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Two players dropped for violating team code

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.