Eligibility-MHC Volleyball-Helland-Hansen

2015-16 Season

October 11, 2015

Facts:

MHC’s Terry Ballard has self-reported the use of an ineligible player during a pre-season Men’s Volleyball tournament at Red Deer College.

According to Mr. Ballard, MHC used a non-student, Ask Helland-Hansen in three matches during the tournament, all MHC victories (September 25, 2015 over College of the Rockies; September 26, 2015 over UAA; and September 26, 2015 over RDC Alumni). Mr. Helland-Hansen has a brother on the MHC team. The MHC coach is new this season and was not fully aware of the ACAC eligibility rules, wrongly assuming that since there was also an alumni team in the tournament that it would be okay to play Mr. Helland-Hansen to fill in for an injured MHC athlete.

Ruling:

Article I Section 5 Rule 11 of the ACAC Operating Code reads as follows:

11.1. Use of an Ineligible Student-Athlete 
Where it has been determined that a member institution is in violation of the rules of eligibility and has used an ineligible student-athlete, other than as identified in Article 10.2, the Commissioner shall exercise his or her discretion to determine an appropriate sanction. (Amended October, 2011)

It is clear that MHC violated Rule 11.1. The sanction for this violation is as follows:

1. MHC shall forfeit all three victories referenced above; and 
2. MHC shall pay a fine to the ACAC Office in the amount of $500.

Bill Hendsbee 
ACAC Commissioner