FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2006


Nature Coast Technical High School penalized for recruiting violations

The Florida High School Athletic Association has placed Nature Coast Technical High School in Brooksville on probation for three years and assessed the school a total of $1,250 in fines for violations of the Association’s rules on recruiting.

The penalties were imposed after a three-month investigation found that coaches in the school’s girls basketball, football and boys soccer programs had improper contact with student-athletes who did not attend Nature Coast. None of the student-athletes, however, attended Nature Coast as a result of the contact.

The school was officially notified of the findings and penalties on Wednesday.

“While there is no direct evidence that any student-athlete was successfully recruited by the actions of school representatives, it was our conclusion that Nature Coast representatives clearly made attempts to do so in three different sports” Commissioner John A. Stewart said. “One such attempt was made with the knowledge and permission of the principal and athletic director.

“Had the school benefitted from these ventures, the penalties assessed would have been severe.”

FHSAA Bylaw 7.6.1 prohibits any representative of a school from using undue influence and/or special inducement in an attempt to recruit a student-athlete to attend that school, and directs the Association’s Board of Directors to adopt a policy that defines these terms. The Policy on Recruiting, in its definition of undue influence, specifically prohibits “initiating or arranging telephone, telegram or other written contact” or “visiting or entertaining” or having “any other contact with” a prospective student-athlete or a member of his/her family for the purpose and intent of soliciting or encouraging the enrollment of the student in a school. Also prohibited is “attending grade school, junior high or middle school game for the purpose of evaluating and recruiting specific prospective student-athletes.” The policy further directs coaches, when contacted by student-athletes from other schools or their parents, to direct those individuals to the principal or other appropriate personnel who have the responsibility of seeking and processing prospective students.

The investigation determined that four specific violations of these rules were committed.

• The school’s girls basketball coach, with the permission of the principal and athletic director, held “middle school nights” in conjunction with two home contests, used both verbal and written communication to invite middle school student-athletes to attend these events, and provided a pizza party for those who did attend.

• Two of the school’s assistant football coaches appeared on the sidelines at a middle school football game on Oct. 4, 2005. During the game these coaches were in contact with the parent of one of the players participating in the game.

• One of the two assistant football coaches personally delivered to a neighbor “paperwork” for making application to attend Nature Coast.

• The school’s girls soccer coach, while attending a practice of his son’s team, had contact with potential student-athletes and a parent.

The following penalties were imposed in this case:

• Reprimand.

• The school’s entire athletic program is placed on three years of administrative probation. Administrative probation is a period of warning during which time additional violations may result in an extension of the probationary period, or the imposition of more severe penalties.

• The school is fined a total of $1,250 – $500 for the two “middle school nights” conducted by the girls basketball program, $500 for the two improper contact violations committed by the football program, and $250 for the one improper contact violation committed by the girls soccer program.

• The school is required to reimburse the Association for its expenses incurred during the investigation once they have been compiled.

“The cooperation of the school’s administration in this investigation is deeply appreciated,” Stewart said. “They knew that violations had occurred and assisted us in nailing down the facts in this case. It has been a learning experience for them, and we trust that no further violations of this nature will be committed by Nature Coast Technical High School.”

FHSAA bylaws ensure the school’s right to appeal the Commissioner’s findings, as well as the penalties assessed. The school has 10 business days to notify in writing the FHSAA Office if it intends to file an appeal. The Association’s Section 2 Appeals Committee will hear an appeal if filed.

About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletic competition in Florida. It has a membership of more than 700 middle, junior and senior high schools.


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