The IAHSRA Discipline Committee has ruled that three individuals are responsible for the actions of April 27, 2012, during the Lincoln vs Newton game at DMACC that would, if unaddressed, affect rugby in a negative fashion. For the time periods identified, these three individuals may not (i) play for or represent their teams during IAHSRA tournaments or (ii) provide material assistance to their teams during IAHSRA tournaments. While these individuals may be present at a tournament venue (i.e. in the stadium), they may not be on or standing along the field of play (i.e. cannot be on the field or sidelines).

The individuals cited below may appeal the following rulings through the appeals process laid out by USA Rugby. The sanctioned individuals, their offenses, and the logic which will serve as precedent for future IAHSRA rulings is as follows:

Individual: LP1
Suspension Length: 9 Weeks
Team: Lincoln
Number: 76
Action: Directing towards the head and repeatedly striking an opponent in a defenseless position.
Video Location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDBpDIurL4g&t=9m19s
Rationale: The following suspension is based on USA Rugby sanctioning guidance for a first-time offender contained in Sections III(C)3(a) and III(C)3(b). IAHSRA accepts this USA Rugby guidance without modification.

Individual: LP2
Suspension Length: 3 Months
Team: Lincoln
Number: 71
Action: Entering the field of play without the approval of the referee during an altercation and assaulting an uninvolved player in a defenseless situation.
Video Location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDBpDIurL4g&t=9m24s
Rationale: The following suspension is based on USA Rugby sanctioning guidance for a first-time offender contained in Sections III(C)3(b). The IAHSRA accepts this USA Rugby guidance without modification. However, the IAHSRA Discipline Committee does have concerns that the fact LP2 entered the field of play with the apparent intent of assaulting an opponent may not be suitably accounted for by the minimum suspension time for this sanction alone. Therefore, LP2 will be subject to a suspension length near the maximum recommended.

Individual: LC1
Suspension Length: 3 Months
Team: Lincoln
Number: Coach
Action: Enabling an environment where LP2 entered the field of play without the approval of the referee during an altercation and assaulted an opponent.
Video Location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDBpDIurL4g&t=9m24s
Rationale: The Head Coach of any team is solely responsible for ensuring that an ethos of mutual respect and responsibility is being fostered within his or her team. This need for Coaches to be a calming and rational influence is amplified by the balance of aggression and sportsmanship required to safely play rugby at the High School level. Because the IAHSRA does not feel the USA Rugby Discipline Guidelines sufficiently address the needs of the High School game, the IAHSRA employed National Hockey League (NHL) Rule 70.10 with the intent that the Coach sanction should be equivalent to that player who violated rule 70.1 (i.e. Leaving the Bench). Therefore, LC1’s suspension is set to be of equivalent length to that of LP2.