KHSAA penalizes Pike County Central; forfeits 2010 wins

[The Scribe]

From the KHSAA release:

 

Officials at Pike County Central have imposed a series of penalties on the school’s football program following the receipt of results and findings of a nearly year-long KHSAA investigation of the school’s football program. In addition, KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett imposed sanctions within the KHSAA Bylaws based on the investigation.

 

The investigation centered on issues involving several association bylaws, with the efforts centered on KHSAA Bylaw6 (Transfer Rule) and Bylaw 10 (Recruiting) within the football program. As part of the findings, the KHSAA has agreed to accept the following self-imposed penalties by the Pike County Central administration:

• Forfeit all wins from the 2010 season;
  
• The head football coach will be suspended for one third of the team’s scheduled football games for the 2011 season. One of those games includes the Pike County Bowl, one away contest and one home contest;
  
• Development of a corrective action plan at Pike County Central within local district policies and based on proposed detailed elements;
  
• Pike County Central will reimburse the KHSAA the out of pocket costs of the outside investigative assistance in the matter for in 2010-11 school year, approximately $3,000;
  
• Institute a mandatory training session staffed by the Pike County Board of Education representatives on local district policies and expectations;
  
• Institute a required training program for all coaches, as well as inclusion of the principal and athletic director, which shall be facilitated and conducted by KHSAA staff.
  

“I deeply understand the fact this is a black eye on our school district, and our school in particular, one that affects our staff, our students and myself personally,” said Pike County Central Principal David Rowe. “We want to ensure that this or any similar event does not happen again. After consulting with the superintendent, we have implemented appropriate measures that we feel will do just that.”

 

In addition, the following penalties have been levied by the Association:

• If one does not already exist, a written handbook of rules and expectations for those involved in athletics at Pike County Central shall be developed. If one already exists, it shall be revised to ensure inclusion of items discovered during the investigation. This is due to the KHSAA by December 1, 2011;
  

• Submit written documentation that all self-penalties have been implemented;
  
• The football program will be placed on probation and remain on probation through the remainder of the 2011 season. Any further violation of KHSAA rules will result in additional penalties, but does not impact game scheduling or playoff eligibility;
  
• Pike County Central is issued an administrative fine in the amount of $3,500 for a lack of institutional control and failure to adequately monitor and ensure compliance with its football program. The fine shall be paid by the end of the 2011 football season.
  

“It is never easy to place sanctions on a school and potentially penalize young people, their families and school communities,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “However, the violations that have occurred are extremely serious in nature and our member schools expect this office to investigate and administer appropriate penalties prescribed by our bylaws. The administration at Pike County Central should be commended for the aggressive and decisive action in response to this situation. The proposed penalties represent a clear identification of the existing problems but strong leadership in resolving them and ensuring they do not happen again.”

[sportsfan41]

Was it believed that the coach was directly responsible for the infractions, or was it more that it happened on his watch?

[Dlbdonn]

Lordy what were they guilty of ?

[spindoc]

But no post season penalty for this season?

[sportsfan41]

But no post season penalty for this season?

 

Probably why they went ahead and tried to self impose their penalties.

[Watusi]

I haven't seen any of the official papers on this case. The rumors about the case involved accusations of playing ineligible players, illegal recruiting, coaches transporting players to and from PCC who actually lived elsewhere and who knows what else. All of this took place last season.

 

If anyone obtains the official documents via open records request, I'd love to read them.

[NKY Bandit]

Geesh. They must REALLY be mad at Scott County this time..............

[knights52]

Wow, thats some severe punishments. Can anyone explain what they did? And I don't remember but what was the punishment that Prestonsburg(sp?) and LCA received for the broken rules? Just curious cause I want to compare. I remember Lexcath got a few penalties for providing extra finincial aid to a student and they lost wins and bowl game was taken away for a year.

[Morehead State]

Wow, thats some severe punishments. Can anyone explain what they did? And I don't remember but what was the punishment that Prestonsburg(sp?) and LCA received for the broken rules? Just curious cause I want to compare. I remember Lexcath got a few penalties for providing extra finincial aid to a student and they lost wins and bowl game was taken away for a year.

 

I don't think the penalties are severe enough, it was blatant that the coach, or coaches were picking the students up and providing transportation for them to attend Pike Central. This is a slap on the wrist for a coach who doesn't like to play by the rules. He should at least have to sit out some district play, instead of the easiest part of their schedule.

[RocketLandFan]

It would be interesting to see how many programs would suffer "infractions" if the KHSAA investigated more programs.......

[leatherneck]

Unless one knows all the facts and circumstances and applies them to the By Laws, it's impossible for one to say that the penalties were too light or too heavy. For those out there with which I have any credibility, just trust me when I say the KHSAA takes every allegation of a violation seriously, does everything within its abilities and powers to investigate those allegations, and seriously and with great deliberation attempts to provide the appropriate sanctions if violations are found. People simply do not appreciate the legal nuances involved in these situations and the balance that has to be applied. It is a very difficult and challenging task. People want black and white rules and sanctions. We do not unfortunately live in a world of black and white clarity. Wish we did, but we don't. Fire away if you must, but I know what I'm speaking about.

[ATLCat]

^^^

 

Lots of hearsay around it, but the general gist of what is most widely speculated:

 

- John Chapman becomes Pike Central Head Coach after being a long time assistant at Breathitt County. First year shows promise behind a very young PC team.

- In the summer leading up to Season 2 soon to be Junior standout LB Corey Shouse is reported to transfer from Breathitt to Pike Central.

- Soon to be Junior Perry Central QB Alan Boggs transfers to Pike Central as well. The prototypical QB for Chapman's offense.

- Boggs becomes the starting QB over the "homegrown" player. Parents and player are upset.

- Pike Central opens the season 5-0 in dominating fashion and has a ton of hype. With the hype comes accusations and a bit of controversy.

- A complaint is filed with the KHSAA that PC the transferred players are not legitimate. SUPPOSEDLY, players are shown riding with coaches from the Mountain Parkway all the way to Buckley's Creek amongst other things and it is reported to be caught on video camera.

- The buzz from Pike Central country is that the person behind it is the disgruntled family of the QB who lost his starting spot.

- Pike Central loses to Belfry but finishes the regular season with only one defeat, taking down Sheldon Clark and Prestonsburg at the end of the season.Due to tiebreaker PC finishes 3rd in District 8.

- Appalachian News Express announces that the KHSAA is formally investigating Pike Central prior to the Russell playoff game. Lots of media attention and buzz.

- Pike Central has to choose whether to play Shouse and Boggs. They meet with KHSAA officials and choose to play them in the game.

- Pike Central blows a 2 TD lead and lose to Russell.

- Boggs finishes the season with over 4000 total yards and over 40 TD. Shouse was PC's leading tackler.

- Speculation continues through the offseason whether players will be eligible. All parties lawyer up. Word is Boggs and Shouse are cleared for their Senior seasons.

- Pike Central opens 2011 season with a 38-0 thrashing of Greenup County. Boggs goes beast mode in the win.

[ATLCat]

My take on the punishment levied:

 

I want to see the verbage of the official report. Obviously the KHSAA feels a significant violation occurred that was perpetuated by the PC coaches. The vacation of wins means that players deemed ineligible had to have participated in every game. This does not actually translate that PC "illegally recruited players", in fact until something official is released we don't know what the actual findings reveal.

 

Under the assumption that Pike Central was found guilty of knowingly playing ineligible players I find the punishment too soft.

 

As it stands now the steepest extent of the punishment is that Chapman is not be allowed to coach against Phelps (PC could beat 100-0), Powell County, and Shelby Valley (PC is about 8 TD's better than each of those teams). They forfeit the best season in school history, but all it resulted in was 3rd place in the district and a first round exit. These games have basically no bearing on the Hawk's season. The fact the ruling came after the Greenup game is even more disturbing as Greenup is probably 4 TD's better than their next 3 opponents.

 

If the KHSAA wanted to send a message Chapman should have been forced to be suspended for district games.

 

I am glad the KHSAA chose not to punish the players. Yet, Chapman's actual punishments (in lieu of what MAY HAVE occurred) aren't even harsh enough to be considered a slap on the wrist for his actions. If the allegations of transporting players or knowingly playing an ineligible player prove true, then Chapman's punishments are more akin to a slap on the shoe with a spaghetti noodle.

[CowboyUp]

Also, starting center and middle linebacker was a transfer from Perry Central(He returned back to PCC after the football season was completed). Two starting lineman(on the defensive and offensive line) were transfers from WV. The fathers of the PCC transfer and the one of the lineman's father were given teaching jobs and were assistant football coaches. The are both no longer teachers or coaches for the 2011-12 year and season.

[Paul Dean]

Boyle County contacted PCC and tried to schedule a game for 09/16 to make up for a TN team backing out at the last minute. Their response was "no thanks." Could their decline of a tenth game (a home game and good gate) be the result of this mess? Sounds like they have a pretty good team (if everyone is eligible).