Ruling-GMU Hockey-Page |
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Commissioner's Rulings
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2014-15February17, 2015Facts: Carter Page is listed on MacEwan’s Men’s Hockey eligibility certificate. However, he did not play his first league game until the February 13-14, 2015 weekend. MacEwan seeks a ruling that Mr. Page be allowed to participate in the ACAC playoffs on the basis that the team has sustained injuries to several other team members. Ruling: Article I Section 5 Rule 4 of the ACAC Operating Code states as follows: Eligibility for Playdowns A student-athlete must be listed on the original certificate of eligibility (fall semester) or on a supplemental certificate of eligibility and have appeared on an ACAC regular season game sheet (on or before January 30, soccer excepted) in order to be eligible for playoffs. (Amended April, 2012) 4.3. Cases involving injury, illness or academic ineligibility shall be decided by the Commissioner. A medical certificate shall accompany any request for medical exemption. MacEwan suggests that the injuries to its other team members, which it has documented in its request for a ruling, satisfy Rule 4.3 above. With respect, I disagree. In my opinion, Rule 4.3 is clearly intended to apply to the athlete who is asking for an exception to the rule requiring that he compete in a league game on or before January 30 in order to be eligible to compete in the playoffs. In this instance, the injuries to the other MacEwan athletes are not relevant to Mr. Page’s request. Only a documented injury to Mr. Page, which prevented him from competing prior to January 30, could be considered as a valid request under Rule 4.3. As such, Mr. Page is not eligible for playoff games during the current season. Sincerely, Bill Hendsbee |