yes, I'm a single mom and no, we don't come from money. When he transferred to Division II, he lost all his NIL income. We're doing what we can with what we have, and that includes asking for legal help where it's needed. He had just come off the biggest stage in college baseball, the College World Series, with momentum, visibility, and everything aligning for the next step in his career, then the NCAA shut it all down, forcing him to Division II and stripping away the platform he worked his whole life to reach. Along with it, he lost his NIL income and the financial support that helped him stay afloat, leaving us to carry the burden just so he could finish what he started.

I didn't raise my son to back down. I raised him to fight for what he believes in, to work for what he wants, and to walk through fire if that's what it takes. He's earned every bit of where he is, and now he's standing up for his future on his terms, not anyone else's. He's in control of his career, his path, and his purpose. people like you don't intimidate him. He doesn't flinch, he doesn't fold, and he sure as hell doesn't need approval from someone sitting on the sidelines. He knows what he wants, and he's going to fight to get it.

If he wins this appeal and gets the season he deserves, just don't be the first one asking for his autograph.

Extremely cool that he stayed enrolled at A&M and graduated while also taking classes and playing at another university. If that was reported on I completely missed it this year. I'd assume there haven't been a lot of student athletes in history that have simultaneously been taking classes at a completely different university. Congrats to Travis for graduating. This story will suit him well for the rest of his life regardless of what happens with a baseball appeal from here.

Ag13 said:

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Extremely cool that he stayed enrolled at A&M and graduated while also taking classes and playing at another university. If that was reported on I completely missed it this year. I'd assume there haven't been a lot of student athletes in history that have simultaneously been taking classes at a completely different university. Congrats to Travis for graduating. This story will suit him well for the rest of his life regardless of what happens with a baseball appeal from here.

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Travis was screwed by the NCAA. It was a corner case until it wasnt.

He belongs at A&M or whatever school he chooses.

Best of luck and know that the vast vast majority are are behind you and Travis! I bet the Aggie Network will come through.

BadMoonRisin said:

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Ag13 said:

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Extremely cool that he stayed enrolled at A&M and graduated while also taking classes and playing at another university. If that was reported on I completely missed it this year. I'd assume there haven't been a lot of student athletes in history that have simultaneously been taking classes at a completely different university. Congrats to Travis for graduating. This story will suit him well for the rest of his life regardless of what happens with a baseball appeal from here.

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Travis was screwed by the NCAA. It was a corner case until it wasnt.

He belongs at A&M or whatever school he chooses.

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Yep and good for him for doing what he could to keep doors open

Fingers crossed he gets back into the Maroon and White. Not only for continuing his dream but we are going to need another Old Man next year!

Seriously though, I was pretty shocked when he got denied. F the NCAA. I say that often and for many different reasons but this one is truly heartfelt.

Quote:

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Diego Pavia, a Vanderbilt University quarterback, won a court case against the NCAA, resulting in a temporary injunction that allowed him an extra year of eligibility. This ruling was based on arguments that the NCAA's eligibility rules, which counted his junior college time against his NCAA eligibility, violated antitrust law. The injunction allows Pavia to play in the 2025 season, potentially earning significant NIL money.

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The Diego Pavia case, for those that are not aware.

I wish you the best, Ms. Chestnut. We are big fans of Travis.

Good luck! Would love for Nutty to be able to come back!

Aschenbeck moved on and was an elite talent who wanted to come back. And we desperately wanted him back. Sometimes things don't work out like you hope and a new opportunity is around the corner.

This is the one time I wish I were an attorney. I genuinely hated that Travis's case was denied, only to see new rulings follow.

Wishing you all the best as you pursue this avenue. I know so many would love to see Travis back in maroon and white! We did miss him and his energy this year.

Best of luck! Hopefully he gets to finish his career the right way on his terms.

amychestnut said:

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Hi Kev, I appreciate you sharing your perspective, and I'm posting on my son's behalf because he's currently still busy doing what he loves, playing postseason baseball.

This isn't about being desperate or juvenile. It's about fighting for fairness and opportunity. In the current NIL era, there's more at stake than ever before. It's not just about playing a sixth season for fun. It's about honoring the work he's put in, the setbacks he's overcome, and the future he's still building both on and off the field.

You have your whole life to work. Why not finish what you love on the field you sacrificed so much to reach? For him, this isn't just a game. It's the culmination of years of grit, growth, and perseverance.

And since you brought up pro bono support, yes, I'm a single mom and no, we don't come from money. When he transferred to Division II, he lost all his NIL income. We're doing what we can with what we have, and that includes asking for legal help where it's needed. He had just come off the biggest stage in college baseball, the College World Series, with momentum, visibility, and everything aligning for the next step in his career, then the NCAA shut it all down, forcing him to Division II and stripping away the platform he worked his whole life to reach. Along with it, he lost his NIL income and the financial support that helped him stay afloat, leaving us to carry the burden just so he could finish what he started.

I didn't raise my son to back down. I raised him to fight for what he believes in, to work for what he wants, and to walk through fire if that's what it takes. He's earned every bit of where he is, and now he's standing up for his future on his terms, not anyone else's. He's in control of his career, his path, and his purpose. people like you don't intimidate him. He doesn't flinch, he doesn't fold, and he sure as hell doesn't need approval from someone sitting on the sidelines. He knows what he wants, and he's going to fight to get it.

If he wins this appeal and gets the season he deserves, just don't be the first one asking for his autograph.

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Why does he "deserve" a sixth year of college baseball? Why not leave a spot for an 18 year old kid who also has a single mom and needs help paying for college?

I want a Range Rover. My mom taught me to work hard for it, not post on the internet for donations.

maybe the most "User name checks out" moment in TexAgs history?

Let's clear this up once and for all. Wanting a Range Rover and asking strangers to buy it for you is not the same as fighting for the right to finish your college career and education on your own terms. That comparison is weak, and honestly, pretty tone-deaf.

Travis isn't asking for a handout. He's asking for the chance to be treated fairly, just like many other athletes who were forced out of Division I programs because of unclear or inconsistent NCAA rulings. He lost his momentum, lost NIL money, and had to drop down to Division II just to keep playing the game he loves while finishing his degree. If he wants to fight for another year, he has every right to do that. And if we have a strong legal case to back it, you better believe we're going to fight it.

Let's ask the real question. Do athletes like Diego Pavia and others deserve to be on the field for a sixth year, or are they selfish for taking a spot from an 18-year-old freshman? Because if you support their right to finish strong, then you better believe Travis deserves that same shot. And if you're going to question his right to fight, ask yourself, do the athletes getting sixth and even seventh years deserve it more than him? No. Travis isn't asking for special treatment. He's asking for equal treatment.

And let's be clear about something else. I work multiple jobs. I don't come from money. I've never once asked anyone to buy a single thing for me or my family. I work hard every day to provide for my kids and support their goals, no matter their age! We're not asking anyone to pay for our life. We're asking for support in standing up to a system that's failed to protect the athletes it claims to represent.

Unfortunately, you can't just write the NCAA yourself and expect them to listen. You have to have an attorney who knows how to navigate their system. If we could do it ourselves, we would, but this fight requires legal support, and that's what we're asking for.

If Travis wins this appeal, he'll walk back onto that field and finish what he started with pride, with purpose, and without needing anyone's approval. If not, he'll move forward with the same grit and drive he's always had, building his future like he's built everything else through hard work.

You get to chase your goals. So does he.

Thank you for that information! I appreciate it.

I wish, as a society, we were embarrassed to beg for money again.

cheeky said:

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Aschenbeck moved on and was an elite talent who wanted to come back. And we desperately wanted him back. Sometimes things don't work out like you hope and a new opportunity is around the corner.

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This
And did his parents take the ncaa to court and ask for financial assistance? Nope

Sorry Mrs chestnut but when another poster gave his opinion and in a very polite and genuine manner. you responded with rude and inmature undertones.
His opinion was valid also , not everybody will agree but you responded with smart ass remarks and attacked him on things he didn't even say or suggest.


You took it to a new level.

amychestnut said:

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Let's clear this up once and for all. Wanting a Range Rover and asking strangers to buy it for you is not the same as fighting for the right to finish your college career and education on your own terms. That comparison is weak, and honestly, pretty tone-deaf.

Travis isn't asking for a handout. He's asking for the chance to be treated fairly, just like many other athletes who were forced out of Division I programs because of unclear or inconsistent NCAA rulings. He lost his momentum, lost NIL money, and had to drop down to Division II just to keep playing the game he loves while finishing his degree. If he wants to fight for another year, he has every right to do that. And if we have a strong legal case to back it, you better believe we're going to fight it.

Let's ask the real question. Do athletes like Diego Pavia and others deserve to be on the field for a sixth year, or are they selfish for taking a spot from an 18-year-old freshman? Because if you support their right to finish strong, then you better believe Travis deserves that same shot. And if you're going to question his right to fight, ask yourself, do the athletes getting sixth and even seventh years deserve it more than him? No. Travis isn't asking for special treatment. He's asking for equal treatment.

And let's be clear about something else. I work multiple jobs. I don't come from money. I've never once asked anyone to buy a single thing for me or my family. I work hard every day to provide for my kids and support their goals, no matter their age! We're not asking anyone to pay for our life. We're asking for support in standing up to a system that's failed to protect the athletes it claims to represent.

Unfortunately, you can't just write the NCAA yourself and expect them to listen. You have to have an attorney who knows how to navigate their system. If we could do it ourselves, we would, but this fight requires legal support, and that's what we're asking for.

If Travis wins this appeal, he'll walk back onto that field and finish what he started with pride, with purpose, and without needing anyone's approval. If not, he'll move forward with the same grit and drive he's always had, building his future like he's built everything else through hard work.

You get to chase your goals. So does he.

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You are asking for very valuable legal services. Free of charge.

Your son now has a degree from a top notch university. And he got to play a sport he loved in the process. Shouldn't he make his way in the world now and let another kid live that dream?