Source: Shawn MacDonald, Queen's Sports Information Officer
HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics announced today that the Queen's University football team will forfeit the results of their first two games in the 2014 regular season due to the participation of an ineligible player.
The eligibility violation was verified today and Queen's immediately reported it to the CIS and OUA. The cause was academic ineligibility of a single player. The violation is categorized as a Level 2 infraction in the CIS eligibility policies and results in a series of automatic sanctions, including a forfeiture of league games in which the player participated, monetary fines, probation, a comprehensive review and the possibility of other discretionary sanctions.
"We are profoundly disappointed for our team, our student-athletes and program staff," says Leslie Dal Cin, Director, Athletics & Recreation, Queen's University. "We regret very much that this has happened, and the impact it will have on our team. We are committed to supporting the team moving forward and complying with the sanctions as defined by the CIS and OUA."
The team's win against Windsor on Sept. 1st will be removed and will now stand as a loss with the score of 1-0. The Sept. 6 game score in Queen's loss against Ottawa (30-37) stands. All team and player statistics remain in place with the exception of the ineligible player who will not be able to play for the rest of the season. Queen's postseason eligibility is not affected.
"This is a very unfortunate situation, and the players are obviously disappointed," says Head Coach Pat Sheahan. "But we stand together as a team and we will put this behind us and focus on the games ahead."
Queen's Athletics & Recreation continually checks the eligibility of 1,000 athletes each year and has done so for more than 15 years with no previous eligibility infractions. The Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs has initiated a review of the Department's eligibility processes.
Director, Athletics & Recreation, Leslie Dal Cin will be available to the media Sept. 10 between 6:00-7:00pm by phone. Please contact Shawn MacDonald to coordinate an interview.
Head coach Pat Sheahan will be available to the media on Thursday, September 11 to discuss the upcoming Queen's Football game against the Western Mustangs. The availability will take place beginning at noon in the Alumni Lounge at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (284 Earl St.) on Queen's campus.