By Mitch Bach

Rattlers basketball players launch appeal regarding dismissal from team

Jan 24, 2019 | 2:40 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat College Rattlers have confirmed two players are appealing the team’s decision to cut them from the roster earlier this week.

Omon Edobar and Jusci Thompson were released from the men’s basketball team on Monday. Terry Ballard with Medicine Hat College says the decision stems from actions following the Rattlers loss to Red Deer College on Saturday.

Although Ballard would not discuss the incidents in detail, video shows Edobar aggressively arguing with an official following the game, while Thompson was seen shattering a window on a gym door after fouling out of the game.

“We call it a violation of the student athlete code of conduct,” said Terry Ballard. “We have a student-athlete handbook that clearly illustrates what the code of conduct is and what it isn’t, and what’s acceptable and what’s not. We have high expectations.

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“Due to those actions, we met with them early Monday morning…and we dismissed them from the men’s basketball program.”

Ballard says all student athletes are expected to follow the code of conduct, which covers appropriate behaviour for the athletes at home, on the road and in the community.

“When you put the jacket on, you’re not only representing the Rattlers Athletic Program, you’re representing the college, you’re representing the community you live in,” he said. “All of those things are stressed at the beginning of the year in our orientation, and the coaches do a great job throughout the year to stress those things as well.”

Ballard says the players have filed a notice in writing that they plan to appeal the decision, with a meeting set for Tuesday.

“They will have an opportunity to present how they feel, and their side of the case, and that they disagree with the decision to the committee,” he said. “The committee will likely ask them some questions, some clarification, and then the committee will reconvene to make a decision to them in writing after it’s all over.”