Eligibility - GPRC Curling - Clark |
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Eligibility Ruling
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2013-14 SeasonFebruary 7, 2014Facts: Francois Fournier of Grande Prairie Regional College has self-reported a violation involving Caryn Clark of the Women’s Curling team. Ms. Clark was a member of the GPRC Curling team this season. Ms. Clark was registered in 9 credit hours at the outset of the Winter semester. GPRC confirmed this by checking her Fall marks as well as her Winter class schedule. However, without the knowledge of the GPRC Athletic Department, Ms. Clark withdrew from one of her classes on January 15, 2014, leaving her academically ineligible to compete as per the ACAC Operating Code. She subsequently competed for GPRC over the January 31-February 1, 2014 weekend. Ruling: It is clear that GPRC inadvertently used an ineligible player during a number of matches during the January 31-February 1, 2014 weekend, including victories over NAIT, Olds College and CUCA. Article I Section 5 Rule 10.1 applies to these circumstances: 10.1. Use of an Ineligible Student-Athlete GPRC clearly acted in good faith. However, it violated the ACAC Operating Code by allowing an ineligible student-athlete to compete in a number of ACAC matches, including the victories referenced above. As a result, it is my ruling that GPRC shall forfeit the results of all three (3) matches listed above and I hereby direct the ACAC Office to revise the results of those matches. Taking into account the fact that GPRC was unaware that Ms. Clark had dropped below full-time status as well as the self-reporting of this transgression, no fine will be issued in this case. Sincerely, Bill Hendsbee February 5, 2014Memo to: Bill Hendsbee, ACAC Commissioner From: Francois Fournier, Athletic Director, GPRC Re: Curling Athlete We have just been informed that we have inadvertently played an ineligible player in the recent ACAC Curling Winter Regional. Here is what occurred. Caryn Clark, a member of the GPRC Wolves Women’s Curling Team, was registered in 3 classes, 9 credits, to start the Winter Semester. This was determined through our process of checking the Fall Semester marks and her Winter class schedule. As she complied with all eligibility requirements, she was deemed eligible. Unbeknownst to us, Caryn withdrew from one of her classes January 15th. This was after we had done our review of her eligibility. As she had not spoken with her coach, a counselor with Student Services or anyone from Athletics we were not aware of this change in her status. We were informed today of Caryn’s status by Student Services. The result is that she has been ineligible since January 15th when she withdrew from the one class. This then means that we played an ineligible player. As the determination of who attends the Championships is based on the win/loss status of the two regional tournaments, it is necessary that a decision of the status of GPRC’s games be done quickly. As we will likely be required to forfeit all of our Winter Regional games, the rankings will change. This will affect who attends the Championships. GPRC apologizes for the error in this situation and take responsibility for it. Francois Fournier |