Penalties Handed Down For Recruitment Violation

Sanctions have been handed down against St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kenora by the Northwestern Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association.
They relate to a recruitment violation by the coaches of the Junior Boys Basketball team.
NorWOSSA President Mike Lalonde says motions were put forward by member school representatives and they were approved in an unanimous vote on November 17th.
Lalonde says they looked at other policies from Association’s in Ontario and Manitoba when making their final decision.
Lalonde adds the executive requested face to face interviews with those involved but St. Thomas declined.
The executive continued to investigate through e-mail correspondence.
Lalonde notes the school had been previously sanctioned for a similar recruiting violation.
The sanctions against the team disqualify the Saints junior boys from the NorWOSSA championships.
They will also effect the coach and will put some limitations on the athletic department.
Lalonde says there is an appeal process and notes he’s working with the school.
He says he’s just waiting for the school to inform him on what route they want to follow.