CASE: Escalating Number of Suspensions

2003-04 Season

(O.C. Art I, Sec 14, 9.1, 10.2)
A player had received 2 technical fouls in a game and was ejected. They were his 3rd and 4th technical fouls of the season. He received a 5th technical foul for inappropriate language after he was called on a foul, this occurred 3 games after serving a prior suspension. His 6th technical foul also for inappropriate language was awarded in his first game back from his suspension for his 5th technical.

RULING:

The player was given a one game suspension for the ejection, one game for the 3rd technical and 2 games for the 4th technical. A pattern of inappropriate responses was identified for this player. It was decided that the length of the suspension should escalate with cumulative technical fouls. The player was given a 3 game suspension for the 5th technical and a 5 game suspension for his 6th technical. Using inappropriate language towards officials should not be tolerated and these suspensions should reflect that.

SEE ALSO: This case was used as a precedent in another case the same season. Upon receiving his 4th technical, the player was also given a 2 game suspension. His 5th technical of the season also resulted in a 3 game suspension. In 2004-05 (Phipps), a 2 game suspension was given to a player receiving his 4th technical foul.
(2003-04, Phipps)