ROME TOWNSHIP, Ohio Ƶ The Ohio High School Athletic Ƶsociation placed the Fairland High School athletic program on suspension and fined it $5,000 Monday for alleged recruiting violations in its football program.
The penalties ban Fairland teams from participating in post-season play in any sport for at least one year but wasnƵt specific in the length of the ban.
If, however, Fairland submits a corrective action plan that the OHSAA approves, the penalties could be reduced to two years probation with no post-season ban and a fine of $2,000. Fairland Superintendent Roni Hayes said at Monday nightƵs board of education meeting she hopes to submit the corrective action plan by Wednesday.
Fairland Principal Chad Belville said once the plan is submitted, he expects the OHSAA will render a decision within 24 hours.
ƵIt has to do with recruiting violations, student athletes recruited to play football,Ƶ Hayes said, noting that Fairland was never before investigated for athletic violations of any kind in its 65-year history.
The report containing the OHSAA findings has not yet been made public because it contains the names of three students whom Hayes said told OHSAA investigators that a Fairland coach recruited them last summer. Hayes said FairlandƵs attorney said the report might be released soon with the studentsƵ names redacted.
Neither Hayes, Belville nor board members Marvin Appleton, Jason Gorby, John Lewis, Gary Sowards or Matt Ward identified the coach accused of recruiting. Fairland head coach Rashad Jackson attended the board meeting, however, and maintained his innocence.
ƵI want to apologize to the whole community,Ƶ said Jackson, who led the Dragons this season to a 2-8 record. ƵIƵve been here for the kids. IƵm a good person. I never recruited a kid to come here. Those kids (in the report) couldnƵt pick me out of a lineup. I donƵt know those kids.Ƶ
Hayes said none of the students named in the report ever played or practiced at Fairland and only one enrolled at the school. The student since has transferred to a school in another state.
About 40 members of the community attended MondayƵs meeting and several, along with some of the board members themselves, were upset that the OHSAA didnƵt present what they called hard evidence such as text messages, emails, phone records or documentation that proved the alleged violations occurred. Some also alleged that other schools have been proven to have committed more serious violations and have received a less severe penalty.
ƵNo one played a down,Ƶ Lewis said. ƵYou look around the county at some of these other schools and. ...Ƶ
LewisƵ comment drew laughter before he could finish.
Ron James, a resident of the Fairland district and former state representative, questioned the validity of the OHSAA investigatorƵs report.
ƵIf I submitted something like that to my boss, IƵd have been fired,Ƶ James said. ƵThatƵs how incomplete it was.Ƶ
Sowards, the board president, said if Fairland violated rules, then it deserves to be punished but if not, the school doesnƵt Ƶdeserve a black eye.Ƶ
ƵIƵve been here 43 years with no cheating,Ƶ Sowards said. ƵFairland has a spotless record. There is no appeal process.
They made their ruling and we have to live with it. If we donƵt like it, they say we donƵt have to belong to their organization.
Our hands are tied, but the little bit I know, their case doesnƵt hold water.Ƶ
Sowards also said a corrective action plan the OHSAA canƵt help but approve will be submitted.
ƵOur kids not participating in all activities is not an option,Ƶ Sowards said.
Bob Cook, retired guidance counselor at Fairland, agreed with Sowards.
ƵIƵd hate to see the kids be penalized,Ƶ Cook said. ƵThatƵs not fair. They havenƵt done anything. If this happened, then somebody needs to pay the price for recruiting.Ƶ
Hayes offered few details of what will be in the corrective action report, but said it will include Ƶa considerable amount of education for our coaches regarding the rules and bylaws of the OHSAA.Ƶ
Hayes didnƵt say whether anyone named in the report will be disciplined.
