Recruiting Violation-SAIT Hockey-Coach Olsen |
(
Commissioner's Rulings
) |
2016-17 SeasonSeptember 28, 2016Facts:On September 12, 2016 SAIT Men’s Hockey Coach Dan Olsen sent a text to Troy Trombley, a goaltender that Mr. Olsen had recruited during the 2015-16 season. The text indicated that SAIT was having goalie problems and asked if Mr. Trombley “had any interest in going to school and playing hockey.” As it turns out, Mr. Trombley is currently attending RDC and has played in three exhibition games for the RDC Men’s Hockey team. Pursuant to Article III Section I of the Operating Code, RDC seeks a ruling that Coach Olsen has violated the recruiting provisions of the ACAC Operating Code by contacting Mr. Trombley. Ruling:Article I Section 7 Rule 1 of the ACAC Operating Code states as follows: Recruiting Rules 1.1. Violations: The Recruiting Rules are in place to protect the integrity of the ACAC. Violations of these rules are serious offences. Any ACAC member should bring to the attention of the ACAC President accusations of recruiting violations with supporting documentation. The ACAC President must refer recruiting violations to the ACAC Commissioner who will investigate and report the findings to all ACAC members. An escalating severity of consequences scale is recommended and is to be applied at the discretion of the Commissioner. (Amended November, 2010) 1.6. Athletes Registered at Another Collegiate Institution: No member of an athletic staff or other delegate of athletic interest shall contact, directly or indirectly, the student of another collegiate institution to discuss the possible attendance of the athlete at their collegiate institution unless that student makes the initial contact with the delegate of the institution. If the above occurs, the following steps shall be followed: 1.6.1. Once the athlete has made initial contact, it is the responsibility of the athletic staff member or delegate to immediately inform the athlete of the process that must be followed (see 0 below). Should the athlete want more information, the athletic staff or delegate may inform the athlete of application and registration procedures provide information on the athletic program and answer any questions the athlete may have. 1.6.2 At the earliest possible time, the Athletic Director shall officially inform the other institution’s Athletic Director that the athlete has made initial contact and requested information regarding the institution’s athletic program. The AD of the previously-attended institution must be notified by the receiving AD that he/she has received the information. Information on the athletic program and questions answered may then be passed along to the athlete. In its letter of complaint, RDC alleges that Mr. Olsen was aware that Mr. Trombley was a member of the RDC team when he texted him. While conceding that its team roster was not yet published on the RDC website, RDC feels that the fact that Mr. Trombley played in three exhibition games combined with media and social media coverage of the RDC team had resulted in Coach Olsen being aware of Mr. Trombley being a current member of the RDC team. In its response to the RDC allegations, SAIT indicates that Coach Olsen denies having any knowledge that Mr. Trombley was attending RDC this Fall. As no official rosters had yet been published and Coach Olsen was not engaged in any social media, he is insistent that he had no awareness of Mr. Trombley’s involvement with RDC. Rather, a goaltender shortage at SAIT was the reason that Coach Olsen reached out to his previous season’s recruiting list, which included Mr. Trombley, hence the text sent to him. There was no subsequent attempt by Coach Olsen to contact Mr. Trombley following the initial text message. Having read Coach Olsen’s text message, I find that its contents support Coach Olsen’s version of events. The text clearly asks Mr. Trombley if he has “any interest in going to school.” The wording of the text is not in any way consistent with Coach Olsen having any knowledge that Mr. Trombley was currently attending RDC. As I am unable to find that Coach Olsen intended to knowingly contact a member of another team and with there being no ability for Coach Olsen to review the list of ACAC rosters at this point in the season, I find that he has not violated the ACAC’s recruiting rules and RDC’s complaint is hereby dismissed. Sincerely, Bill Hendsbee |