turned down by the NCAA, rather they simply didn't clear it ahead of time, and are concerned about getting in trouble if they do it without prior approval. Given how the NCAA operates, that concern seems reasonable, but you'd think they could try and get it cleared, especially since they don't seem to think it violates any rules to begin with.
It sounds like the NCAA didn't know he was just donating his hair. I think the NCAA is awful most of the time, but I really find it hard to believe they would rule against this if they had all the facts from the beginning.
How is he being anything other than a great ambassador for college sports?