York volleyball player deemed ineligible, Ottawa to host OUA Final Four

HAMILTON, Ont. – The Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Eligibility Committee has officially ruled on a violation by York University.

York self-disclosed the participation of an ineligible women’s volleyball student-athlete in its February 18 quarter-final playoff game versus RMC. The self-disclosure was preceded by a review and confirmation by the Committee regarding the application of CIS rules to the athlete in question. 

York acknowledges an oversight with respect to the CIS regulation requiring an athlete to have been eligible for at least one regular season game in order to be eligible for participation in the regional association playoffs. As a transfer student who was required to sit-out one year from her last participation at another CIS institution, the athlete in question missed being eligible for the regular season by two days, and therefore was deemed ineligible for playoff participation.

As a result, Ontario University Athletics (OUA) imposed a sanction of forfeiture by York, and RMC has been awarded a 3-0 win. The RMC Paladins will now compete in the OUA Final Four championship. The York Lions had finished first in OUA standings, and were set to host the Final Four. These hosting privileges are now void.

Consequently, as the next highest seed, Ottawa will host the OUA Final Four women’s volleyball championship from February 25-26. Due to the re-seeding, the Toronto Varsity Blues will play the Queen’s Gaels in a semifinal at 12 p.m., and the Ottawa Gee-Gees and RMC Paladins will go head to head in the second semifinal at 3 p.m. The bronze medal and championship games are scheduled for noon and 3 p.m. respectively, on Sunday, February 26.

York has exercised their right to appeal the OUA sanction of forfeiture. The sanction shall remain in full force and effect until, and unless, the decision is altered by the OUA Appeals Committee.

– OUA –

For more information, please contact:
Ward Dilse
Executive Director
Ontario University Athletics
ward.dilse@oua.ca
905-540-5151