Protest Ruling-BC Basketball-AMB-BC

2019-20 Season 

November 12, 2019 

Facts:

AMB has protested the results of an October 18, 2019 Women’s Basketball game played at AMB against BC, which was won by BC 90-66.

The basis for the protest is an alleged violation of Article I Section 12 Rule 1.2 of the ACAC Operating Code, which is worded as follows:

1.2 Roster: Squad limitation to be 14 players maximum to be dressed for any one game. Only 12 players may be registered on the FIBA score sheet and may participate in the game.

AMB’s position is that BC had 13 players on the game sheet, in violation of Rule 1.2.

The game sheet in question is attached to this ruling. It shows a number of changes having been made, including changes to the numbers assigned to BC players and, in particular, it shows #10 Madison Martens crossed off the game sheet and the name Maddie Beattie (#13) marked down in her place. The game sheet was signed by BC Coach Danny Vincent prior to these changes being made.

Near the start of the second quarter the AMB game day crew noticed some errors with the jersey numbers of BC players. The game was halted, the officials were called to the scorer’s table and a BC player came to the table and made several changes to the game sheet, including crossing out Ms. Martens’ name and inserting Ms. Beattie’s name.

In its submissions, BC says that at no time did it have 13 players on the game sheet. The crossing out of Ms. Martens’ name and insertion of Ms. Beattie’s name was merely correcting an error made by the game day crew. According to Coach Vincent, the line-up originally presented to him by the game day crew was highly inaccurate, causing him to make several changes. The game sheet was then not provided to Coach Vincent for his signature until a few minutes before the pre-game presentation. Coach Vincent says that before signing the game sheet he identified his starting five and noted that only 12 players were listed but that he wrongly assumed

that the changes he had requested had been made, including scratching Ms. Martens and ensuring that Ms. Beattie was listed on the game sheet.

While AMB has reported that Coach Brand voiced his concerns and suggested that he would file a protest at the time, Coach Vincent has indicated that the referee assured him that the changes made to the game sheet were permitted. However, there seems to be some confusion from the game officials about the nature of those changes. In her submissions, the Crew Chief indicated that it was her understanding that the only changes that were made to the game sheet were to correct the jersey numbers of BC players, which had been incorrectly recorded. She indicates that such a change is permitted by the rules. She is adamant, however, that the officiating crew was not aware that the name of one BC player was being replaced with another during the game and that such a change would not be allowed under the rules.

Ruling:

Article III Section 3 of the Operating Code deals with the appropriate procedure for dealing with protests. The appropriate rules are as follows:

2.2. A protest lodged subsequent to the conclusion of a contest, based on alleged violations of the Operating Code or other rules of the Conference, shall be submitted in writing to the Commissioner and shall be regarded as a valid protest so long as it is received by the Commissioner no later than the fifth day following the day on which the contest occurred.

2.3. It shall be incumbent upon the athletic director of any member institution lodging a protest to contact the Commissioner: 

2.3.1. Prior to 3:00 PM on the Monday, immediately following the week in which the protested contest occurred (contests protested as per 2.1).

2.3.2. On the same day during which the Letter of Protest is sent to the Commissioner (contests protested as per 2.2).

3. Fee

3.1. A protest lodged as per 2.2 above shall be accompanied by a deposit of $250.00, refundable if the protest is upheld. (Amended June, 2011)

AMB filed its protest in time and has paid the required $250 deposit.

It is clear that Ms. Martens did not enter the game. It is also clear that BC acted in good faith, with no intent to deceive. The mistake made on the game sheet was an honest one. Nonetheless, a violation of Rule 1.2 did take place as Coach Vincent signed a game sheet with 12 players listed and subsequently added a 13th player. The question is whether the protest should be allowed under the circumstances.

In its submissions, BC references a number of mistakes made by the game day crew both before and during the game in question. BC also makes reference to the pregame protocol being changed to accommodate an extended presentation. While that may have been the case, these peripheral issues distract from the issue at hand, which relates solely to the responsibility of Coach Vincent to ensure that the game sheet he was signing accurately reflected BC’s line-up.

This issue must be determined by applying the principles of eligibility.

Article I Section 5 Rule 10.1 of the ACAC Operating Code is worded as follows:

10.1 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…the Commissioner shall exercise his or her discretion to determine an appropriate sanction.

In this case, once Coach Vincent signed the game sheet, the only 12 players eligible to participate in the game were the players listed on the game sheet at that time. Ms. Beattie was not one of the players listed. Thus, she was not eligible to participate in the game.

It is not relevant that the game day crew may have erred by failing to include Ms. Beattie on the game sheet that was provided to Coach Vincent nor is it relevant that the pregame protocol was altered such that Coach Vincent was receiving the game sheet for his signature closer to game time than usual. Ultimately, it is the Head Coach’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the game sheet before signing it. The game could not have begun without Coach Vincent’s signature on the game sheet and it was within his rights to take whatever time he felt was required before signing off on it.

The accuracy of game sheets is crucial to ACAC play and, therefore, they must be checked carefully by the participating Head Coaches before the game commences. Unfortunately, in this case, Coach Vincent did not review the game sheet carefully enough before affixing his signature to it.

Based on the above, the protest is allowed. The result of the game will be changed to show a forfeit on the part of BC. AMB will be refunded the protest deposit of $250. Under the circumstances, no fine will be issued to BC nor will Ms. Beattie be forced to serve a suspension.

Sincerely,

Bill Hendsbee
ACAC Commissioner