The RSEQ made amends by considerably reducing the sanctions imposed on the Condors of Beauce-Appalaches following the destruction of the Bol d’Or.
• Read also: Destruction of the Bol d’Or: “young people branded with a red iron”, say the parents of the Condors
• Read also: Destruction of the Bol d’or: why not $100,000, for that matter?
• Read also: Destruction of the Bol d’Or: the sanctions fall
The Condors’ decision to appeal the December 7 decision of the RSEQ board of directors has got things moving. “During a meeting on January 9, we obtained additional information which is not of public order because some individuals are minors, but which were decisive in our decision, explained the director general of the RSEQ Gustave Roel. There was a special board meeting on Thursday to ease the sanctions and amend the decision of December 7.
The only penalties that remain are a $10,000 fine to the institution, the costs of making a new trophy that will be passed on to the players and a two-year probation period during which the football program will have to show its credentials. . This probation means that the RSEQ will consider the first incident in the event of sanctions if a second occurs. Players and coaches will also have to take a two-and-a-half-hour RSEQ ethics course by the end of the winter session.
Reductions
The witch hunt to determine the identity of the culprits when all the players have been sanctioned by the cegep is abandoned, as is the exclusion from the series and the impossibility of offering letters of intent to recruits.
“We have found neutral ground to identify a solution,” Roel said. We wanted measures of reparation and not of punishment, but it was more punitive measures during the initial sanctions. Because it was a first, we wanted to draw a model and an example in order to send a message.
Was the RSEQ aware of the dangers that awaited the Condors program if the initial sanctions had been applied? The program was on life support in 2018 when the Beauce institution decided to inject large sums into a team that was once the pride of Beauce.
“We had opted for severe sanctions and we were very aware of the impacts, assured the deg of the RSEQ. We were comfortable defending our decision before the appeal committee. Our pitch was ready, but we are very happy with the outcome.”
New excuses
The leaders of Cegep Beauce-Appalaches have once once more apologized for the regrettable incidents that occurred on the night of November 19 during celebrations marking the victory of the Condors.
“We recognize that we have tarnished the image of the cegep and the RSEQ and we want to reiterate our apologies to the members,” said director general Caroline Bouchard. In a regional cegep, sport makes a very big difference in the decision of young people to continue their studies or not. However, it remains a privilege to wear the colors of the Condors and not a right. We are satisfied with the decision which puts an end to a regrettable event.”
At the front since the start of the incidents, Jean-Philippe Vachon was happy with the outcome. “This is good news and there is no one winning or losing,” said the director of studies and student life. Finding the culprits was very complicated and still to this day we do not have the information. We felt that the internal sanctions were sufficient and that pointing fingers at young people was a very delicate position.
“We will ensure that such incidents do not happen once more, added Mr. Vachon. We need irreproachable conduct.”
The Condors find the tools to recruit
Marc Loranger is a relieved coach.
The veteran coach feared for the sustainability of the Condors football program if the RSEQ maintained the bludgeoning sanctions imposed by its board of directors on December 7.
“It wouldn’t have been good for anyone to harm a program in such a way that it might disappear,” he said. It is not healthy to jeopardize a football program and it was one of my worries to see it disappear. There is a need in Beauce for our program.”
Loranger and his deputies can now recruit without having their hands tied. They can offer letters of intent and finally know in which division they will play.
“We now know what to say to the young people we recruit, he summed up. We didn’t know who we were. The local players were waiting to see which division we were going to play in before committing ourselves. It was a major factor. The young people who hesitated before committing themselves to our place have fortunately not yet made their decision. It’s always a long process.”
Recruitment resumes on January 15 following the holiday break.
“The decision had to come out now and not wait a week or two,” he said. I knew that the RSEQ evaluation committee recommended 100 percent our promotion to Division 2, but I did not say so. Until the news is announced, you never know what can happen.
This promotion to Division 2 is timely for the Condors who have won the last two editions of the Bol d’Or in Division 3 and are riding a streak of 22 consecutive victories. “Our promotion will allow greater retention of Beauce players,” said the veteran coach. I often heard young people say that we won too easily and that they looked elsewhere. We find ourselves in the right place.”
Accustomed to reigning supreme over their opponents over the past two seasons, Loranger is aware of the challenge facing his troop. “It’s going to be demanding, but stimulating,” he said. It’s only positive. With the 2022 team, we would have made the playoffs. Very good players will be back, the youngest will have to contribute and the recruitment will have an impact.
Despite the significant departures of players who graduated in the university ranks, Loranger is confident that the Beaucerons will be competitive, which they were not in 2018 when he took the reins of the team.
“We are a much superior program compared to 2018 when I arrived at Saint-Georges and I have nothing to do with it. The college has invested significant sums and we are now one of the best programs in Quebec, regardless of division.”
