GENESEO, N.Y. — The SUNY Geneseo men’s hockey team won’t be making any trips to the NCAA’s this year.

The NCAA Division III Committee, along with SUNYAC Commissioner Dr. Patrick Damore have slapped the Ice Knights’ hockey program with a one-year post-season suspension because of a recent violation that was found regarding the misuse of financial aid help to some of the student-athletes.

The probation runs from Jan. 28, 2010 through Jan. 27, 2012, but will affect only this year’s post-season play.

“Geneseo and Buffalo State will both be ineligible for post-season play this year,” said Damore. “ It’s just for this year. Next year, they will be eligible.”

Geneseo is 9-10-1 on the season and was currently in the mix for a NCAA berth, but not any longer.

The violation was a direct result of the Canadian Student Initiative, a funding which was created in 2001 and meant to increase the international student population at SUNY schools.

The post-season ban for both Geneseo was primarily in hockey dealing with student-athletes that had been awarded special grants for students from Canada. Both Buffalo State and SUNY Geneseo had awarded grants almost exclusively to student-athletes, particularly those in men’s and women’s ice hockey. In a statement released by SUNY Geneseo President Christopher C. Dahl, he states, “Since joining NCAA Division III in 1980, Geneseo has achieved an exemplary record of compliance. While I am disappointed in the NCAA’s announcement in connection with a financial aid rules violation, I am pleased with the thorough research conducted in response to the association’s inquiries.”

The sanctions were self-imposed and were also unintentional said Dahl.

Effective immediately, any of Geneseo’s athletics teams whose rosters include one or more student-athletes receiving Canadian grants shall end their seasons with the playing of their last regular-season contest and will not be eligible to participate in any post-season competition, including conference tournaments and NCAA championships. Further, any affected teams will not be eligible for regular-season conference championship consideration as long as their rosters include student-athletes receiving Canadian grants.

“Going forward, we have a clearer understanding of the NCAA’s expectations, and we will be even more diligent in monitoring our financial aid data,” said Dahl.

See complete story in our Feb. 4 print edition.

Tagged as: NCAA, SUNY Geneseo