NIAA removes Fallon softball from regional tournament after declaring players ineligible

By Robert Perea

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association has removed the Churchill County High School softball team from the Northern 3A Regional Tournament bracket after it declared two players ineligible.

In a statement released May 6, the Churchill County School District said NIAA officials notified CCHS on May 5 that it removed the team from the tournament bracket and the team will be required to forfeit all games the ineligible players participated in this season.

Fallon was scheduled to play Truckee Thursday morning, but was replaced in the bracket by Debbie Smith Academy, which Fallon beat in a best-of-3 series on May 1 to begin the Northern 3A playoffs.

NIAA Executive Director Timothy Jackson, in a May 1 statement addressing the removal of two teams from the Southern 5A baseball bracket, said "Consistent with established practice and precedent, when teams are no longer eligible to advance in the postseason, they are removed from the bracket, and their opponents advance.”

CCHS and the school district advocated for a reconsideration of the NIAA’s ruling. NIAA had previously determined the players were eligible, but reversed that determination on May 5, saying players were ruled ineligible based on falsified records provided by family. NIAA informed the school district that there is no appeal process regarding eligibility decisions.

The district said the eligibility determination was unrelated to any actions by the school or its staff. 

“They acted in accordance with the information they were provided, which indicated the players were eligible, and there was no reason to believe otherwise,” the district said in the statement. “This is a disappointing outcome for our school and our community. We want to recognize our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication throughout the season. We are confident that they will return stronger next season and continue to find success in their softball endeavors. We remain proud of their efforts, dedication, and accomplishments throughout the season and will continue to support them moving forward.”