Arsenal Tech HC Damon Turner Suspended for Entirety of Tourney

   Arsenal Tech received devastating news Tuesday night from the Indiana High School Athletic Association. 

The Titans were able to sit back and prepare for their imperative sectional matchup against Lawrence Central last night. Unfortunately, less than 24 hours before the crucial matchup, the IHSAA made a calamitous announcement. Arsenal Tech’s head coach Damon Turner is to be suspended for the entirety of the IHSAA Tournament regarding a violation of the past-link rule.

The past-link rule prohibits a player from transferring to the same school as a coach that they have played for on a travel team within 365 days. Turner previously coached a multitude of players during the summer in an AAU Program. Per Kyle Neddenriep of the Indy Star, Commissioner Paul Neidig said “We learned that Tech had coaches who had coached some of the players on the team this past summer.” Despite the information being brought to the attention of the IHSAA multiple weeks ago, the decision was finalized last night. Controversy surrounds this decision with a multitude of our sources as well as spectators feeling it is wrong for this to be finalized so late in the year.

   On the subject of player consequences, Neidig ruled against suspending the players deeming it as unfair this late in the season. 

As the clock ticks closer to tip-off, Arsenal Tech will have two competitors tonight; Lawrence Central and themselves. Without having their head coach, the “prove it or go home” saying applies in every aspect. This game will test the true fight that the Titans encompass.