Brian Rosener is the keeper of the Semoball Cup which is presented to the school with the most successful season. It is based on a formula that takes into account the combined winning percentage of all sports teams plus bonus points for advancement in postseason play for both teams and individuals. The bonus points are divided by the number of teams a school fields. Rosener has been the sports editor for the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff, Mo. since December 2001. He was born and raised in St. Louis, where he attended Lindbergh High School and Webster University. He is married to Jennifer, a Poplar Bluff native, has a son Jack and a dog named Satchel who stands in for his @semoballBrian photo.

NJCAA rejects TRCC appeal

Posted Saturday, September 26, 2009, at 4:20 PM

Three Rivers Community College received word from the National Junior College Athletic Association on the college's appeal that the men's basketball program will lose six scholarships for two years starting next season and the athletic program has a whole will undergo an audit.

In a letter dated Sept. 10, NJCAA Executive Committee President Art Becker writes:

"By unanimous vote the committee has voted to deny the appeal, in effect to retain the orginial ruling of the NJCAA National Office.

While some of the decisions made by the TRCC Booster Club may be humanitarian in nature, they exceed the limits of aid which are allowable in accordance with NJCAA bylaws."

You can read about the original ruling in this previous post.

Here's a look at Tim Krakowiak's story, which runs in Sunday's DAR, from a TRCC Board of Trustees meeting Friday:

(Dr. Devin Stephenson, Three Rivers president) stated that the NJCAA executive committee denied an appeal made by the community college in August declaring that the Three Rivers Booster Club did not commit a transportation violation pertaining to a student athlete.

The Three Rivers men's basketball team has been penalized for allegedly violating NJCAA sanctions and will face losing six scholarships for two years, starting next season.

The Three Rivers board decided to take the final step in the appeal process and file for arbitration under section four of the NJCAA bylaws.

"I think we should pursue it," said (Trustee Randy) Winston. "I don't think they gave it (more than) a passing glance."

Winston suggested that the NJCAA based its ruling on an article that was printed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on July 19 that scrutinized the booster club based on findings from a draft of the state audit that someone apparently leaked to the newspaper.

The article contained multiple inaccuracies, according to Winston, and if the NJCAA had based its decisions on the final audit released July 20, NJCAA officials would see that the harsh penalty is unwarranted.

Hiring an arbitrator may be costly, Stephenson noted. (Trustee Marion) Tibbs said that the booster club probably would not be allowed to foot the bill. (Trustee Bill) Hollida suggested that the Three Rivers Foundation could fund it. Instead the board agreed that they would solicit outside donors.

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Great article! I find this topic extremely interesting. I love reading articles about this topic.

I have also read the articles by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I thought the articles written by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch were slightly biased. However, I think the audit proves infractions were committed.

It seems unlikely the NJCAA would base their decision on a news article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I am unfamiliar with the NJCAA review process. However, it appears Three Rivers may be attempting to convince their faithful supporters they did not commit infractions by blaming others. I am confident sufficient evidence exists to impose the penalties. If an arbitrator proves me wrong I'll give Winston credit.

-- Posted by drawmules on Sat, Sep 26, 2009, at 10:30 PM
I am not really sure what going to arbitration is going to prove. The only point of appeal TRCC made was the purchase of a single airplane ticket for a basketball player. By only appealing this one issue, they essentially accepted the other violations (payment for players insurance, payment for tuition at other institutions) as being true. By going to arbitration, they are attempting to try to prove that their appeal (the plane ticket) was not against NJCAA by-laws. Even if arbitration rules in favor of TRCC, it is not going to change the rulings on the other violations. Those other violations were more severe and factored into the punishment more so than did the single plane ticket. It is highly improbable that even if arbitration finds TRCC to not be at fault in regards to the airplane ticket, that those 6 scholarships will be reinstated. It seems like a a waste of time and resources to pursue vindication on an insignificant issue. It would be better to just accept the punishment, fix the problem, and move on.

-- Posted by Crash Davis on Mon, Sep 28, 2009, at 8:35 PM

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