Helena-MT. Carroll College Athletic Director Bruce Parker has announced that this Saturday’s November 29th NAIA Football Championship Series contest between Carroll College and Northwestern Oklahoma State has been cancelled. Parker was informed this afternoon by Jim Carr, President and CEO of the NAIA, that Northwestern Oklahoma has been forced to forfeit the contest due to the use of ineligible players.

“I am disappointed for our football program and the Saints’ fans that were looking forward to this tremendous matchup.” Parker said. “I am even more heartbroken for the players, and coaches, and fans at Northwestern Oklahoma for this unfortunate and inadvertent situation. I commend their administration for the handling of this incident and the self-reporting on their part.”

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) issued a formal statement today that Northwestern Oklahoma University’s football program has forfeited its win against Friends (Kan.) University on November 22. Earlier today Northwestern Oklahoma officials made the Association aware of a violation that under NAIA rules eliminates the football program from continuing to compete in the 2008 NAIA Football Championship Series.

“It is our understanding that earlier today Northwestern Oklahoma’s internal monitoring system detected a violation of NAIA rules and once learning of the violation the administration immediately contacted NAIA officials,” said Jim Carr, “I know this is a difficult time for the administration, coaches and players but would like to recognize the integrity of the university’s administration for taking responsibility to do what was right. The NAIA and the National Eligibility Committee will work with Northwestern Oklahoma officials to ensure all proper safeguards are in place for future competition.”

Any additional sanctions will be determined by the National Eligibility Committee after it reviews Northwestern Oklahoma’s report.

Dr. Janet Cunningham, president of Northwestern Oklahoma issued the following statement regarding today’s event.

“Our university community is saddened and embarrassed by the actions we were forced to take today, but we will never compromise the integrity of this university,” said Cunningham. “Everyone at Northwestern is accountable for ensuring that we follow NAIA rules and institutional policy to the letter.

“On behalf of Northwestern, I want to apologize to our fans and to all of the members of the university community. I also want to convey my apologies to the coaches, players and fans of Bacone College and Texas College, and especially to the coaches and young men at Friends University, who were denied an opportunity to continue playing in the post-season.

“I also feel for our players and coaches who will not be allowed to continue their season. They have worked very hard to get to this point but I am confident they understand that we are doing the right thing,” added Dr. Cunningham.

Parker also announced the forfeit victory will automatically move the Saints into next week’s NAIA Football Championship Series Semifinal round, which will be held at noon on December 6th, in Nelson Stadium. Carroll’s next opponent will be announced Sunday morning November 30th, by the NAIA.

“We sold a tremendous amount of tickets for the quarterfinal game and we will honor those tickets for next week’s semifinal round,” Parker said.

Saints’ fans that are unable to attend next weekend’s semifinal will be issued a refund, however all refund requests must be made by noon on Tuesday, December 2nd, at the Carroll Ticket office, which is located in the Carroll PE Center. The ticket office will be closed for the remainder of this week and reopen on Monday, December 1st, at 7:30am.

For any additional ticket information contact Jennifer Bingham at 447-4480