Suspension: UAA Volleyball-Coach Leggitt |
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Commissioner's Rulings
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2017-18 SeasonNovember 2, 2017
Facts:On October 28, 2017, UAA Men’s Volleyball Coach, Stephen Leggitt was involved in an incident with game officials. According to the referee, during the second set Mr. Leggitt was given a yellow card for aggressively yelling across the court about a call he disagreed with. During the changeover following the second set, Mr. Leggitt then made a remark to an official about “brutal” calls. Following the conclusion of the match, Mr. Leggitt refused to shake hands with game officials. However, according to the referee, he did then return to where the officials were gathered and yelled “Disgusting, disgusting, this is disgusting. I’m going to send the video and report you to the ACAC.” The referee has indicated that had this incident taken place during the match, he would have disqualified Mr. Leggitt for aggressive conduct and had him removed from the match. UAA provided input into this ruling, providing detail on a number of the poor calls that they say led to Mr. Leggitt’s actions. UAA also suggests that video evidence shows that the yellow card was unwarranted. To be clear, I am not ruling on whether or not the yellow card was warranted. In addition, it is not my role to deal with the quality of ACAC officiating. If UAA takes issue with the game officials in question, there are other channels through which those concerns can be addressed. Coach Leggitt concedes that he did not shake hands with game officials, indicating that he was fuming at that point and was afraid of what he might say to them. However, he described what happened next as follows: “After second thought I went up to them and told them this is the most brutal game I have ever seen and that I would make sure the ACAC sees this.” Ruling:Article I Section 3 Rule 3.1 of the ACAC Operating Code states as follows: Coaches have a responsibility to: 3.1.3 Consistently display high personal standards and project a favourable image of their sport and of coaching. 3.1.7 Treat opponents and officials with due respect both in victory and defeat and encourage student-athletes to act accordingly. Actively encourage student-athletes to uphold the rules of their sport and the spirit of such rules. The behavior exhibited by Coach Leggitt falls short of the standard expected of ACAC team officials. Frustration with the quality of officiating during the match cannot be used as an excuse for failing to comply with Rules 3.1.3 and 3.1.7. In addition, I am also particularly concerned that Coach Leggitt refused to shake hands with game officials, which is not the example that ACAC coaches should be setting for our athletes. Based on the above, a suspension is warranted to reinforce the standard expected of ACAC team officials. Accordingly, Coach Leggitt is hereby suspended for one (1) game, to be served on November 3, 2017 vs. TKU. Sincerely, Bill Hendsbee
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