And then there is the claim within the report that some of the misdeeds were not so secretive; they were just direct cash payments to families to get players to Bellevue. Strip them of their titles going back to 2001. "It's not just Bellevue. The Seattle [] Latest Updates. Stamford had little trouble in the playoffs with wins over Quanah (43-13), Cisco (32-22), Denver City (14-0) and Olney (15-7). School District officials are planning to fire the head coach, Bellevue coaches clearly violated eligibility rules for years, Clemson gets commitment from 4-star North Cobb RB David Eziomume, Vermont HS girls basketball team forfeits rather than face transgender opponent, USA TODAY Sports Super 25 high school basketball rankings, week of Feb. 27, 2023, Sierra Canyon 4-star small forward AJ Swinton commits to Virgnia Tech, Imhotep Institute CB Kenny Woseley names top 4 schools, commitment date, Centennial boys basketball 3-peats as champions with buzzer-beater dunk, 'The Last of Us' actor, deaf youth hockey player meets Alexander Ovechkin in heartwarming video, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. However, the victory only lasted five months when the school became the first in the state to have their title taken from them. The Bellevue football story became national news in 2016 as false accusations of recruiting by the twelve-time state champions and 2012 national champions took center stage. He is now on administrative leave while this is adjudicated.". Video Highlights of State Championship New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory "They also discovered compensation to the head coach, Butch Goncharoff, of $60,000 a year that was well in excess of what the standards are for high school coaches.". Adults knew this was going on for years. It's the entire structure that needs reform and a lot of attention. Bellevue (Wash.) School District officials are planning to fire the head coach of the Bellevue High School football team, according to a letter sent to the coach by a top district official and . How did the adults never ask how it was that their kid was taking classes in a $1,750 per month school, yet they never got a tuition bill? Bellevue Superintendent Tim Mills says the district will appeal. In its report to KingCo, the Bellevue School District acknowledged several violations of rules while disputing other aspects of the independent investigation. Daniels got the second half rolling with his fourth house call of the game, and Luke Scoma added a late field goal to give the Wolverines a 44-13 win. Supporters of the Bellevue football program have shared the letter on social media. It should be a Homecoming to remember! That loss was an eye-opener, as Bellevue dominated in every aspect of the game against our team. That probe confirmed some of the problems that The Times found and also detailed other issues, including families that had used false addresses to gain eligibility, a school district that had obstructed the investigation and evidence that Goncharoff had been paid beyond the bounds of WIAA rules. Tacoma WA 98418. Yesterday Kendall Alston, age 31, was sentenced in federal court to five years for selling fentanyl pills in downtown Seattle. Jones began coaching at . Any booster associated with this mess be banned from any financial or booster club membership for two years. Amazing game and ending for Bellevue Wolverines,
Bellevue Independent Schools announced it has canceled the rest of its high school's football season due to multiple injuries on the team. By, Its almost like a cult. Activists shout down rural renewable energy projects, Amazon pauses construction in Virginia on its second headquarters, Dam owner guilty in field turf pollution of Puyallup River, First auction held for licenses to pollute in Washington, How this year's Selma Bridge Crossing could mark a community renaissance, Russia's foreign minister gets laughed at over Ukraine remarks at a global conference, Students learn lessons on climate change, pollution through raising salmon. Washington needs more than 1 million homes in the next 20 years, Islanders speak out against Lava Ridge Wind Project, WA Lottery reveals Auburn woman as winner of $754.6 million Powerball jackpot, Victim energy is a siren song to which we must stop our ears | Whales Tales, Teams roll into action on renovated South Mercer Playfields. Court records from an eviction case also show a Yusef Freeman was renting an apartment in Sammamish in 2009. The conferences action sets a precedent that should raise a red flag to everyone, the statement said. All told, a 42-0 first half lead. This fake news reporting in the media hammered down on the program until the program was literally ripped apart at the seams. Some prominent college football players are named in the report as having been cycled through The Academic Institute. Sat Nov 26 L . The players reportedly got the steroids from a dealer named Big Mike who was a fitness trainer. A 68-page report found that players' families provided false address to gain eligibility and that head coach Butch Goncharoff encouraged players to attend classes at a private alternative school. There are plenty of opinions during the aftermath of an investigation that found the Bellevue High School football team engaged in potentially illegal recruiting tactics, but one common thread is a lack of shock. The win marks a return to the top for a former state juggernaut that won eight state championships from 2001 to 2011. Discretely paid for by the booster club. Rantz says he doesnt blame the parents whatsoever. The Bellevue booster club in a statement early Tuesday expressed disappointment with the sanctions. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps is the traditional American response to anyone who complains about his lot in life. But, we would be lying if we said that there wasnt at least a benefit to these kids.. Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options! Comments (-1) BPS Summer STEM Camps. Here's the AP story SEATTLE (AP) - An investigation into illegal recruiting has resulted in the suspension of Bellevue High School's head football coach, Butch Goncharoff, and the team being placed on probation. The No. I am old enough to remember corruption being the norm in the old Southwest Conference: fake jobs, hundred dollar handshakes and far, far worse. But KingCo officials saw Bellevues problems as requiring more severe sanctions. Set the playing field equal, limit the activity of booster clubs to support supplies and travel costs. Published: Oct. 14, 2022 at 6:55 PM PDT. BHS cheated its own eligible students of playing. Every sport has its dark side and high school football in Texas is no exception. Coach Kneip on the game, We had a great, physical week of practice, and it really paid off. New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory, Back on top: Bellevue beats Kennewick to win 3A state title behind William Wangs 243 yards, Bellevue runs over Marysville-Pilchuck to return to state football championship game, William Wangs career night lifts No. David R. Evans The events took place under the watch of school district officials who conceded that discounted tuition for athletes would constitute a violation of state athletic rules, a district document shows. The players spent 75 days in the districts alternative school after the incident. Thiel said Goncharoff has been quite vocal about his innocence. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook) While the Institute touts its focus on education at a full-time cost of $1,750 per month two former teachers label Academic Institute a diploma mill that doesnt adhere to basic educational standards. Jessie Armstead, played for Miami and was the 207th pick in the 8th round of the 1993 NFL draft. Photos: William Wang powers No. It's finally come to a head. 1 Bellevue back into 3A state semifinals: 4 observations
Now we have to keep the focus going next week for playoffs.. I think that theres a lot of different layers to understanding exactly what is going on., Related: Teen football player tackles suspected shoplifter. Last year, after a Seattle Times story detailed how numerous Bellevue players had taken classes at The Academic Institute, a private alternative school that former teachers described as a diploma mill, the school district called for an independent investigation. What is your main job as a parent? The KingCo Conference came down hard on Bellevue High School football Tuesday, banning the embattled program from postseason play for four years, prohibiting outside donations for four years and tightening oversight of incoming transfers for two years. However, the school often had no teachers in the classrooms; little, if any homework was ever given, and the players received full class credit. Per a statement, athletic director Jim Hicks said. Once you address these issues, thenlets talk about a level playing field.. "And if you can wiggle around with all of these variances in the rules, then they've got a real problem.". Edwards was sentenced to 16 years and never played another down of football. Two former teachers told the Times the Academic Institute doesnt adhere to basic educational standards. Players need a 2.0 GPA with no more than one failing class to compete athletically. Which spelled out who could live in certain neighborhoods. Freemans parents criticized the Times reporters who wrote the Bellevue High story, saying they hounded and harassed their son and tricked him into saying things that he has no knowledge of. Accepted a Bellevue resolution that it will not renew contracts for two years of coaches who violated the WIAA rule that stipends and gifts of more than $500 must be approved by the school board. Fire and fine all involved. Five days after bringing home the state title, a string of events began that would blemish the reputation of the Dallas Carter program. "I would say the rules are loose. Many would perhaps have fallen through the cracks had it not been for the help they received when it was obvious to coaches they needed a little boost. Come celebrate Anacortes 11th annual Bier on the Pier! The ref denied any use of racial slurs during the game. The evidence shows that the practices KingCo now is penalizing including summer sports camps for kids and paying coaches for extra work outside of the season were approved by Bellevue School District and are shared by many, many area schools, the statement said. The blatant efforts by school and district officials to obstruct the investigation demonstrate their complicity in cheating, their utter disregard for the truth and their complete lack of integrity. From changing grades and playing ineligible players to substance abuse and violence, these five scandals marred the face of the king of all sports in Texas. All Rights Reserved. The startup funding should be part of the investigation. Brady rolled through the playoffs that year up until the state game beating Belton (66-8), Taylor (30-8), Jasper (24-0) and Palacios (22-0). The donors and contributors to this school should be identified. The specifics of what happened is more symbolic of what is preposterously wrong with parents who lack the ability to teach their kids the responsibilities of being a student athlete. Art Thiel is a co-founder and writer for the rising sports website Sportspress Northwest. "Goncharoff, the booster club at Bellevue, and many people objected said 'No, this is all inaccurate. Im so happy and proud of all of them. Varsity takes the field this Saturday (10/8) at Juanita, at 7pm, while the JV will face Juanita at home the following Monday. At a Tuesday news conference, Bellevue Superintendent Tim Mills said the report contains information that requires immediate action, but the district has not saidwhat that action will be. Its no surprise that we tend to have a lot of conversations about entitled young athletes. This isnt just about high school sports. These efforts were and are fully within the rules., The boosters vowed to continue to fight. "They said four years of probation for the entire athletic department, a four-year ban for football on postseason play, and also non-conference play, as well as inviting any out-of-state opponents to play Bellevue High School. This has been, I dont want to say an open secret, but Im not surprised by the investigation, ONeil told Seattles Morning News.