Despite claims to the contrary, there was no ambiguity in the OUA’s decision to disqualify York
Way
ne Hudson
Sports & Health Editor
@WayneaHudson
Despite claims made by York parties, the OUA did not overrule a decision previously made by the CIS regarding York’s women’s volleyball team playoff decision.
Those claims are invalid, says OUA executive Ward Dilse. The sanctions for ineligible athletes are done both at the CIS level and the OUA level. “The CIS determines one sanction, and the OUA deals with the other sanctions. In our jurisdiction, OUA is the overall sanctioning body and our rules are very clear.”
Determining athletes’ eligibility is CIS jurisdiction. Once there had been official confirmation that Michelle Pierce was actually ineligible, the OUA stepped in to apply the necessary sanction. The CIS may have speculated on the matter before it was transferred over to the OUA Committee, but it was irrelevant.
“No matter what the reason, it is an automatic forfeiture for the team who has violated the sanction.”
York coaches claim that before enlisting Michelle Pierce to play in the quarter-final game against the RMC Paladins, they reviewed numerous league rules that acknowledged Pierce to be eligible. Dilse says that although that may have been their interpretation, it was false.
Nevertheless, the decision to play Pierce was made between the players, coaching staff, and Pierce herself. With no foul play intended, the York Lions wanted the team to succeed.
The York women’s volleyball team prepares for next season. Lamenting the unchanged disqualification dscision, the team still looks forward to next season.
