bellevue high school football scandal

Bellevue Independent Schools announced it has canceled the rest of its high school's football season due to multiple injuries on the team. Latest Updates. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook), (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook). You can read the Times' entire investigation here. BELLEVUE, Ky. (WXIX) - Bellevue police are stepping up for the high-school football team in their community after this week's news that the rest of the . The train wreck at Bellevue may be symbolic of much that is wrong with high school and college athletics and the creation of the entitled teenager and the grotesque flow of money into amateur sports. KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says it's a symptom of a much bigger problem.Media Probe The final report did not mention the Academic Institute. 2021 State Champs! We asked readers for their thoughts on what repercussions the Bellevue football program should face, as well as what the scandal says about high-school sports. Following the string of robberies, six players were sentenced to prison with terms ranging from two to 25 years. Here is a selection of the responses we received: Bellevue High Schools titles need to be removed. Records reviewed by the Seattle Times, however, show that Freemans father has had a home address in Auburn. They scammed the system and stole the opportunities of hometown players, stoleplayers from schools that could have used the talent to grow their ownteams, and stole titles from teams that they played. There are a lot of reasons why he thinks the rules were wrongly interpreted by the investigators. At least 42 transfer students contributed to Bellevue's football team from 2008 to 2015, according to the report, for a program that has reached 13 Class 3A state championship games in the past. "This is the most successful athletic program in state history and it's being torn down. A High School Football Program Just Got the SMU-Style Death - Forbes Bellevue school officials have previously told Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff that the district will seek to terminate him for violations of district policies. The win marks a return to the top for a former state juggernaut that won eight state championships from 2001 to 2011. Hopefully something like that will come out of this mess.". Despite the short week, the Wolverines came out fast against a spirited Islander squad, thanks to TDs from Ishaan Daniels, Carson Rubin, and Kaden Matsudaira, culminating in a 35-0 halftime lead. With the pregame pageantry and TV interviews done, the Wolverines got to work making the Big Game a big blowout. However, the victory only lasted five months when the school became the first in the state to have their title taken from them. 1. Fire them all immediately.. Bellevue has also been the subject of a nearly year-long investigation by the KingCo Conference, the league governing body for high school athletics in King County. We hear stories about competing schools. That leads to what the money was used for. On the eve of a Halloween weekend, the Bellevue faithful showed up in droves (and costumes) to celebrate another fantastic class of Bellevue High seniors. The most successful and the private schools are usually those that get accused. Michael Kneip coaches his alma mater and is bent on restoring its football greatness. Players attend the school for academics but are allowed to play football at Bellevue if they live in the proper district. 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. Yesterday Kendall Alston, age 31, was sentenced in federal court to five years for selling fentanyl pills in downtown Seattle. 5. KingCo reviewed sanctions that Bellevue had proposed for itself in the wake of a 68-page independent report that found wide-ranging rules violations within the program. Next week, both teams face a tough and up-and-coming Lake Washington team Varsity on Friday at LW (7pm), JV on Monday at home (7pm). Touchdowns from Sharp, Jones, Reed, and freshman Trevin King kept the Bellevue offense on top, for a 49-22 win. Freemans parents, Yusef and Allona, wrote in a letter this week to the school district that their son lived in the Bellevue attendance area. Discretely paid for by the booster club. It taught them how to succeed and prepared them for the future. Junior Carson Rubin was the first to take the spotlight two long runs and two TDs got BHS on the board in Q1. 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. The parents confirmed in their letter that they received financial support, but said they properly requested aid from the school. Among the violations, the 68-page report found thatplayers families provided false address to gain eligibility and that head coach ButchGoncharoff encouraged players to attend classes at a private alternative school where some of the players tuition was subsidized by the programs booster club. The KingCo Conference has levied sanctions against the school that include four years of probation for the entire athletic department,no road games or out-of-conference games for two years, no money funneled into the program from any source for four years, no postseason play for four years and no out-of-state opponents (a big source of revenue) for four years. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. If our society didnt place such a level of importance on winning at all costs, this type of thing wouldnt happen. Yes, the Catholic schools do recruit, but they are not funded through public money. How did parents never ask how their kid had so much walking around money? ONeil, however, says its misguided to think playing for Bellevue will be a ticket to free higher education, even if its a slightly more noble idea than parents creating super teams to win high school championships. Jones has filed an unfair-labor-practices complaint with the Public Employment Relations Commission. Bellevue High football: Team reportedly aided by diploma mill - Sports Come celebrate Anacortes 11th annual Bier on the Pier! 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. Bellevue wraps up undefeated season with 3A state title. Coach Kneip said, after the game, What an awesome night to celebrate a group of guys who have given so much to this program! Jayson Jenks: 206-464-8277 or, cited in its report a preponderance of evidence that violations had occurred, 68-page independent report that found wide-ranging rules violations within the program, Bellevue football banned from postseason for 4 years, WIAA lifts Bellevue postseason ban, strips two state titles, Cedar Park Christian hires ex-Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff, Two-year ban for Goncharoff ruled violation of union rights, After upheaval, sanctions, Bellevue ready to get back to playing football again, Report: Bellevue coaches violated rules for years, district obstructed probe, was placed on a three-year probation last year, district had proposed a suspension of the teams booster club along with meetings. And the idea that you need to move from wherever you live Carnation, Concrete, etc. 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. Theyre going to find you. The scandal rocked the affluent community and brought awareness to steroid use by teens. "I would say the rules are loose. Amazing game and ending for Bellevue Wolverines, State District . We will continue to defend our right, and the right of booster clubs around the state, to make these activities available to kids.. We asked our fans to vote for the 3A Players of the Year for Texas HS Football Podcast: Championship Series. Bellevue High School football is banned from postseason play for two years 4. Strip them of their titles going back to 2001. KingCo left the question of whether Bellevue should forfeit state titles up to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Debate: Are the parents to blame in the Bellevue football scandal The Wolverines will face Snohomish High School, at home this Friday, in the Week 10 Crossover round. 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. A video of two football players from John Jay High School in San Antonio went viral in September of 2015 after they blindsided a referee near the end of a game versus Marble Falls. 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. Hogwash! Onside kick with less than 2 minutes to go to setup Scoma winning field goal (Photo credit - Pete Caster / The News Tribune), Luke Scoma converts a must-have onside kick, then boots the game-winning field goal in the reigning Class 3A champions' 22-20 state quarterfinal victory over Gabarri Johnson-led Lincoln of Tacoma, A cadre of Lincoln defenders take down Bellevue running back Blake Tests during the first quarter of a Class 3A state quarterfinal game on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at the Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Wash. PETE CASTER Pete Caster / The News Tribune Read more. A high school state football championship in Texas is arguably about more than just temporary bragging rights. Sports news, analysis, opinions, and rumors. Until 1968, Washington state allowed restrictive housing covenants. Lake Washington Windows and Doors is a local window dealer offering the exclusive Leak Armor installation. Texas HS Football State Champions: 1920-2022, 2022 3A Fan Vote All-Texas High School Football Team, TXHSFB Podcast Championship Edition: Benjamin Mustangs, 2022 2A Fan Vote All-Texas High School Football Team, Texas HS Football Fan Vote Player Of The Year. And oh, by the way, how is it fair that a public school has limits on the geographic locations of its players homes,but private schools players can live anywhere? "They also discovered that there was a small school within the school called the Academic Institute, which was privately funded by a lot of the boosters to give educations to students who were struggling. A native of Southern California, now living in North Carolina, he has been working in broadcast, print and digital media for nearly 30 years. Like many expectant mothers, Miranda Kekauoha had a plan. Or that they never had homework from that school? Courtesy of Stephanie Ault Justus. Lots of work to be done to get where we want to be, though. Im already excited for next week. JV plays at Lake Washington on Monday 9/26. Senior running back William Wang rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns to lead Bellevue to a 3A state championship win over Kennewick on Saturday afternoon at Sparks Stadium. 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. And in years where cheating was determined to have occurred, titles should be forfeited. An investigation released Tuesday revealed significant and long-standing violations by the Bellevue High School football program. JV Head Coach Danny Salonen was upbeat after the game, we never like to lose games like this, there are plenty of fundamentals on both sides of the ball that need cleaning up, but I cant imagine a better opportunity for our young guys and newer players to play a ton of football. The win at all costs mentality, and the sad state of parents living vicariously through their childs athletic accomplishments, has put a pockmark on youth sports. After starting the season in Sports Illustrateds SB Live Top 25, the Wolverines found themselves on the wrong end of two tightly contested losses to start their 2022 campaign. Final score: 20-14, bringing the JV to 1-1. They say proposed project will negatively impact Minidoka internment camp site. Embattled Bellevue High School football coaches took another hit Friday as an executive board made up of high school principals increased penalties for the head . Nobody is talking about the kids who lived in-district whose spots were taking by athletic carpetbaggers., Sothe investigation found that, among other things, Bellevue boosters paid tuitionfor some players to attend an alternative school (just like many kids do) in order to receive instruction, compatible with their learning styles,that they needed to improve their academic standing. Published: Oct. 14, 2022 at 6:55 PM PDT. Students at AI a school derided as a diploma mill by two former teachers are still allowed to play on the Bellevue football team. The Times found at least three instances in which families of players attending the school were either given financial assistance by the team's boosters or didn't pay for the tuition themselves, a violation of state athletic rules. To tear down this whole organization is a crime. 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. "The report then went to a panel of KingCo Conference athletic directors. The investigation was prompted, in part, by an exposure in the Seattle Times last summer that found an underbelly of fraudulent academics, illegal recruiting and of course, money. Its no surprise that we tend to have a lot of conversations about entitled young athletes. Senior William Wang piled up 182 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 32 carries, and the Bellevue defense was tough as the top-seeded Wolverines laid a 27-3 licking on No. KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says it's a symptom of a much bigger problem.Media Probe. Students at a private school without a football team can play for a public-school team in their home district. Bellevue Highs football squad completed an undefeated season by winning the 3A state championship with a 17-13 triumph over Kennewick High on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Instead, athletes became eligible to play for the football powerhouse by traveling to a Bellevue office park for classes at an obscure, 40-student private school: The Academic Institute, Inc. Final score, 49-6, Eastlake. Unfazed by the less than hospitable conditions, the Wolverine ground game got to work against a stout Panther defense. They said Goncharoff never gave the family money to pay for rent. But what happens when bending the rules or covering for players becomes a real life story; the infractions are so extensive and the storylines so indelicate that no TV producer would even believe it. Armstead is also in the New York Giants Ring of Honor. Bellevue High stained by football scandal | The Spokesman-Review I have known athletes who have told of offers made by colleges. The Bellevue grads on staff are Jake Hiller (2010, offensive line coach), Morgann Richey (2014, offensive line), Ryan Gilbert (2015, defensive backs), Jack Michael (2015, defensive backs), Matt Gilbert (2012, defensive coordinator), AJ Kneip (2016, offensive line/strength coach), Miles Carlson (2016, defensive back), Quinn Sullivan (2018, linebackers), Joe Razore (1997, offensive coordinator), Cam Johnson (1999, wide receivers), Peter Nguyen (2009, wide receivers) and Jojo Connor (2010, quarterbacks). 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. Bellevue High's football squad completed an undefeated season by winning the 3A state championship with a 17-13 triumph over Kennewick High on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Rantz says he doesnt blame the parents whatsoever. Bellevue is not allowed to play out-of-state opponents for four seasons. The conferences action sets a precedent that should raise a red flag to everyone, the statement said. BELLEVUE REBOUNDS AT HOME VS LIBERTY, TOUGH START FOR WOLVERINES AGAINST TOP RANKED OPPONENTS, Former UW Lineman Is Lead Blocker in Returning Bellevue High to Prominence, Yelm goes length of field to end Bellevue's state championship reign, 28-27, PHOTOS: Yelm edges past Bellevue, 28-27, to earn title shot, VIDEO Game Highlights from Lincoln Playoff Game, 3A Quarterfinal, Bellevues 43-yard field goal breaks the hearts and playoff hopes of Lincoln Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/high-school/article2, With Bellevue in need of a season-saving spark, Luke Scoma delivers - with his foot, Bellevue tops 400 yards rushing to beat Mead in 3A state football playoffs, Bellevue football team defeats Snohomish in non-conference game. McKinney North Principal Linda Thret was the mom of one of the Fab Five and eventually resigned due to mounting pressure over her lack of discipline with the group. We depend on members for more than half of our financial support. Usain Bolt defeats Justin Gatlin, defends 100-meter title. Updated: 7:13 PM PDT July 8, 2016. You cheat, you steal, you lie. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal. One son married a runner-up from The Bachelor TV show and became an assistant football coach at Bellevue. In its findings released a few hours earlier, the KingCo committee: Found a preponderance of evidence that Bellevue illegally recruited athletes to the school and coordinated payments for athletes, and that Bellevue failed to self-report money provided to players families. Every sport has its dark side and high school football in Texas is no exception. 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. Thiel: Bellevue Football Scandal Highlights Need For Statewide Reform The team won 11 state championships in 15 years, including a 67-game winning streak. A judge has sentenced 10 current and former high school athletes to prison terms of up to 25 years for their roles in numerous armed robberies in the Dallas area over the past year. Did The Truth Even Matter: The Real Bellevue Football Story (Did The The team has won 11 state championships in the last 15 seasons.

Assessment The Constitution: A More Perfect Union Answer Key, Ethel Weld Wedding, Articles B