Forfeiture: NAIT Basketball - Marcus Bennett |
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Eligibility Ruling
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2008-09 SeasonFebruary 11, 2009 NAIT Men’s Basketball, Marcus Bennett - Marcus Bennett is a member of the NAIT Men’s Basketball team. He was a full time student during the Fall of 2008 and competed for the team. He has also been registered as a full time student since January of 2009 and played in eight (8) games for NAIT until a question of his eligibility was raised by Craig Wilsman of King’s on February 9, 2009. NAIT had received word unofficially on February 6 that there was a concern over Mr. Bennett’s eligibility and elected to have him sit out last weekend’s games. Commissioner B. Hendsbee has reviewed the ACAC Player Eligibility Form and the Supplemental Eligibility Form submitted by NAIT in relation to its Men’s Basketball team. He also received input from Linda Henderson of NAIT. Based on his review, it is clear that Mr. Bennett was listed on the Player Eligibility Form submitted by NAIT in the Fall of 2008. Mr. Bennett’s Complete Date was listed as December, 2008. Based on Ms. Henderson’s submissions, NAIT had every intention of registering Mr. Bennett for the current semester. However, due to an internal communication breakdown at NAIT, Mr. Bennett’s name was not listed on the Supplemental Eligibility Form submitted by NAIT to the ACAC Office. It is clear that NAIT fully intended to register Mr. Bennett for the current semester but for the internal communication breakdown that occurred and was operating under the mistaken assumption that Mr. Bennett was properly registered. It is also clear that Mr. Bennett was otherwise eligible to compete for NAIT had he been properly registered. However, the fact is that Mr. Bennett was not listed on NAIT’s Supplemental Eligibility Form during the eight (8) games in question and was, therefore, ineligible to compete. Article I Section 5 Rule 10.1 of the ACAC Operating Code deals with the effects of using an ineligible athlete. It is worded as follows: Where it has been determined that a member college is in violation of the rules of eligibility and has used an ineligible athlete, the college will forfeit the results of all those contests, competitions or matches in which the athlete has been recorded as an eligible player on a game sheet or registration form. The forfeit will be recorded as per the rules governing each sport. Although Mr. Bennett competed in eight (8) games during January of 2009, while ineligible, NAIT lost three (3) of those games and forfeited two (2) others due to the ineligibility of another student-athlete. Therefore, the ACAC Office shall adjust the results of the following NAIT victories to reflect forfeits by NAIT:
In addition to the above, a $500 fine shall be payable by NAIT forthwith. Bill Hendsbee |
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