Eligibility-MHC Basketball-Munoz |
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Eligibility Ruling
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2016-17 SeasonNovember 7, 2016Facts:Vince Munoz is a current MHC student and a member of the Rattlers Men’s Basketball team. He played for MHC during the 2015-16 season. Prior to joining MHC, Mr. Munoz played three (3) seasons in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC), one season with Canadian Mennonite University (2012-13)and two seasons with Red River College (2013-15). MHC is requesting that Mr. Munoz’s three (3) seasons in the MCAC not be counted against his ACAC eligibility. While I would normally paraphrase the reasons for such a request, in this case MHC has provided extensive written reasons supporting its request. Rather than attempt to summarize MHC’s argument, I have chosen to attach those submissions to the ruling. Ruling:The relevant portions of the ACAC Operating Code are outlined below. Article I Section 5 Rule 1.4 states as follows: 1.4. Years of Eligibility 1.4.1. A student shall have a maximum of five (5) years of eligibility in ACAC competition. Participation in any other college or university conference shall be considered equivalent to and deducted from the five years of ACAC eligibility with the exception of the following:
The use of years of eligibility shall be determined by the relevant governing conference. (Amended September, 2009) 1.4.1.1. Any previous year(s) of participation in a CCAA or non-CCAA sport in a recognized intercollegiate league (e.g. NAIA, NCAA, NJCAA, CIS, etc) that tracks and limits years of participation/eligibility, will be applied against the athlete’s five (5) years of eligibility. (added September, 2016) MHC suggests that the MCAC is not a legitimate conference within the CCAA. I can confirm that this is not the case. In fact, the ACAC recognizes the MCAC as a legitimate post-secondary sport league and this was the case at the time that Mr. Munoz participated within the MCAC. Based on the above, it is not necessary to respond to MHC’s assertion that the MCAC is a “local league” which is not qualified or competitive enough to match the standards of the ACAC, as well as MHC’s assertion that the MCAC league schedule is actually more akin to an exhibition schedule. Nonetheless, I would like to point out that a review of the MCAC archives for the years in which Mr. Munoz participated there reveals that in each of his three MCAC seasons the Conference held a full league schedule and a “Final 4” style playoffs which crowned a league champion. Granted, the Conference is much smaller than the ACAC but it is my opinion that Mr. Munoz participated in a “recognized intercollegiate league…that tracks and limits years of participation/eligibility”, as per Rule 1.4.1.1 above. Further, MHC asserts that Rule 1.4.1.1 should not apply to Mr. Munoz’s participation within the MCAC given that the rule was not enacted until 2016. This argument fails to take into account that Rule 1.4.1 was in effect at the relevant time. That rule is actually less stringent than Rule 1.4.1.1. In order for an athlete to consume eligibility, Rule 1.4.1 requires only that the athlete participate in any other college or university conference, with the use of eligibility determined by that conference. In this case, Mr. Munoz’s participation within the MCAC constituted participation in a “college or university conference,” thus satisfying Rule 1.4.1. In conclusion, I find that Mr. Munoz has consumed three (3) years of ACAC eligibility as a result of his participation within the MCAC. As a result, MHC’s request is denied. Sincerely, Bill Hendsbee |
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