CASE: RDC Basketball - Roster Size |
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Commissioner's Rulings
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2011-12 SeasonNovember 28, 2011Facts: During the final few minutes of its November 4, 2011 game against King’s, the RDC Men’s Basketball team used a player not listed on its game roster. At the time this player entered the game, RDC was winning the game handily and was “emptying its bench,” allowing its reserves to gain playing time. Neither the table crew nor the RDC coach realized that a 13th player had entered the game. The final score was RDC 81 King’s 59. Ruling: RDC’s actions violate Article I Section 13 Rule 10.1.1 of the Operating Code, which reads as follows: 10.1.1. Roster: Squad limitation to be 14 players maximum to be dressed for any one game. Only 12 players may be registered on the FIBA score sheet and participate in the game. (Amended September 2006) Although I am of the view that the violation of Rule 10.1.1 was inadvertent, RDC had a responsibility to ensure that the above rule was not violated. The school also had a responsibility to ensure that its table crew was aware of Rule 10.1.1 and had systems in place to ensure that it was complied with. In my opinion, this situation is analogous with the recent administrative ineligibility cases. In this case, an otherwise eligible player entered the game under circumstances where he was technically ineligible to do so. As in the administrative ineligibility cases, I am not prepared to have RDC forfeit its victory. Instead, the result will count and RDC is fined $500, payable forthwith to the ACAC Office. Sincerely, Bill Hendsbee |