Linemen Matt Vonk and Steve Ples cannot play at Wilfrid Laurier and they cannot play for any other team in 2011, including the Waterloo Warriors. The CIS ruled yesterday that the players did not meet its eligibility requirements for 2011.
The Skinny:
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[*]the 2 were among 7 Warrior players to transfer to Laurier after the team suspension in 2010
[*]the 2 were ‘visiting students’ at Laurier, meaning they could take credits at Laurier that could be applied to their degrees at Waterloo
[*]the players did not meet the minimum course requirement to be eligible to play at Laurier in 2011
[*]the players are not eligible to play for Waterloo in 2011 due to CIS transfer rules
[*]the CIS had waived the requirement to sit out after the Warrior team suspension, therefore making them eligible to play right away with Laurier in 2010
[*]the CIS did not respond to a letter written by Waterloo Athletic Director Bob Copeland in the summer asking to clarify the scenario if any Warrior players wished to return to Waterloo in 2011
[*]Peter Baxter, Laurier AD, told the Kitchener Record that the CIS has shown “no compassion” toward the student-athletes it serves
[*]Gary Jeffries, Laurier head football coach, told the Kitchener record: “They’ve had their hearts ripped out again. How many times can you do that to a person?”
[*]as always, there is probably more to this story…but what is your take?
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Is there fault to be blamed? If so, who’s fault is it? CIS? Laurier? Waterloo? the players?
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