By John Kendall
IV Leader staff
Two IVCC volleyball players were dismissed from the team
and four others received suspensions after pictures of them at a party were
posted on a social Web site.
“I found out about the situation on Monday, Aug. 25 and was
very disappointed,” said Bob Marshall, vice-president of student services.
“The rules for the IVCC athletes are in the guidelines. They
are very clear and specify what is expected. It indicates what the penalties are
for violations and everything is set out in black and white,” he said.
The rules prohibit student athletes from drinking.
Marshall added that each athlete signs that they acknowledge
and abide by the rules set out.
“This is not the first instance of this type of situation
occurring in IVCC athletics,” he said.
According to the IVCC athletic code of conduct, which was
obtained by the IV Leader, “the policy for student-athletes will become
effective the first day of classes during the student-athlete’s first full-time
enrollment semester and will conclude upon the student’s graduation, completion
of the final semester of the student’s final semester of eligibility, or leaving
of the school.”
The code also notes that the policy is a minimum policy, and
each coach has the right to create or enforce other guidelines with approvals
from the athletic director.
Athletic director Tommy Canale also learned of the situation
late Monday, Aug. 25 and had a similar reaction as Marshall.
“The team will continue on as scheduled and those affected
have disciplines handed out accordingly to our policy,” stated Canale. “The
rules are spoken to by the coach of each sport along with an all-sport meeting
for all athletes held by the athletic director.”
First-time offenses of the policies result in a period of
games missed.
For volleyball, the penalty is seven games. Penalties also
included in a first-time offense include community service and the athlete
receiving a packet to help them make better choices.
Second level offenses include removal from the athletic team
and forfeiture of a player’s tuition waiver.
The two players who were removed from the team allegedly had
an offense that carried over from the 2007 volleyball season.
While Canale said that there would be no forfeits or
cancelations because of the infractions, the IVCC scheduled volleyball game on
Aug. 26 was canceled.
Marshall said that game was forfeited.
Members of the volleyball team have tried to recruit other
players to join the team or may serve their suspensions during different games
to possibly field a team.
The roster for the volleyball team on the IVCC Web site lists
11 players. If six members of the team are unable to play because of violations
of the athletic code of conduct, only five players would remain eligible.
Attempts to contact head volleyball coach Nicci Gibson were
unsuccessful.