The deadline for TCU to respond to the lawsuit filed by Jacob Hernandez, former TCU track and field athlete, has been extended by two weeks, TCU attorney Robert Ginsburg said Monday.Ginsburg said he is not allowed to discuss the reason for extending the deadline because it is a “pending litigation.”

Tracy Syler-Jones, the spokesperson for TCU, said she could not give the reason why the deadline was extended.

She said she was not able to discuss any matters pertaining to the lawsuit because of TCU’s policy prohibiting commenting on “pending litigation.”

Hernandez’s attorney, Shelby Sharpe, said the extension was something that was needed and was not unusual for a lawsuit.

“I do not remember how the conversation was started, but it was a general conversation, and a mutual agreement for an extension was reached,” Sharpe said.

After the lawsuit was filed by Hernandez, TCU had 20 days plus the following Monday after they were notified to respond.

According to the return of citation form, TCU was served with the lawsuit Aug. 17.

The original deadline to respond was 10 a.m. Monday.

The new deadline is Sept. 26, Sharpe said.

Sharpe also said the deadline could be extended as many times as TCU needs, but he does not anticipate any further extensions.

Hernandez has not expressed any concern about the delay of the procedures, Sharpe said.

According to the lawsuit, Hernandez is suing TCU for his release and his attorney’s fees and costs. He already transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, but, according to NCAA rules, he is not allowed to compete until he is released from TCU.

“My client is not concentrating on the lawsuit,” Sharpe said. “He is focusing on his studies.”

Hernandez could not be reached for comment.