FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 9, 2008
Bradenton Preparatory penalized for violating 19 FHSAA regulations
GAINESVILLE – Bradenton Preparatory has been penalized by the FHSAA for athletic recruiting in its football, boys tennis and basketball programs, along with other significant violations.
The investigation was initiated in a November 15, 2007 letter to the school, following information forwarded to the Association by several FHSAA member schools, as well as a member of the FHSAA Board of Directors.
The investigation centered around the recruitment of students from other FHSAA member schools in the Bradenton-Manatee area. The investigation found that:
• Seven student-athletes were improperly contacted by a parent, outside agents and/or college recruiters;
• Three student-athletes lived with a representative of the school's athletic interest;
• Bradenton Prep violated FHSAA Policy 9 (the falsification of the FHSAA Financial Report Form for a Preseason Spring Classic Football Game);
• Three student-athletes violated FHSAA Bylaw 11.4.10 (transferring while under disciplinary sanctions at his/her former school); and
• Five student-athletes violated FHSAA Policy 38, Section 6.0 (financial assistance).
Bradenton Prep took the following proactive measures, including proposed consequences, for the violation of FHSAA regulations:
• Two Athletic Directors employed by the school are no longer employed;
• Two basketball coaches at the time of the incidents are no longer employed by the school;
• The school will hold a meeting with the entire coaching staff each semester to discuss the FHSAA rules including those related to recruiting;
• The school will require all students interested in financial assistance to complete all necessary TADS forms;
• The school will require all coaches to sign a contract stating that they understand and agree that they are prohibited from communicating with any recruiters, parents who may be acting a recruiter, or recruiting agencies in any manner;
• The school will change its application for admission form to specifically ask if the applicant has "ever been suspended, expelled or withdrawn from any school for any reason"; and
• The school will pay a fine deemed appropriate by the FHSAA.
Considering the cooperation and proactive measures taken by the school balanced with the significance of the violations, the following penalties were imposed in this case:
1. Reprimand.
2. Bradenton Prep's basketball, football and boys' tennis programs are placed on restrictive probation for a period of three years beginning with the 2008-09 school year and ending at the conclusion of the 2010-11 school year. For the three-year period, the following restrictions are imposed:
• The school cannot participate in the state series competition for the aforementioned sports;
• The school can only participate in regular contests. The school is not allowed to participate in any pre-season or post-season classics/jamborees;
• The school cannot participate against out-of-state teams, with the exception of participation against out-of-state teams during regular season tournaments; and
• The school cannot participate in home game broadcasts on television or radio.
3. The school is fined an accumulated $38,000.
Bradenton Prep has until June 24, 2008 to file an appeal. Failure to file an appeal so that it is received in the office of the Association within the ten business days allowed shall be deemed a waiver of the right to appeal.
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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:
Cristina Alvarez
Director of Media Relations and Marketing, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 190
calvarez@fhsaa.org
