The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference is changing its controversial rule aimed at reducing blowouts.
In 2006, the CIAC implemented a rule that become known as the “Cochran Rule” that called for a one-game suspension for a head coach whose team won by 50 points or more. In 2005, Jack Cochran, who was the head coach at New London at the time, had four wins of more than 50 points, including a 90-0 victory.
Earlier this week, the CIAC approved a one-year trial for a rule that will replace its 50-point rule. Under the new rule, officials will use a running clock when one team leads by 42 or more points in the third quarter or by 35 or more in the fourth. If the score differential is reduced under those point levels, game officials will revert to regular timing until the point differential again reaches 42 or 35 points.
The state will use the new rule during regular season and playoff games, but not in the state championships.
Until Monday’s change, the CIAC did allow a running clock if both coaches agreed to one.
According to GameTimeCT.com, 30 of 50 states have some form of a mercy rule, per the National Federation of State High School Associations. In his story, Sean Patrick Bowley reports that 15 coaches have violated the 50 point rule with only two suspensions in ten years, because an appeal process was put into place after the original rule was passed.
