The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) has denied the Lakeland College Rustlers women’s basketball team’s Manifest Hardship application.
The news was made official in an ACAC press release on Jan. 27 after conference council held specials meetings on Jan. 17 and Jan. 23 to review the application.
As defined by the ACAC Operating Code, Manifest Hardship is invoked when an institution cannot meet its schedule commitments due to an act of God or other circumstances beyond its control.
“As a result, Lakeland College is considered to have forfeited participation in the 2024-25 ACAC Women’s Basketball season, effective Nov. 29-30, 2024,” read the release.
The release also stated “the withdrawal follows significant changes within the Rustlers women’s basketball program, including the removal of the head coach of Dec. 5, 2024.”
The release was the first communication from the ACAC since the firing of long-time championship coach Chris King, whose players refused to play for anyone but King after Lakeland College put him on administrative leave on Nov. 28, 2024.
The ACAC’s decision means the college must pay a $500 fine per game missed this year for a total of $6,000. It also means King’s players don’t get back the eligibility they lost through the ordeal.
The ACAC also stated “To minimize the impact of this withdrawal on other programs, the ACAC has determined the following. Results from Lakeland College Women’s Basketball games will remain in league standings. Any forfeited games will be recorded as 2-0 losses against Lakeland College. Statistics recorded from completed Lakeland College games will remain in place. Adjustments to start times for Lakeland College men’s basketball games will be posted on the ACAC website.”
Rustlers men’s basketball home games will now be played at 7 p.m. instead of 8 p.m.
ACAC CEO, Mark Kosak, responded to the Meridian Source after multiple attempts to communicate.
When asked about the situation at Lakeland College, Kosak said “Everyone wants the ACAC to step in and expose a scandal at Lakeland. I don’t have the authority to step in and tell them to reverse the ruling. I know Chris (King) and think highly of him.”
When it comes to player eligibility, Kosak explained Lakeland College has options.
“Lakeland implied something would be coming down the road. They need to get their information together on that. We are waiting for someone to step forward and tell us they want to do something about it,” he said.
“The door is never closed on anything, but there’s no obvious pathway in our rules to grant eligibility back in situations like this. It’s a highly unusual situation. We have not been presented for a request for eligibility to be reinstated.”
If you’re new to the Chris King story, we encourage you to read past articles on the matter. Find links here: Investigation ruins Rustlers record, Rustlers release coach Chris King, Rustlers respond after firing coach King, Rustlers players speak on coach’s firing, Rustlers officially forfeit season, Rustlers complainant signs with new team
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