RYERSON MEN’S SOCCER SELF-DISCLOSES INELIGIBLE PLAYER

Hamilton, Ontario – Ontario University Athletics announced today that Ryerson University men's soccer team has disclosed they unknowingly used an ineligible player and will forfeit the results of their first six games in the 2017 season.

The eligibility violation was verified by Ryerson Athletics and immediately reported to the OUA and U SPORTS. The cause was academic ineligibility of a single player, who failed to meet the academic requirements to be considered an active member of the team. This was discovered during a routine review of student-athletes' academic performance for the athletic scholarship program. It is very important to Ryerson Athletics to maintain the integrity and transparency of both their program and the conference.  

As a result of fielding an ineligible player, the Ryerson Rams will forfeit their first six games of the season. The team's wins on August 26, August 27, September 1, September 9, and September 10 will be removed and will now stand as a loss with the score of 1-0, as does the tie earned on September 2. Results from this past weekend – wins over Carleton and UOIT on September 16 and 17 will remain as victories, leaving the Rams with a 2-6-0 record. All team and player statistics remain in place apart from the ineligible player who will not be able to play for the remainder of the season.  The team's postseason eligibility is not affected.

Academic performance is a top priority for our athletics program. Everyone from coaches to counsellors to coordinators are responsible for monitoring and reporting on academic performance. In this instance, there was an oversight in the reporting and monitoring process. This is an important opportunity for us to review our protocols and add additional training procedures to ensure a situation like this does not happen again.

"We are focused on looking towards the future and focusing on the remainder of the season."

Media inquiries
Zandra Alexander
Media Relations Officer, Public Affairs
Office: 416-979-5000 ext. 4282
zandra.alexander@ryerson.ca 

Andrea Elliott
Sports Information Specialist
Ryerson University Athletics
andrea.elliott@ryerson.ca