FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2007


FHSAA amends penalties imposed on Orlando Christian Prep, Potter's House Christian

GAINESVILLE – Following separate oral presentations by the administrations of both schools, the FHSAA Office has amended the penalties imposed on Orlando Christian Prep School and Potter's House Christian Academy of Jacksonville for violations committed by their respective girls basketball programs.

Orlando Christian Prep School's monetary fine was reduced from $10,000 to $5,000. All other penalties, including the prohibition on participation in the state girls basketball series beginning immediately and continuing through the 2009-10 school year, remain in place.

Two of five student-athletes on Potter's House Christian Academy's girls basketball team who were declared ineligible have been reinstated. While the team still will be required to forfeit all games won in which the three ineligible student-athletes participated, Commissioner John A. Stewart did lift the prohibition on the school's participation in this year's state girls basketball series. All other penalties, including a $5,000 fine and prohibition from participation in the state girls basketball series for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years, remain in place.

Stewart heard Orlando Christian Prep School's presentation on Monday. Potter's House Christian Academy made its presentation on Tuesday. Both presentations were made in the FHSAA Office.

Both schools still may appeal the Commissioner's findings and the amended penalties to the FHSAA Board of Directors at its March 25 meeting. Each school has 10 days from the date of its original notification of the findings and penalties to file notice with the FHSAA Office that it will appeal.

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 750 middle and senior public and private high schools. More information is available at www.fhsaa.org.

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