Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Eligibility Committee - Compassionate Appeal Hearing – May 20, 2015
IN THE MATTER of an appeal on eligibility pursuant to Rule 40.10.3.3.4
By Daniel Milne, student-athlete at McGill University
Participants
Ms. Caroline James, Eligibility Officer, McGill University
Mr. Kelly Nobes, men’s hockey Head Coach, McGill University
Mr. Daniel Milne, student-athlete, McGill University
Issue
Daniel Milne (Daniel) seeks relief of CIS regulations on compassionate grounds, specifically:
CIS Eligibility Policy 40.10.3.3.4 (academic standing)
Any student-athlete who is ineligible to compete in CIS competition because the athlete
is no longer a student in good standing, must successfully complete within an academic
year; three full courses, or six half courses, or eighteen semester hours at a recognized
post-secondary institution where courses are recognized for credit at the member
institution registering the CIS athlete. The student-athlete is eligible for participation
immediately upon successful completion of the above academic requirements.
Details
 Daniel attended the University of Michigan (NCAA) for the 2012 fall term and was assessed
one year of eligibility for his participation with the men’s hockey program.
 Daniel withdrew from the University of Michigan in January, 2013 because of the following:
o Acclimatization issues (distance from family);
o Academic issues (not accepted into Ross School of Business);
o The student-athlete experience was less than expected;
o Some promises expressed during the recruiting process were not realized;
o Other: the Associate Head Coach who recruited Daniel left before Daniel arrived.
 At the time of his withdrawal, Daniel was a student in good academic standing by the
standards of the University of Michigan, having completed 12 hours of credit in the Fall
Term of 2012. Had he delayed his repatriation and completed just 6 hours in the spring of
2013, this would not be an issue.
 From January 2013 until April 2015, Daniel interrupted his studies and played Major Junior
Hockey (CHL) in the Ontario Hockey League for the Owen Sound Attack; (technically he is
not transferring directly from the NCAA).
 Daniel initiated contact with the McGill hockey coach in January 2014 with a view of
continuing his academics and hockey.
 In April 2015, Daniel visited McGill University and was also accepted into the Desautels
School of Management.
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It was at this time Daniel became aware of the CIS Academic Standing Requirement and
began investigating possibilities to meet this condition.
Even had he known, Daniel would not have been able to meet the Academic Standing
Requirement condition of recognized for credit at the member institution while in Owen
Sound as there are no universities to attend in the vicinity and there is a restriction on the
transferability of on-line courses at the member institution.
On the basis of his personal circumstances, David requests relief of rule 40.10.3.3.4 and
hopes to become immediately eligible for the McGill University hockey team for the 20152016 season.
Decision & Rationale
Based upon a review of the documentation submitted and verbal presentations received, the
Committee considers a conditional waiver of the applicable regulation to be warranted in this
instance; specifically, there is a requirement to successfully complete courses prior to being
eligible to compete in CIS. Daniel can be eligible to compete in the Fall of 2015 pending the
successful completion of 6 credit hours in the 2015 summer term, or be eligible to compete in
the January 2016 term conditional on successfully completing 9 credit hours in the 2015 fall
term, subject to all other regulations.
The committee took into consideration the commitment that this student-athlete has made to
academics and the academic success that he has had in making this decision.
The appeal is conditionally supported.
Sandy Slavin (Chairperson)
Patrick Nearing (AUS)
Joey Sabo (RSEQ)
Chuck Mathies (OUA)
Ken Olynyk (CWUAA)
Decision rendered May 20, 2015
Written reasons rendered May 26, 2015