bellevue high school football scandal bellevue high school football scandal

The Bellevue High (Seattle) football team is reportedly aided through a diploma mill private school, according to an investigation by The Seattle Times. Following the string of robberies, six players were sentenced to prison with terms ranging from two to 25 years. This fake news reporting in the media hammered down on the program until the program was literally ripped apart at the seams. 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. Two former teachers told the Times the Academic Institute doesnt adhere to basic educational standards. Players need a 2.0 GPA with no more than one failing class to compete athletically. A talented Wolves team got out to a very fast start and never looked back, and the Wolverines found themselves on the wrong end of a running clock in the second half. Get the days top sports headlines and breaking news delivered to your inbox by subscribing here. A judge has sentenced 10 current and former high school athletes to prison terms of up to 25 years for their roles in numerous armed robberies in the Dallas area over the past year. 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. I think the system is prone to corruption. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook), (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook). Thanks to state-wide referee shortages, the Wolverines had to reschedule their weekly Friday night appointment to Saturday. Rescind the championship titles, and ban the team from any post-season playoffs for five years. The Wolverines will face Snohomish High School, at home this Friday, in the Week 10 Crossover round. Varsity takes the field this Saturday (10/8) at Juanita, at 7pm, while the JV will face Juanita at home the following Monday. Often it would be well past dark by the time he returned home. It feels quaint to sit back and watch an old rerun of Friday Night Lights and see some rally girl doing Tim Riggins homework, or a star player finding a mysterious envelope with cash in it. This is a public high school and a strong message needs to be sent that this type of practice cannot be tolerated. Rantz is much less critical of the Bellevue parents saying that, assuming the allegations are true, putting a student in the position to gain a college scholarship is a noble pursuit. Daniels got the second half rolling with his fourth house call of the game, and Luke Scoma added a late field goal to give the Wolverines a 44-13 win. 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. Now we need to do it again! Saint Mary's guard Logan Johnson knows both sides of the Zags-Gaels rivalry , "It should be an awesome environment": Gonzaga's WCC title hopes depend on outcome vs. Gaels , Gonzaga rewind: Ben Gregg continues to thrive in expanded role, helps Gonzaga thump San Diego , Daily marijuana use raises risk of heart disease by 34%, study indicates, 'Growing up I can say I fell victim to being a Gonzaga fan.' I am also the father of a high school varsity athlete. Among those, Freeman said Goncharoff directed him to attend the Academic Institute instead of studying at Bellevue. The Times uncovered 17 instances. Like many expectant mothers, Miranda Kekauoha had a plan. In 2003 Thiel wrote the definitive book about the Seattle Mariners, Out of Left Field, which became a regional bestseller. This will essentially kill the football program. What sanction to impose if they will not resign in disgrace? Every sport has its dark side and high school football in Texas is no exception. Freeman met with a reporter on two separate occasions at a SeaTac restaurant. The parents confirmed in their letter that they received financial support, but said they properly requested aid from the school. Their punishment is that they will never be remembered well. Food, Drink, and Coastal Christmas Anacortes has it all. Usain Bolt defeats Justin Gatlin, defends 100-meter title. After two rigorous non-conference games, Bellevue kicked off KingCo 3A conference play this past Friday night against Liberty High School of Renton. An Auburn woman has won the $754.6 million Powerball jackpot. New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory, Back on top: Bellevue beats Kennewick to win 3A state title behind William Wangs 243 yards, Bellevue runs over Marysville-Pilchuck to return to state football championship game, William Wangs career night lifts No. The Bellevue grads on staff are Jake Hiller (2010, offensive line coach), Morgann Richey (2014, offensive line), Ryan Gilbert (2015, defensive backs), Jack Michael (2015, defensive backs), Matt Gilbert (2012, defensive coordinator), AJ Kneip (2016, offensive line/strength coach), Miles Carlson (2016, defensive back), Quinn Sullivan (2018, linebackers), Joe Razore (1997, offensive coordinator), Cam Johnson (1999, wide receivers), Peter Nguyen (2009, wide receivers) and Jojo Connor (2010, quarterbacks). That would be a likely violation of rules that generally require student-athletes to live within a schools attendance boundary. Coach Kneip said after the victory, Amazing atmosphere tonight!! They happen to go to a private school that doesnt offer a (football) program.. The schools don't want to arm the WIAA with investigatory powers. 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. It was a back and forth affair from the beginning that saw the Wolverines take a 21-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. Weve seen a couple of surveys about Seattles happiness rating, one shows us near the top for happiness, and one has us closer to the bottom. Some prominent college football players are named in the report as having been cycled through The Academic Institute. The Bellevue booster club in a statement early Tuesday expressed disappointment with the sanctions. The players reportedly got the steroids from a dealer named Big Mike who was a fitness trainer. Sat Nov 26 L . In January of 1991, after the UIL completed their investigation and the legal battle ended, Dallas Carter was stripped of their title and Converse Judson was named the 1988 5A champions. If our society didnt place such a level of importance on winning at all costs, this type of thing wouldnt happen. Goncharoff got a slap on the wrist, just a two-game suspension for providing cash to a player when he should have been suspended for the season and the school banned from post season play. I have been watching professional and college sports for more than 40 years, and have been covering college football for Last Word on Sports for two years. The WIAS must close this loophole immediately, conduct a comprehensive investigation into the 17 Bellevue High School football players who were offered a distinct advantage over other high schools in the state and should take the following action if there is one shred of evidence of chicanery: 1. Updated: 7:13 PM PDT July 8, 2016. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Texas HS Football State Champions: 1920-2022, 2022 3A Fan Vote All-Texas High School Football Team, TXHSFB Podcast Championship Edition: Benjamin Mustangs, 2022 2A Fan Vote All-Texas High School Football Team, Texas HS Football Fan Vote Player Of The Year. Photos: William Wang powers No. After the half, the BHS offense really got rolling, including a 44-yard TD run from junior Blake Teets, a 24-yard TD run from sophomore Ryken Moon, and a screen pass from Razore that junior Cal Zimmerman took 21 yards to pay dirt. Three players robbed a Jack in the Box, two star players robbed a video exchange at gunpoint and walked away with $256 and robbed a mexican restaurant taking $11,000. The KingCo Conference came down hard on Bellevue High School football Tuesday, banning the embattled program from postseason play for four years, prohibiting outside donations for four years and tightening oversight of incoming transfers for two years. Im typical Bellevue fashion, the JV Wolverines matched Bothells two big plays with long, methodical drives and stifling defense. The defense continued their stifling business, while the offense added a 27-yard Lucas Razore-to-Hogan Hansen TD, and a 39-yard Daniels TD run, leading to a comfortable first quarter lead. The KingCo Conference is a 16-team conference [and] their athletic directors decided some fairly draconian punishments. The investigation was prompted, in part, by an exposure in the Seattle Times last summer that found an underbelly of fraudulent academics, illegal recruiting and of course, money. 5. This booster club raised more than $427,000 in 2013 according to the Seattle Times investigation. This was wealth gone greedy., Bellevue football report put asterisk on winning record. The most successful and the private schools are usually those that get accused. An investigation into the allegations by the Dallas Morning News led to the school investigating the claims as well. Freeman said he may have misunderstood the conversation about rent and that it was possible Goncharoff had only worked to help the family find a place to rent in Bellevue. Go re-read this story, and you will have your answers. The Bellevue High (Seattle) football team is reportedly aided through a "diploma mill" private school, according to an investigation by The Seattle Times . And that lofty tuition bill? The players reportedly said the refereewas using racial slurs and said they were instructed to hit the ref by their coach, Mack Breed. Breed initially denied any involvement, but in December of 2015 pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury, was placed on probation and gave up teaching. Brady rolled through the playoffs that year up until the state game beating Belton (66-8), Taylor (30-8), Jasper (24-0) and Palacios (22-0). Earlier this week, the Bellevue School District requestedan investigation of the football program by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, which governs prep sports in the state. November 4, 2022. Bellevue Independent Schools announced it has canceled the rest of its high school's football season due to multiple injuries on the team. 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. With their sights set on a state championship run, the Cowboys began preparing for the playoffs. 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. Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff was suspended two games for "improper out-of-season activities" and for providing money to a player. But the programs remarkable success has depended, in part, on players who werent actually Bellevue High students. Bellevue school officials have previously told Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff that the district will seek to terminate him for violations of district policies. 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. Ask yourself these questions while you scan the details: Where in the name of all that is right were the parents? Head coach Butch Goncharoff has been fired. John Connors told supporters over the weekend that litigation may be necessary to protect the program, Seattle Times story detailed how numerous Bellevue players had taken classes at The Academic Institute, a private alternative school. Armstead is also in the New York Giants Ring of Honor. Edwards was sentenced to 16 years and never played another down of football. 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. The team has won 11 state championships in the last 15 seasons. But many of those accomplishments are in jeopardy, because of a scandal that has now reached the punishment stage. That would be easy. One family complained their son was told his scholarship at the Institute would be revoked if he stopped playing football at Bellevue. The Wolverines found paydirt early and often, ending the first quarter with a 280 lead, eventually taking a 35-0 lead to half. Rather than worry about imposing sanctions, it is more important that the Bellevue School District starts to do the right thing, going forward, meaning itneeds to replace the coaching staff, probably shun the booster club, and start exercising control by hiring a head coach who is also a teacher within the educational system., What sanctions are appropriate for people in positions of authority supposed role models for kids when they actively participate in or turn a blind eye to corruption and then do everything in their power to impede legitimate investigations? The families of two other players have described how supporters of the football program had a role in coordinating scholarships for the players. 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. The uproar began and a legal battle quickly ensued. 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. Junior Carson Rubin was the first to take the spotlight two long runs and two TDs got BHS on the board in Q1. The Academic Institute has a monthly tuition of $1,750. 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. Part of Darien Freemans account, however, is corroborated by documents reviewed by the Seattle Times. The movie portrayed the girls as ruthless in their quest to run the school. Instead, athletes became eligible to play for the football powerhouse by traveling to a Bellevue office park for classes at an obscure, 40-student private school: The Academic Institute, Inc. A high school state football championship in Texas is arguably about more than just temporary bragging rights. We asked our fans to vote for the 3A Players of the Year for Texas HS Football Podcast: Championship Series. The following Monday, the Bellevue JV had their first home game of the season, hosting Juanita. We love to see the kids have fun and play ball. And oh, by the way, how is it fair that a public school has limits on the geographic locations of its players homes,but private schools players can live anywhere? And booster club President John Connors told supporters over the weekend that litigation may be necessary to protect the program. Mercer Island Football Booster Club President, 1988-89. Published: Oct. 14, 2022 at 6:55 PM PDT. But, after a brief email exchange, they let it drop. "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. Lots of work to be done to get where we want to be, though. Latest Updates. Video Highlights of State Championship New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory Just one play into Hazens opening drive, senior Joel Schneider made an acrobatic interception, which moments later led to a sight thats become the terror of KingCo 3A: an Ishaan Daniels long run and touchdown this time from 63 yards. 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. On the shoulders of some hard running by junior Carson Rubin and sophomore Ryken Moon, a long reception by senior Ishaan Daniels, and a heaping helping of stingy defense, Bellevue took a 47-7 lead to the locker room at half time. The Bellevue High School administrators who allowed this to happen should also face the loss of jobs or demotions. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid . 2023 ABG-SI LLC. More of the money went to pay for school; the kind with no real academics. 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.. Students at a private school without a football team can play for a public-school team in their home district. Yes, they broke the rules to get them on the team. Nobody is talking about the kids who lived in-district whose spots were taking by athletic carpetbaggers., Sothe investigation found that, among other things, Bellevue boosters paid tuitionfor some players to attend an alternative school (just like many kids do) in order to receive instruction, compatible with their learning styles,that they needed to improve their academic standing. The state high school governing body, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), is looking into whether state titles need to be stripped and further sanctions imposed. Bellevue High School has the most successful football program in state history - winning 11 titles in the last 15 years. Its no surprise that we tend to have a lot of conversations about entitled young athletes. Thiel said the complaints have been leveled at the Bellevue High School football program for years, but the scandal erupted after an investigation by the Seattle Times last year. That was released a few months ago. It taught them how to succeed and prepared them for the future. In the second half, the Highlanders were haunted by a flurry of big plays on special teams and defense, by the Wolverines. And a large percentage of those kids were athletes," Thiel said. Five days after bringing home the state title, a string of events began that would blemish the reputation of the Dallas Carter program. BHS cheated its own eligible students of playing. The second quarter was the Carson Rubin Show, as he added 10- and 35-yard TD runs, and even a two-point conversion, helping the Wolverines take a 26-6 lead to the locker room. 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. HOME 5-1 AWAY 4-1 NEUTRAL 0-1. A native of Southern California, now living in North Carolina, he has been working in broadcast, print and digital media for nearly 30 years. Great highlight video The ref denied any use of racial slurs during the game. In an article about how Bellevues success was aided by a small private school, Freeman, 20, told the Times that he lived in four different cities during his years with the Bellevue football team Sammamish, Bellevue, Auburn and SeaTac. Medicare open enrollment is here and SHIBA can help! to Bellevue so college recruiters will notice you; its absurd., An independent investigation found a series of potential violations on the Bellevue High School football program. 2023 Bonneville International. Bellevue High School football is banned from postseason play for two years 4. The final report did not mention the Academic Institute. Im so happy and proud of all of them. 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. By, Its almost like a cult. Activists shout down rural renewable energy projects, Amazon pauses construction in Virginia on its second headquarters, Dam owner guilty in field turf pollution of Puyallup River, First auction held for licenses to pollute in Washington, How this year's Selma Bridge Crossing could mark a community renaissance, Russia's foreign minister gets laughed at over Ukraine remarks at a global conference, Students learn lessons on climate change, pollution through raising salmon. Earlier this year, one family complained that an assistant coach threatened to revoke their sons financial aid at Academic Institute if the student didnt continue playing football at Bellevue. The second half would be spent in running clock, ending in a final of 54-13. The western-themed student section brought the energy all night, and the Wolverines did not disappoint. The players were ejected from the game, suspended and an investigation launched. The Bellevue High School football cheating scandal is American Greed at it worst! McKinney North Principal Linda Thret was the mom of one of the Fab Five and eventually resigned due to mounting pressure over her lack of discipline with the group. Even private schools require the students attend classes at that institution and make the grades to play, not go to a strip-mall diploma mill., The Seattle Times closes comments on particularly sensitive stories. The Times uncovered 17 instances of Bellevue players who attend the Academic Institute, a small private school which does not offer football, in the last seven years. If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences in relation to this story, please email the reporter or. Voted as the KING 5 Sports Big Game of the Week, the 4-2 Wolverines once again headed north on 405 for a KingCo 3A showdown, this time with the 4-1 Lake Washington Kangs. They recently had a 67-game win streak snapped in the state championship game last December. If that wasnt enough, the main boosters involved are discussing suing the conference over the penalties and coach Goncharoff says he has been set up. Top-ranked 3A Wolverines get all they want for three-plus quarters, but Wing-T (342 rushing yards) generates big fourth-quarter scoring plays to pull away. Lake Washington Windows and Doors is a local window dealer offering the exclusive Leak Armor installation. All Rights Reserved. Washington state wants to be a leader in climate change, but I sense that the voters are not as concerned about that these days. SEATTLE An independent investigation into the Bellevue High football team uncovered "significant and long-standing violations" of state sports rules and extensive evidence that the team's. Bellevues head coach and athletic director be fired immediately, 2. "It was discovered that there were athletes competing under false addresses in the Bellevue district. While parents arent specifically mentioned in these allegations, ONeil says they would most certainly be involved in these violations and are also culpable. Last year, after a Seattle Times story detailed how numerous Bellevue players had taken classes at The Academic Institute, a private alternative school that former teachers described as a diploma mill, the school district called for an independent investigation.