Eligibility - SAIT Basketball - Deiter Posein - MRU Transfer |
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Commissioner's Rulings
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2013-14 SeasonSeptember 14, 2013
Facts: Deiter Posein is currently a SAIT student who intends on playing Basketball during the 2013-14 season. Last Fall, he briefly attended Mount Royal University, withdrawing on October 12, 2012. While at MRU, Mr. Posein played in three pre-season games. Mr. Posein seeks a ruling that allows him to play for SAIT during this year’s Fall semester as a member of its Basketball team. Ruling: Article I Section 5 Rule 1.1.5.2 of the ACAC Operating Code provides one of the methods by which a transferring student may become immediately eligible: 1.1.5.2. Have not participated at a post-secondary institution in the twelve (12) months immediately prior to the date of current registration. Please note that this reinstatement clause can be used by any studentâathlete only once during their 5 years of athletic eligibility. Article I Section 5 Rule 1.4.4 is worded as follows: 1.4.4. Minimum Participation for Use of One Year of Eligibility: A student shall be considered to have used one year of ACAC eligibility if he/she has participated in one scheduled ACAC contest. The appearance of the student-athlete’s name on a game report * shall be interpreted as indicating participation in that game (* Not to include pre-season contests). Had Mr. Posein attended a CCAA school during the Fall of 2012 and played in pre-season games only, he would clearly comply with Rule 1.1.5.2 above. However, the equivalent CIS Rule 40.10.4.1.3 states that non-conference games count toward a year of CIS eligibility. The question is how to reconcile this rule with ACAC Rule 1.4.4. Of note, the Universal Transfer Form completed by MRU indicates that Mr. Posein is not currently eligible to compete at MRU because he was deemed to have participated last season as per CIS rules without successfully completing the academic year in which he participated. While ACAC Rule 1.4.4 is clearly more lenient than the corresponding CIS rule, I feel that I am bound by the fact that Mr. Posein was deemed not eligible at the school from which he is transferring. Accordingly, it is my ruling that Mr. Posein is not eligible to compete for SAIT until the start of the ACAC Winter semester in January, as per ACAC Rule 1.1.5.2. Mr. Posein is deemed to have used one (1) year of eligibility in relation to the 2012-13 season at MRU. Sincerely,
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