Game Sheet: LAKE Basketball

2021-22 Season

March 3, 2022 

Facts:

During a January 21, 2022 Women’s Basketball game against NAIT, Lakeland College listed 13 players on its game sheet and had 13 players dressed for the game (5 on the court and 8 on the bench, at all times during the game). Lakeland College confirms that one of its players (#4 Vachon) only took part in the warmup as she was not meant to play in the game and, in fact, did not enter the game.

Ruling:

Article I Section 13 Rule 1.2 of the ACAC Operating Code reads 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. (emphasis added)

In addition, Article I Section 5 Rule 1.4.4 reads as follows:

1.4.4. Minimum Participation for Use of One Year of Eligibility: A student-athlete who represents their institution in an intercollegiate competition for any period of time in one (1) league game, is considered to have used one (1) year of eligibility. The appearance of the student athlete’s name on a game sheet/report shall be interpreted as indicating participation in that game. All post-secondary institutions are considered under the term "intercollegiate." This does not include exhibition games. A student-athlete who is determined to be ineligible after participating in an intercollegiate competition or league game will still be considered to have used one (1) year of eligibility. (Amended August, 2019)(emphasis added)

Based on the above, Lakeland College is in violation of Rule 1.2 above by allowing 13 players to “participate” in the January 21, 2022 game.

Article I Section 6 Rule 10.1 provides the Commissioner with broad discretion on sanction in the event of a breach of the rules of eligibility. In this case, I conclude that this breach was inadvertent and the result (a Lakeland College victory) will stand. However, Lakeland College is hereby fined $500 for the violation, payable forthwith to the ACAC Office.

Sincerely,

Bill Hendsbee 
ACAC Commissioner