Comments on: Putnam City self-reports violation of OSSAA rules

By: Ryan Aber

Ryan Aber — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 05:28:43 +0000

It’s not quite that easy. Just because a player doesn’t start doesn’t mean he doesn’t help determine the outcome of the game. This was a case of a player playing mop-up duty at the end of a game that wasn’t close.

And I’m not sure exactly when PC reported the issue to the OSSAA. It came out now because the issue is on the board agenda for next week. If the school reported it just after the tournament or even during, it wouldn’t have made the board agenda until this meeting.

There’s certainly an argument to be made to change that rule and eliminate discretion. And if it ever was going to change, I would imagine this would be the time to do it since we’ve seen the rule applied more this year than it ever has. I haven’t heard any serious discussion about changing this rule.

By: BJ Stone

BJ Stone — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:26:26 +0000

So if the coach wants to skirt the rule, don’t “START” the ineligible player and then insert them in the game. If you can’t make the grades then shouldn’t play the game. If the OSSAA wants to gain complete trust of its members, take the “insignificance” out of the ruling.
Self reported…when…it’s been almost a month since the season ended.
Bad call by the OSSAA. Just when it looked like things were beginning to change.

By: Ryan Aber

Ryan Aber — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:18:15 +0000

While there is certainly room to argue the rule, although I think, in general, it’s a good standard to have, the rule was applied the same in all of those cases (and several other cases involving the use of an ineligible player this year).

The OSSAA regularly examines playing time, with one of the standards being if a player starts who is ineligible, the game will be forfeited. This player played insignificant minutes at the end of an 18-point win. Putnam City basketball is likely to find itself on “warning” status for a year, meaning that any further violations would result in more severe actions against the program. If this winds up being an isolated incident, I don’t think a forfeit is called for.

I also think the fact that this was self-reported carries some weight. Most of the other investigations into the use of ineligible players involved tips being called into the OSSAA that the organization investigated.

By: BJ Stone

BJ Stone — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 04:08:11 +0000

How can you legislate significant factor. While I feel sorry for the player and PC’s team, the OSSAA’s jurisdiction to deem significance reeks of favoritism. Sand Springs had to forfeit its win because of an ineligible player “started” the game. Booker T Washington was forced to forfeit its football games because of academically ineligible players, and now the OSSAA is going to look the other way? Either the player is eligible or he isn’t, how much time the player participated should NOT make a difference. This type of decision making only weakens the faith OSSAA member schools will have in their organization. Oversight or intentional intent to disregard the rules of eligibility by Putnam City should NOT excuse the violation. Bad Call OSSAA.