FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 18, 2007


The Rock School penalized for major violations in its athletic program

GAINESVILLE – The Rock School of Gainesville has been penalized by the FHSAA for major violations in its athletic program.

In accordance with FHSAA bylaws, a compliance review was initiated in a March 13, 2007 letter to the school. During the review process, the investigation discovered two serious violations: international students living with someone associated with the school; and international students not paying tuition.

In response to an August 20, 2007 letter from Commissioner John A. Stewart to the school detailing the violations and a follow-up meeting with school representatives, The Rock proactively eliminated its International Missions Scholarship, and will now require all international students to complete a financial aid application through the FHSAA-approved agency Federal Family Needs Assessment. The school also ended the practice of being directly involved in the process of placing international students with host families.

Considering the proactive measure taken by the school balanced with the significance of the violations, the following penalties were imposed in this case:

1. Reprimand.

2. The Rock's entire athletic program is placed on restrictive probation for a period of one year, beginning immediately and ending at the conclusion of the 2007-08 school year. During the one-year period, the school's entire athletic program is restricted from:
   • participation in FHSAA state series competition;
   • participation in preseason classic contests;
   • participation in postseason contests of any kind, including non-sanctioned contests in conjunction with other athletic associations;
   • and participation with out-of-state schools.

3. The school also is placed on administrative probation for a period of two years following the year of restricted probation. All probation will end at the conclusion of the 2009-10 school year. Administrative probation is a period of warning during which additional violations committed by the school could result in more severe penalties than would normally be imposed.

4. The school must forfeit all contests in every sport in which international students participated during the 2006-07 school year, as well as any team awards or honors won during state series competition (district champion, regional champion and state-runner-up in boys basketball; district champion in girls basketball; district champion in fall soccer). State series appearances will be vacated in FHSAA record books.

5. The school is fined $10,000.

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.

» click here to download the public report (PDF, 244 K)

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.

Contact:
Robert Hernberger
Assistant Director of Communications, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 190
rhernberger@fhsaa.org