By Michael V. Hannigan
Trinity Valley Community College announced Friday that the NJCAA has effectively erased the 2013 Cardinal football season in response to a self-reported eligibility violation.
The announcement came just one day before the Cards are scheduled to open their 2014 campaign against Tyler Junior College at Bruce Field.
The announcement, posted on the college website, reads:
In response to a self-reported player eligibility issue, the National Junior College Athletic Association has notified Trinity Valley Community College the football team must vacate all wins from the 2013 season. An appeal of the NJCAA ruling is being planned.
The Cardinals went 10-2 and claimed SWJCFC, regional and bowl championships in 2013. Per the NJCAA ruling, the college will vacate the bowl championship. The NJCAA does not have jurisdiction over conference/regional issues.
A TVCC spokesman declined to comment further on the issue at this time.
Calls to the NJCAA national office in Colorado Springs, Colo. went unanswered because the office is closed for the Labor Day holiday.
Basketball Violation
While TVCC’s statement does not specifically say the violation was connected to football, that is the most likely scenario. If that is true, then this is at least the second time TVCC has self-reported violations of the athletic program to the NJCAA this year.
In April of this year, TVCC President Glendon Forgey sent a letter to the NJCAA reporting that an assistant coach on the men’s basketball team had allowed student athletes to use his car. The assistant coach lost his job over the issue.
As a result of that violation, Forgey told the NJCAA:
- The job descriptions for all coaches, assistant coaches, coaching assistants, and other athletic staff members will be revised to include the requirement that the employee will comply with NJCAA rules and regulations;
- All coaches, assistant coaches, coaching assistants, and other athletic staff members will be required to pass an annual test on NJCAA rules and regulations;
- The information provided to student athletes as to what can and cannot be received in the way of assistance will be enhanced.
“It is the objective of TVCC to have the highest integrity in its athletic programs and to fully comply with all NJCAA rules and regulations. TVCC regrets that the violation occurred and is of the opinion that the actions taken will prevent the reoccurrence of such violations,” Forgey wrote.
In her response, NJCAA Executive Director Mary Ellen Leicht wrote, “The NJCAA commends the college for recognizing and reporting this infraction, as well as the steps taken to prevent this situation from happening in the future. Due to the serious nature of the violation, however, this letter will act as a formal reprimand to the TVCC men’s basketball program.”
“In addition, should any additional violations occur within the athletic program during the 2014-2015 academic year, all previous infractions will be taken into consideration and the TVCC athletic program as a whole will be reviewed,” she added.
—
Updated at 5:20 p.m. with complete story.