Hamilton, ON - Ontario University Athletics (OUA) announced today that the University of Windsor Lancers mens hockey team have disclosed they were unknowingly used an ineligible player for one game. Mr. David Halliwills participation was in violation of Rule 40.10.4.3.2 of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Eligibility Policy, which states that any athlete who has completed their eligibility within another post-secondary jurisdiction is ineligible for CIS competition.
Mr. Halliwill was a member of the University of Alabama-Huntsville mens hockey team from 1999-2003, competing in three full seasons and part of a fourth, and thus had completed his four years of eligibility allowed in the NCAA. This made him ineligible to compete for the Lancers.
As a result, the Lancers have forfeited the game in question, a 5-5 tie with the Lakehead University Thunderwolves on January 17, 2004. As the non-offending team, Lakehead will receive the two points normally awarded to the winner. The official score recorded will be the minimum winning score for a hockey competition (1-0). All other statistics from such contests will remain valid, except for those of the ineligible player. Because of the forfeit Lakehead's record now stands at 15-3-1 in OUA play and 22-5-2 overall. Windsor's record drops to 6-13 in OUA play.
We would like to extend our apologies to the CIS, OUA, and Lakehead University, said University of Windsor Athletic Director Gord Grace. This was an administrative oversight that we are responsible for and wanted to correct immediately.
CIS is also reviewing the matter and will determine what other sanctions, if any, will be imposed, above and beyond the OUA sanctions. Once concluded, the result of the CIS process will be posted on the CIS corporate site.