Following the Section II Athletic Council’s approval to ban the entire La Salle Institute athletic program from the postseason next school year for multiple rules violations, the school’s president, Dr. Kevin Calacone, said La Salle will appeal the decision.

Thursday, the Section II Executive Committee and Athletic Council determined La Salle violated the 10-practice rule by playing in a scrimmage on March 22nd after completing five practices while in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. . The New York State Public High School Athlete Association regulations require teams have 10 practices before playing in a scrimmage or contest.

“The rule that we’re accused of violating is not clearly written,” Dr. Calacone told NewsChannel 13 Friday. “There seems to be an misinterpretation and a misunderstanding. And we seek to clarify that and set the record straight, and appeal to NYSPHAA for their impact and their decision on this. A decision that impacts 290 student athletes in such a serious way requires a lot of consideration. And in this situation, we don’t believe we violated any of NYSPHAA’s rules.”

The varsity baseball team is still eligible to play in the upcoming sectional tournament, however, assistant coach Mark Powell will take over as head coach.

The punishment will not end with a postseason ban this season. The Section II Executive Committee and Athletic Council voted 20-1 to suspend all La Salle’s sports teams from the postseason next school year.

According to a statement from Section II Athletics, the decision was reached in response to this most recent violation and others dating back to 2022 involving the football, soccer, and basketball teams.

This is La Salle’s seventh documented rules violation since 2014, and fifth since 2022. The school remains on probation through October 2027 for past violations committed.