Story
Eligibility violation could put Pahokee football's playoff hopes in jeopardy
Monday, November 02, 2009
by
Jason Lieser
An apparent eligibility violation could jeopardize the Pahokee football team's playoff hopes and its undefeated district record.
A violation occurred when a player who was not academically qualified played against Cardinal Newman on Sept. 25, Athletic Director Tom Mejia said. School officials self-reported the incident to the Florida High School Athletic Association after discovering it. An FHSAA source confirmed Monday that the violation was reported by the school and that there will be a ruling Tuesday.
If the FHSAA forces Pahokee to forfeit the game–a 41-0 district victory–the Blue Devils would drop from 5-0 to 4-1 in District 7-2B. They would then face elimination if they lose to University on Friday and Coconut Creek-North Broward Prep wins its game, also on Friday.
The player in question, a junior, is no longer on the team and did not dress for any other games, Mejia said Monday.
Student-athletes must maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A grade change bumped the player in question's average from 1.8 to 2.1, but school administrators later discovered the change was incorrect, Mejia said. He said the student's grade in one course should not have been increased, thus the report indicating he was qualified was inaccurate.
Mejia said he met with Principal Ariel Alejo and Assistant Principal Michael Aronson the week following the Cardinal Newman game and they discovered the incorrect grade. The school sent a letter to the FHSAA and Cardinal Newman disclosing the violation.
"After we launched the inquiry, we saw some inconsistencies," Mejia said.
"Based on our interpretation of the rule book, we realized we made a mistake.
"I wish I would have known the full information and I would have avoided this. We don't do grade changes for athletes. That's not what happened here.
"This could have happened to any other non-athletic kid. It's a big deal, though, because the student is an athlete."
Mejia did not know if the teacher involved has been disciplined. Alejo and coach Blaze Thompson did not return messages seeking comment.
The FHSAA has a policy stating that any team that forfeits a game is consequently eliminated from the post-season, but a source said that will not apply to Pahokee (7-1) in this case because the school fulfilled its contract with Cardinal Newman by participating in the game.
If that win becomes a loss, Pahokee can still win its district by beating University.
"We were told about this today," senior De'Joshua Johnson said after Monday's practice. "We're not going to worry about it. We're just going to take care of University."
Lakeland-Kathleen had a similar violation in which an ineligible player played in six games. The FHSAA ruled those games as forfeits and dropped Kathleen from 8-0 to 2-6 and out of playoff contention. The school is currently appealing the ruling.
The Blue Devils have won three straight Class 2B state championships and five in the past six years. They beat University 45-6 in the second round of last year's playoffs and 62-0 to open the 2007 post-season.
User Comments:
Pretty sad commented on November 3, 2009 at 7:20 a.m.: flag
It's pretty sad that a student athlete cannot even maintain a 2.0 GPA. But it's all about football right? If this student is no longer on the team maybe he can now concentrate on his academics which he should have been doing all along.
Brain commented on November 3, 2009 at 7:55 a.m.: flag
I give the school credit for reporting the incident knowing what was at risk. We are all aware of many eligibility violations that never get reported even though they are brought to the attention of the school district's athletic department. Kudos to the Pahokee Adminstration and Athletic Director for being honest and reporting. You have earned my respect!
Knowledge commented on November 3, 2009 at 11:51 a.m.: flag
you think that is something, check and see how many pahokee coaches have there coaching certification.
Da Truth commented on November 3, 2009 at noon: flag
don't let the pahokee adminstration fool you they have been changing grades, doing football players work online and pocketing money for years, these are fact if they were to audited it would come out.
Knowledge commented on November 3, 2009 at 12:18 p.m.: flag
by the way check on pahokee coaches demetres hampton, ulrik t. williams, and ricky lammon. there are not positive role models for these kids. they gamble in the streets on blast avenue with Big Red, ricky lammon hero! its terrible that the parents of these athlete have blinders on! wake up parents and people of the muck enough already.
Gatorbern commented on November 3, 2009 at 5:33 p.m.: flag
Boy oh boy seems like a lot of emotion on this issue. I was researching Pahokee because I love football(high school included) and was thinking about coming out to watch a game(I just moved from Broward to WPB) but with all the negative stuff about grades, coaches and money. I am a bit leary of this place. Should I make the trip. Will I be in danger. Someone please let me know.
pk finest7 commented on November 3, 2009 at 8:16 p.m.: flag
Im a former pahokee player so for all yall stupid mother f******s that are talking s*it and dont know what goes on down here need to keep yalls mouth shut. First of all i want to start of with the coaches. coach Rick, doy and the rest of the coaches are all we got. The coaches are the only ones worried about our grades and making sure we make it, If it wasnt for them half of us would be up town with the rest of yall stupid mother f***ers!!! The grade thing is bull s*it they do help and make you do every thing possible to push you so you can pass.that part is true. If yall knew how to read you would see that they didnt change the grade just to change it, It was a mistake. yall can try to take us out of playoffs and make a bad name for us but at the end of the day we are still the blue devils and we play pahokee football.All this negitivite is going to do is make the players and coaches take it out on the rest of the teams they play.you think the 41-0 blow out they took away from us hurt us every one knows who won that game. if you think one person did that well then your just stupid. Everyone always trys to put pahokee and glades central down, but never can. F*** Mejia and Alejo if you think they are trying to do things for the pahokee players you are wrong!!!!!!!!! just look how they suspended 80 students from pahokee high 2 weeks ago from school after being late you think thats helping your kids,friends,and family your wrong!!!. that was just an easy way out for the kids to hang up town and for ( gatorbern ) if you dont come down here you are missing the best football played in fla and im sure you know that.
highschool player commented on November 3, 2009 at 8:34 p.m.: flag
i completely agree with pk finest7, i play football for my school and they are the most motivation for us, they collect our report cards and progress reports every term to make sure we're on track. and if we're not keeping our grades up they make sure we get tutoring. quit all the S**t talkin about pahokee, they're incredible athletes. and for gatorbern, watch the games, they're the best possible teams to watch, and if u make it to the muck bowl, it's an amazing thing because close to all those 22 players on that field playing are D1 athletes and u can't beat a highschool game like that.
Wise Kid commented on November 3, 2009 at 9:54 p.m.: flag
@ Da Truth, Fu** You! You should call yourself Da Liar!! Like I said Dumb A**, you are one of the haters, that grades was changed to benefit yourself. I feel bad that you didn't make as a Athelete, Your damn fault not mine. Stop hating and go join the FBI you fu***** snitch! My child does not benefit from grade changing, she doesn't play football sorry!!!! Go Blue Devils! Go Raiders!
sayWHAT!! commented on November 4, 2009 at 1:26 a.m.: flag
oh wow...oh wooooooooooooow.
Honestly, all jokes aside... this is not Pahokee's year.
This is "RIDICULOUS" commented on November 5, 2009 at 2:11 p.m.: flag
Hey Knowledge what makes you holy and endowed? I’m so sure that you are someone looking to place blame (because it may be your loved one who was ineligible). Despite of their many transgressions they are good at what they do! Williams, Lammons, and Hampton all dedicate themselves to that team and go above and beyond the call of duty to help them in any way possible. It’s not like there is a lot to do in the town; so what if they hang out on “BLAST”, I’m sure you or your child, niece, or nephew does as well! Take responsibility for your own actions and keep your house in order and maybe things will be better for you.
It’s so sad this article has nothing to do with “Big Red” and you find a way to tie him into the situation, give the man a break hater. That’s the problem with Pahokee, everyone focuses on the negative and concerns themselves with issues that don’t involve them; Stop showing everyone just how ignorant we can be (I say we because I am from PK) and start making a affirmative stride towards achievement.
Leave the people alone and start making your children do their work, study, and act like kids instead of wandering the streets, smoking, drinking, and making babies!
WTF**** commented on November 5, 2009 at 6:22 p.m.: flag
YALL PEOPLE CRAZY....
Raider05' commented on November 6, 2009 at 1:23 a.m.: flag
I dont really have no negative comment because 1, they are from the muck and aint nobody finna bad mouth the muck, and 2, why go against home, even though im a Raider, for one of those preppy high class schools on the coast? So ima say it like this, with or without that player, they were going to get smashed anywayz!
Insider commented on November 9, 2009 at 3:18 a.m.: flag
Everyone is needs to take a look and be completely honest. Grade changes at PHS has been going on for years. Coaches, administrators, and parents have gone to teachers and virtually begged for grade changes in order for the boys to play football. For the former players, maybe you dont fall in this category because you kept your grades up. As for the 2.0 gpa, this is a state required but it can be challenged at the school level. Schools like Suncoast, Dreyfos, and even GC have increased their GPA standards. If we expect little from our children that is exactly what they will give us. We have to rise the bar. As for the players, for you to say the coaches is "...all you got", this is sad. You have yourselves, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, pastors, and even strangers that have your back. You have to first love yourself, carry self-confidence, integirty, and pride. When the coaches are gone and you are off in school or life who will you depend on then. Seek GOD he is the answer.
This is "RIDICULOUS" commented on November 9, 2009 at 10:46 a.m.: flag
Beautifully written Insider!
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