bellevue high school football scandal bellevue high school football scandal

Coach Kneip said after the victory, Amazing atmosphere tonight!! Bellevue can appeal the sanctions to KingCo principals within five school days, then can appeal to the executive board of the SeaKing District and ultimately to the executive board of the WIAA. "The report then went to a panel of KingCo Conference athletic directors. 2023 Bonneville International. 5 Marysville-Pilchuck on Saturday in the early game of the Class 3A semifinal doubleheader at Memorial Stadium. "This issue with Bellevue has been around for many years. Part of Darien Freemans account, however, is corroborated by documents reviewed by the Seattle Times. But Notre Dame-bound RB Jayden Limar led a second half comeback, eventually closing the game out 37-28. This will essentially kill the football program. You cheat, you steal, you lie. And then there is the claim within the report that some of the misdeeds were not so secretive; they were just direct cash payments to families to get players to Bellevue. A video of Bellevue East High School's Bier on the Pier takes place on October 7th and 8th and features local ciders, food trucks and live music - not to mention the beautiful views of the Guemes Channel and backdrop of downtown Anacortes. The first loss came at the hands of back-to-back Oregon 6A state champions, Central Catholic, on a field goal as time expired, which gave CCHS the first lead theyd had since early in the second quarter. Fire them all immediately.. That probe confirmed some of the problems that The Times found and also detailed other issues, including families that had used false addresses to gain eligibility, a school district that had obstructed the investigation and evidence that Goncharoff had been paid beyond the bounds of WIAA rules. Sports news, analysis, opinions, and rumors. Tony has been with Last Word on Sports for six years covering college football around the country. Freemans parents, Yusef and Allona, wrote in a letter this week to the school district that their son lived in the Bellevue attendance area. Butch Goncharoff is banned from coaching in Washington State, 3. Tornados drive 94 yards on 16 plays, capped by Damian Aalona's 1-yard quarterback keeper for a touchdown, to win action-packed Class 3A semifinal game at Art Crate Field. You can find Art Thiel's work at Sportspress Northwest and Crosscut.com. The long-running nature of the corruption uncovered by this investigation could only have occurred with the explicit or tacit approval of Bellevue High Schooland Bellevue School District administrators, as the reportvividly details. Freeman described in detail the hours he spent busing from Auburn to Bellevue, catching a 5:30 a.m. bus to start class around 8:15. Touchdowns from Sharp, Jones, Reed, and freshman Trevin King kept the Bellevue offense on top, for a 49-22 win. They say proposed project will negatively impact Minidoka internment camp site. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. An independent investigation found a series of potential violations on the Bellevue High School football program. However, the school often had no teachers in the classrooms; little, if any homework was ever given, and the players received full class credit. Washington state wants to be a leader in climate change, but I sense that the voters are not as concerned about that these days. The train wreck at Bellevue may be symbolic of much that is wrong with high school and college athletics and the creation of the entitled teenager and the grotesque flow of money into amateur sports. It was so one-sided and evident that something was different about this team in comparison to the other nine teams Liberty played against., For every year they won the state championship, that should be the number of years they are not qualified to compete in theplayoffs. 5. At a Tuesday news conference, Bellevue Superintendent Tim Mills said the report contains information that requires immediate action, but the district has not saidwhat that action will be. He played for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins and was a five time Pro Bowl selection. Junior Carson Rubin was the first to take the spotlight two long runs and two TDs got BHS on the board in Q1. Any booster associated with this mess be banned from any financial or booster club membership for two years. After finding steroids in her sons athletic bag in September of 2004, a Colleyville Heritage mom approached school administrators after verifying the contents through a local drug store. Following the string of robberies, six players were sentenced to prison with terms ranging from two to 25 years. Armstead is also in the New York Giants Ring of Honor. The Bellevue High School football team is one victory away from the ultimate return to glory. There are absolutely no facts to support KingCos conclusion they have foolishly relied on the false inferences of the WIAAs original report, Goncharoffs statement said. Per a statement, athletic director Jim Hicks said. Bellevue High School, Wolverine Way, Bellevue, WA, USA Sat Nov 19 W 22-20 @ Lincoln High School "Abes" Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma, WA, USA - 701 S. 37th Street. That would be easy. Agreed with Bellevues conclusions that athletes used false addresses to gain eligibility, and that payments were made to coaches without approval from the school district. All Rights Reserved. Now lets see a similar investigation into sports programs at every private high school in the state to determine just how many of their players parents are paying full tuition. Under ominous clouds and heavy winds, the Wolverines took the field in their electric yellow uniforms, to face the visiting Snohomish Panthers in a Week 10 crossover game. Bellevue is not allowed to play out-of-state opponents for four seasons. It's false. Bellevue can appeal for that sanction to be reduced one year early. I have known athletes who have told of offers made by colleges. If youre a Pac-12 talent, you are going to jump off the page at recruiters, he said. How did parents never ask how their kid had so much walking around money? Medicare open enrollment is here and SHIBA can help! Bellevue High School has the most successful football program in state history - winning 11 titles in the last 15 years. None of our business, he said. How did parents move into a new apartment and never pay a dime of rent and never ask how that came to be? Bellevue High's football squad completed an undefeated season by winning the 3A state championship with a 17-13 triumph over Kennewick High on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. It should not be about winning at all costs to include cheating by parents. Yes, they broke the rules to get them on the team. Court records from an eviction case also show a Yusef Freeman was renting an apartment in Sammamish in 2009. More of the money went to pay for school; the kind with no real academics. When I saw the David Horsey cartoon, light rail ambassadors inviting a fentanyl-smoking passenger to leave, I lost it, says a listener. Now, we cannot be completely naive. KingCo left the question of whether Bellevue should forfeit state titles up to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). This booster club raised more than $427,000 in 2013 according to the Seattle Times investigation. In the second quarter, junior Carson Rubin got on the board with an thrilling 80 TD run, Razore completed his second TD pass of the day (once again to Hansen, of course), and senior DB Caymus Rooney took an interception 40 yards to the house. "They said four years of probation for the entire athletic department, a four-year ban for football on postseason play, and also non-conference play, as well as inviting any out-of-state opponents to play Bellevue High School. If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences in relation to this story, please email the reporter or. Its unfortunate for the kids who played therebut also hard on those who played against Bellevue, too. I think the system is prone to corruption. Playoffs: No postseason games for four years, Boosters: No donations to program for four years, Games: Only KingCo 3A opponents for two years; no out-of-state opponents for four years, Transfers: Stricter guidelines, oversight for incoming transfer students for two years, Championships: Vacate Bellevues conference titles if WIAA determines that state titles should be forfeited. Latest Updates. 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School District officials are planning to fire the head coach, Bellevue coaches clearly violated eligibility rules for years, Clemson gets commitment from 4-star North Cobb RB David Eziomume, Vermont HS girls basketball team forfeits rather than face transgender opponent, USA TODAY Sports Super 25 high school basketball rankings, week of Feb. 27, 2023, Sierra Canyon 4-star small forward AJ Swinton commits to Virgnia Tech, Imhotep Institute CB Kenny Woseley names top 4 schools, commitment date, Centennial boys basketball 3-peats as champions with buzzer-beater dunk, 'The Last of Us' actor, deaf youth hockey player meets Alexander Ovechkin in heartwarming video, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Bellevue has 12 buildings taller than 25 stories, 10 of them built since 2005. Published: Oct. 14, 2022 at 6:55 PM PDT. BELLEVUE, Ky. (WXIX) - Bellevue police are stepping up for the high-school football team in their community after this week's news that the rest of the . An interception by Caymus Rooney sealed the first half, 34-7 in favor of Bellevue. Final score, 59-0, BHS. Department of Commerce officials say communities will need diverse housing options in the future as well. Mostly because they were too busy taking advantage of the whole in the system for their own benefit. In order to remedy the violations, the district had proposed a suspension of the teams booster club along with meetings, training programs and policy reviews to ensure rules are followed in the future. Coach Kneip on the game, We had a great, physical week of practice, and it really paid off. Cheerleaders capture the crowds attention during the game, but one group of Texas high school cheerleaders captured the attention of the entire nation due to their outlandish behavior. Every sport has its dark side and high school football in Texas is no exception. It's easy to be accused of fearmongering regarding crime, but Seattle residents might have good reason to be concerned for their safety. It taught them how to succeed and prepared them for the future. Yes, the Catholic schools do recruit, but they are not funded through public money. Darien Freeman has not returned multiple messages left for him last week. The second half saw more of the same stingy Wolverine defense, and scores being added by another long Daniels run, and a 30-yard TD connection from Razore to junior TE, Hogan Hansen. KingCo will have stricter guidelines and oversight for incoming transfer student-athletes for two years. Students at a private school without a football team can play for a public-school team in their home district. The players reportedly said the refereewas using racial slurs and said they were instructed to hit the ref by their coach, Mack Breed. The second half would be spent in running clock, ending in a final of 54-13. At least 17 Bellevue football players attended the program over the past seven years, the Seattle Times has learned. This fake news reporting in the media hammered down on the program until the program was literally ripped apart at the seams. Embattled Bellevue High School football coaches took another hit Friday as an executive board made up of high school principals increased penalties for the head . With ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary What Carter Lost screening Aug. 24, audiences are primed to remember the glory and scandal that surrounded Dallas Carter High School's football team nearly 30 . What sanction to impose if they will not resign in disgrace? Bellevue's head coach and athletic director be fired immediately 2. In their opening possession, Carson Rubin zigged and zagged, dicing the defense with a 29-yard touchdown run. Im so happy and proud of all of them. There are a lot of reasons why he thinks the rules were wrongly interpreted by the investigators. Some prominent college football players are named in the report as having been cycled through The Academic Institute. Freeman met with a reporter on two separate occasions at a SeaTac restaurant. Coach Salonen said, We feel incredibly lucky to have the numbers to support a JV program this year, we love seeing the additional reps these players are getting, and the improvement that comes with those reps.. On the eve of a Halloween weekend, the Bellevue faithful showed up in droves (and costumes) to celebrate another fantastic class of Bellevue High seniors. With the pregame celebrations and hugs finished, the Wolverines wasted no time getting down to business. Unphased by the change, the boys loaded up the busses on Saturday evening, and headed north to Juanita High School in Kirkland. This begins the discussion of the penalty phase of the violations, and there are several steps working through that process, said Mike Colbrese, WIAA executive director. 12 Mead in the first round of the Class 3A state football playoffs 41-10 as Bellevue rode its potent rushing attack to a dominant victory that puts it just two wins from their second consecutive state championship game appearance. She handles most sports coverage at the station, including helping produce a two-part series on the 50th anniversary of Title IX and the ongoing series "Going Deep.". Stamford had little trouble in the playoffs with wins over Quanah (43-13), Cisco (32-22), Denver City (14-0) and Olney (15-7). They don't have subpoena power because this is a trade association. Thiel said Goncharoff has been quite vocal about his innocence. Bellevue High School football is banned from postseason play for two years 4. Michael Kneip coaches his alma mater and is bent on restoring its football greatness. The most successful and the private schools are usually those that get accused. In all, six players were connected with 21 robberies that occurred in Carter neighborhoods. One son married a runner-up from The Bachelor TV show and became an assistant football coach at Bellevue. Jayson Jenks: 206-464-8277 or, cited in its report a preponderance of evidence that violations had occurred, 68-page independent report that found wide-ranging rules violations within the program, Bellevue football banned from postseason for 4 years, WIAA lifts Bellevue postseason ban, strips two state titles, Cedar Park Christian hires ex-Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff, Two-year ban for Goncharoff ruled violation of union rights, After upheaval, sanctions, Bellevue ready to get back to playing football again, Report: Bellevue coaches violated rules for years, district obstructed probe, was placed on a three-year probation last year, district had proposed a suspension of the teams booster club along with meetings. BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Bellevue School District officials and booster club members are fighting back against a blistering report that alleged recruitment violations within the Bellevue High. The sanctions are the latest chapter in the saga of investigations, appeals and denials concerning one of the most successful prep-football programs in state history. After the game, Coach Kneip said, Our job is to put our kids in the best position to win a state championship, and that means challenging ourselves against the best opponents we can possibly find for our non-conference games.. It's a guaranteed story that will be told for generations, with a record that will be likely painted up on a water tower or on a city's welcome sign. From changing grades and playing ineligible players to substance abuse and violence, these five scandals marred the face of the king of all sports in Texas. lots and lots of money going around. PF 497 PA 185 STREAK 1L. The win marks a return to the top for a former state juggernaut that won eight state championships from 2001 to 2011. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook), (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook). Five days after bringing home the state title, a string of events began that would blemish the reputation of the Dallas Carter program. While parents arent specifically mentioned in these allegations, ONeil says they would most certainly be involved in these violations and are also culpable. To deny them the ability to compete with their peers is wrong and goes against every principle of youth sports.. Of the 24-23 loss, Coach Kneip said, Theyre a really, really well-coached, high quality program. The scandal rocked the affluent community and brought awareness to steroid use by teens. Or that they never had homework from that school? School district leaders initially sought to have the booster club answer questions about its relationship with Academic Institute. Butch Goncharoff is banned from coaching in Washington State 3. A high school state football championship in Texas is arguably about more than just temporary bragging rights. The Bellevue football program was placed on a three-year probation last year for two self-reported violations, which allowed KingCo to hand down more severe sanctions. Among those, Freeman said Goncharoff directed him to attend the Academic Institute instead of studying at Bellevue. "They also discovered that there was a small school within the school called the Academic Institute, which was privately funded by a lot of the boosters to give educations to students who were struggling. The western-themed student section brought the energy all night, and the Wolverines did not disappoint. It hid and manipulated scientific and medical research and evidence to hide the price their players were paying on the field due to head injuries. The community was stunned. Due to state-wide ref shortages, the Wolverines trip to the jungle at Mercer Island High School was moved from Friday night to Thursday. Im already excited for next week. JV plays at Lake Washington on Monday 9/26. JV Head Coach Danny Salonen was upbeat after the game, we never like to lose games like this, there are plenty of fundamentals on both sides of the ball that need cleaning up, but I cant imagine a better opportunity for our young guys and newer players to play a ton of football. And because it's now going to be subject to many lawsuits, there's going to be huge pressure and there should be huge pressure to reform the entire structure of state high school sports. Updated: 7:13 PM PDT July 8, 2016. To tear down this whole organization is a crime. The NFL is the big example. Final score 42-0. Theyre going to find you. Or, at the very least, put on administrative leave along with the schools athletic director until a thorough investigation is has been completed into the financial records (who paid what) and academic record of Academic Institute Inc., in Bellevue. The silver lining from one of the biggest scandals in Texas high school football history is the number of players who went on to continue their football careers in college. The team should have to forfeit the championships it won. They were outlandishly gravy training on their 17 or 18 year old kids football ability. Now we have to keep the focus going next week for playoffs.. Luke Scoma wins it for Bellevue with his 43-yard field goal in Wolverines' 22-20 win over Lincoln of Tacoma in Class 3A quarterfinals. You do what you can to give your kid a leg up because you want him or her on a path that maybe you werent on.. That loss was an eye-opener, as Bellevue dominated in every aspect of the game against our team. Following the varsitys team lead from Friday night, the Wolverine JV got things going quickly with several big runs by sophomore Matt Reed, and the race was on. The Academic Institute was briefly involved in a athletic district investigation after the family complaint, but no one from the school spoke to investigators. The players were ejected from the game, suspended and an investigation launched. They recently had a 67-game win streak snapped in the state championship game last December. "The Bellevue High School football cheating scandal is 'American Greed' at it worst.". The players spent 75 days in the districts alternative school after the incident. Then, on Monday, the JV took the field north of the lake, against the Bothell Cougars. The Academic Institute has a monthly tuition of $1,750. And booster club President John Connors told supporters over the weekend that litigation may be necessary to protect the program. Once you address these issues, thenlets talk about a level playing field.. Come one, come all! There are plenty of opinions during the aftermath of an investigation that found the Bellevue High School football team engaged in potentially illegal recruiting tactics, but one common thread is a lack of shock. Bellevue school officials have previously told Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff that the district will seek to terminate him for violations of district policies. At least two families of football players received tuition assistance coordinated by the teams wealthy supporters, according to interviews and documents.