FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2000


Third District Court of Appeal reverses Berkshire injunction; Greater Miami Academy, Hebrew Academy advance in playoffs

GAINESVILLE – The Third District Court of Appeal of Florida has reversed a temporary injunction issued by a lower court, clearing the way for the Florida High School Activities Association to enforce Commissioner Robert W. Hughes’ decision to remove The Berkshire School’s girls and boys teams from the 2000 FHSAA State Basketball Series.

Hughes on Feb. 17 found that Berkshire, a private boarding school in Homestead, had illegally recruited eight student-athletes on its boys basketball team and four student-athletes on its girls basketball team. He ruled the student-athletes ineligible and ordered Berkshire to forfeit all games it had won up to that point – including playoff games – in which the student-athletes had participated. He also declared both teams ineligible for any further participation in the playoffs. His decision came following an indepth investigation that resulted from allegations filed against Berkshire by another member school.

Berkshire, the following day, sought and obtained a court order from the Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County that temporarily enjoined the FHSAA from enforcing Hughes’ decision. On Tuesday of this week the FHSAA filed an appeal of the temporary injunction with the Third District Court of Appeal and requested an emergency hearing before the court. The emergency hearing before the three-judge panel was granted and held Thursday.

"Obviously, we are extremely pleased with the appeals court decision," Hughes said. "It is important that the FHSAA be allowed to perform the responsibility required of it by state law."

Greater Miami Academy’s girls basketball team now advances with a bye to play Fort Lauderdale Christian today in a Class A Region 4 tournament quarterfinal game. The winner plays Jupiter Christian on Saturday night for the Region 4 championship and a berth in next week’s FHSAA Florida Girls Basketball Finals.

Hebrew Academy, Berkshire’s scheduled opponent in Thursday’s Class A Region 4 boys tournament quarterfinal game, advances with a bye to next Tuesday’s regional semifinal game against Sheridan Hills.

The Florida High School Activities Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletics in Florida. It has a membership of 615 middle schools, junior high schools and senior high schools.

Contact:
Jack Watford
Director of Communications, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 170
jwatford@fhsaa.org