The absence of senior guard Trae Clark from the Cal Poly lineup has taken a backseat to the football coaching search, but there was some light shed on the situation today.

He’s been out of the lineup since a Dec. 30 loss to Fresno State. Cal Poly sports media relations provided this news release today

Clark to Miss Rest of Season

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Senior guard Trae Clark has been ruled academically ineligible for the winter quarter and will miss the remainder of the season, as announced by head coach Kevin Bromley.

“This is disappointing for all of us, including Trae,” said Bromley. “He has fallen short on his academic responsibilities and that has cost him the remainder of his senior season of basketball.”

Clark appeared in the Mustangs’ first nine games this season, averaging 6.8 points and 2.7 assists per game. The 5-11 guard played in a total of 93 games for the Mustangs, starting in 70.

Clark is a senior, a three-year starter who was the Big West Freshman of the Year in 2005-06. He hasn’t spent a redshirt season, and it’s unclear whether he could get his grades up and come back next season.

EDIT: I just got off the phone with Cal Poly coach Kevin Bromley, and it doesn’t sound like Clark has much of a chance to return to the team if any chance at all. For more on the situation, check out Thursday’s edition of The Tribune.