bellevue high school football scandal

Lots of work to be done to get where we want to be, though. 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. A player for Stamford, Wendell Robinson, lived in the towns fire station and continued to play for the school after his parents moved away from Stamford. Mercer Island Football Booster Club President, 1988-89. The final report did not mention the Academic Institute. KingCo reviewed sanctions that Bellevue had proposed for itself in the wake of a 68-page independent report that found wide-ranging rules violations within the program. Published: Oct. 14, 2022 at 6:55 PM PDT. 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. How did parents move into a new apartment and never pay a dime of rent and never ask how that came to be? It's finally come to a head. Senior running back William Wang rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns to lead Bellevue to a 3A state championship win over Kennewick on Saturday afternoon at Sparks Stadium. The SHIBA program part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner is ready to help with your Medicare open enrollment decisions. The investigators report and your editorial finally nailed it.. Im already excited for next week. JV plays at Lake Washington on Monday 9/26. The players reportedly got the steroids from a dealer named Big Mike who was a fitness trainer. Stamford had little trouble in the playoffs with wins over Quanah (43-13), Cisco (32-22), Denver City (14-0) and Olney (15-7). 56-0 win over Juanita! As reported by the Seattle Times, which has led the investigation of the Bellevue scandal throughout, the Bellevue program made at least $175,000 in payments to on leave head football coach Butch . 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. Armstead is also in the New York Giants Ring of Honor. Coach Kneip on the game, We had a great, physical week of practice, and it really paid off. The deluge culminated in a 34-0 halftime lead for BHS. Bellevue footballs promotion of a culture of cheating is a broadly understood fact. The schools don't want to arm the WIAA with investigatory powers. 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 . The families of two other players have described how supporters of the football program had a role in coordinating scholarships for the players. Sports news, analysis, opinions, and rumors. Blame needs to fall primarily on Bellevue High School. Later, a traffic citation was issued to a Yusef Freeman with an address in SeaTac. Coach Kneip said after the victory, Amazing atmosphere tonight!! His older brother became vice president of the teams booster club. Many would perhaps have fallen through the cracks had it not been for the help they received when it was obvious to coaches they needed a little boost. 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. The second half once again belonged to the youngsters and up-and-comers, who finished strong to the tune of a 56-14 victory. Team supporters have battled the Bellevue School Districts decisions. 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. Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Washington is one of the most successful high school football programs in the country, with 11 state titles in 15 years, a 67-game winning streak covering some of that period and a national footprint that has had them playing on ESPN . All told, a 42-0 first half lead. 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. 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. Members of the booster club have criticized the investigation, which was conducted bytwo former federal prosecutors hired by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). On BHSs ensuing possession, junior QB Lucas Razore found Ishaan Daniels in the flat, and Daniels scampered 30 yards for the Bellevue score. In addition to prohibiting the Bellevue football program from receiving donations, the KingCo committee said: Bellevue is not allowed to play any nonleague football games and will be limited to Class 3A league games for two seasons. There's just too much 'go along, get along' over the years. This was wealth gone greedy., Bellevue football report put asterisk on winning record. 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. Art Thiel is a co-founder and writer for the rising sports website Sportspress Northwest. Or that they never had homework from that school? 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. "It was discovered that there were athletes competing under false addresses in the Bellevue district. Junior Carson Rubin was the first to take the spotlight two long runs and two TDs got BHS on the board in Q1. OVERALL 9-3 0.75 Win % DISTRICT 6-0 1st3A KingCo. The Times found at least three instances in which families of players attending the school were either given financial assistance by the team's boosters or didn't pay for the tuition themselves, a violation of state athletic rules. The players were ejected from the game, suspended and an investigation launched. Brazen Family-Central Bar + Restaurant,520 Bar and Grill, The Brazens - Windermere. "That report will be forwarded to the WIAA, which will adjudicate the punishments and will allow Bellevue High School a chance to appeal.". Brick by brick!. Adults knew this was going on for years. And we wonder where entitled athletes come from? If our society didnt place such a level of importance on winning at all costs, this type of thing wouldnt happen. Bellevue Highs 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. 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 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. Accepted a Bellevue resolution that it will not renew contracts for two years of coaches who violated the WIAA rule that stipends and gifts of more than $500 must be approved by the school board. Bellevue High School offered a Physical Education program (football) not offered by this sham institution. Fire and fine all involved. While parents arent specifically mentioned in these allegations, ONeil says they would most certainly be involved in these violations and are also culpable. 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. All the coaches involved should lose their jobs and be required to return any money they received that was above the amount they were legally entitled to. Im typical Bellevue fashion, the JV Wolverines matched Bothells two big plays with long, methodical drives and stifling defense. 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 . Rescind the championship titles, and ban the team from any post-season playoffs for five years. In 1959, Stamford defeated Brady 19-14 in the state championship. The KingCo Conference report, released earlier this week, said that while players were illegally recruited to play for Bellevue, some used false addresses to be eligible within Bellevues residential district. We asked our fans to vote for the 3A Players of the Year for Texas HS Football Podcast: Championship Series. That would be easy. 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 I found this story on USA TODAY High School Sports and wanted to share it with you: There are no legitimate answers to those questions. You can read the Times' entire investigation here. I think the idea behind high school sports is pretty genuine if you get together and you play sports with the kids you grew up with.. Tony has been with Last Word on Sports for six years covering college football around the country. Among the violations, the 68-page report found thatplayers families provided false address to gain eligibility and that head coach ButchGoncharoff encouraged players to attend classes at a private alternative school where some of the players tuition was subsidized by the programs booster club. "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. Students at a private school without a football team can play for a public-school team in their home district. 5 Marysville-Pilchuck on Saturday in the early game of the Class 3A semifinal doubleheader at Memorial Stadium. Mostly because they were too busy taking advantage of the whole in the system for their own benefit. Department of Commerce officials say communities will need diverse housing options in the future as well. Now we have to keep the focus going next week for playoffs.. 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. I have known athletes who have told of offers made by colleges. The KingCo Conference is a 16-team conference [and] their athletic directors decided some fairly draconian punishments. Until 1968, Washington state allowed restrictive housing covenants. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps is the traditional American response to anyone who complains about his lot in life. There are many changes that should be made but they will never happen because our society places much more value on their teams winning than they do on oureducation system., This incident underscores what happens when booster clubs are permitted for specific sports and when those clubs put their own egos and insecurities above the appropriate life lessons to be gained and promoted from participation in school activities. We love to see the kids have fun and play ball. Jones began coaching at . This will essentially kill the football program. 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. Bellevue is a public school district. 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. We only care where they live., They are not our students, he said. Bellevue has also been the subject of a nearly year-long investigation by the KingCo Conference, the league governing body for high school athletics in King County. 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. The blatant efforts by school and district officials to obstruct the investigation demonstrate their complicity in cheating, their utter disregard for the truth and their complete lack of integrity. Among those, Freeman said Goncharoff directed him to attend the Academic Institute instead of studying at Bellevue. KingCo left the question of whether Bellevue should forfeit state titles up to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Latest Updates. Get the days top sports headlines and breaking news delivered to your inbox by subscribing here. The Bellevue High (Seattle) football team is reportedly aided through a "diploma mill" private school, according to an investigation by The Seattle Times . The Bellevue athletic department is on probation for four years. Goncharoff built Bellevue into a football dynasty. 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. A third player whose family couldnt afford the steep tuition said he attended Academic Institute for two years without knowing who picked up the tab. Freeman met with a reporter on two separate occasions at a SeaTac restaurant. Despite the short week, the Wolverines came out fast against a spirited Islander squad, thanks to TDs from Ishaan Daniels, Carson Rubin, and Kaden Matsudaira, culminating in a 35-0 halftime lead. 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. Bellevue will be on bye this week, ahead of a Week 9 home game against Hazen to finish off the regular season. Staff reporter Mike Baker contributed to this report. The conferences action sets a precedent that should raise a red flag to everyone, the statement said. Bellevue High School football is banned from postseason play for two years 4. They were outlandishly gravy training on their 17 or 18 year old kids football ability. The parents confirmed in their letter that they received financial support, but said they properly requested aid from the school. Jones has filed an unfair-labor-practices complaint with the Public Employment Relations Commission. 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. Bellevue High School football is banned from postseason play for two years. If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences in relation to this story, please email the reporter or. 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. In its findings released a few hours earlier, the KingCo committee: Found a preponderance of evidence that Bellevue illegally recruited athletes to the school and coordinated payments for athletes, and that Bellevue failed to self-report money provided to players families. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal. 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. HOME 5-1 AWAY 4-1 NEUTRAL 0-1. Make it hurt. If youre retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you! These are the kinds of challenges we look for., Then, this past Friday, the Wolverines made the long drive up to Lake Stevens High School, home of the preseason 4A #1 Vikings. 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. Teen football player tackles suspected shoplifter, Ross: The latest attempt to undo a national embarrassment, Ross: Changing the climate of mental health is a bill away, Ross: A national divorce isnt the solution, but some people should move, Ross: If the American system rewards hard work, cancel student loan debt, Ross: Fentanyl-smoking passengers on light rail present huge danger, Ross: Two less crooks to worry about in downtown Seattle. However, the school often had no teachers in the classrooms; little, if any homework was ever given, and the players received full class credit. A KingCo committee came down hard on Bellevue football Tuesday, banning the program from postseason play and prohibiting outside donations for four years. Bellevue junior Cal Zimmerman (#8) scores a touchdown as Snohomish seniors Miles Lamb (#8) and Easton Leonard (#24) attempt to tackle. 1 Bellevue back into 3A state semifinals: 4 observations, Week 11 Playoff Matchups - Bellevue 42, Lakes 21, (Nov 12, 2021), This website is powered by SportsEngine's. With their sights set on a state championship run, the Cowboys began preparing for the playoffs. 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. Good kids and families participated in Bellevuefootball, but there were also some people who stepped over the line. Brick by brick!. 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. She has worked in news radio for more than 30 years. The uproar began and a legal battle quickly ensued. Wangs 64-yard burst up the middle with four minutes left gave the top-seeded Wolverines (14-0) the winning margin. Plenty of things we need to clean up for next week, though. But KingCo officials saw Bellevues problems as requiring more severe sanctions. A series of three books describing the storied history of the Bellevue High School Football program, and the investigations that surrounded the team from 2006 to 2018. 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. Top-ranked Bellevue defeated Marysville Pilchuck, 27-3, in the 3A state football semifinals on Nov. 27 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. The No. Court records from an eviction case also show a Yusef Freeman was renting an apartment in Sammamish in 2009. All rights reserved. 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. Theyre going to find you. 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. Bellevue has 12 buildings taller than 25 stories, 10 of them built since 2005. Due to state-wide ref shortages, the Wolverines trip to the jungle at Mercer Island High School was moved from Friday night to Thursday. At least 17 Bellevue football players attended the program over the past seven years, the Seattle Times has learned. They recently had a 67-game win streak snapped in the state championship game last December. For more high school stories, stats and videos, visit http://usatodayhss.com. Bellevue football players worked hard thats how they won. 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. Any booster associated with this mess be banned from any financial or booster club membership for two years. When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. Lake Washington Windows and Doors is a local window dealer offering the exclusive Leak Armor installation. How did parents never ask how their kid had so much walking around money? For a paltry $1,750 tuition per month, these student athletes supposedly got academic help. Recent newspaper headlines should bring the immediate firing of Butch Goncharoff, Bellevue High School football coach. Every sport has its dark side and high school football in Texas is no exception. The players spent 75 days in the districts alternative school after the incident. During that conversation on Sunday, Freeman reaffirmed the other aspects of his account. Butch Goncharoff is banned from coaching in Washington State, 3. Its no surprise that we tend to have a lot of conversations about entitled young athletes. Bellevues head coach and athletic director be fired immediately, 2. "This is the most successful athletic program in state history and it's being torn down. Kirsten Kendrick has been hosting Morning Edition on KNKX/KPLU since 2006. 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. I am old enough to remember corruption being the norm in the old Southwest Conference: fake jobs, hundred dollar handshakes and far, far worse. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. You cheat, you steal, you lie. 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. 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. We love the playoffs, Coach Kneip said postgame, this is the best time of the year, and were ready to get after it!. 710 ESPN Seattles Danny ONeil thinks the parents are misguided. Final score: 48-14, Bellevue. ', "The Bellevue School District said only one charge was valid and that was the compensation to Goncharoff, and so they recommended his firing. And I think the only thing that can be a positive is major reformation. Players attend the school for academics but are allowed to play football at Bellevue if they live in the proper district. "They also discovered compensation to the head coach, Butch Goncharoff, of $60,000 a year that was well in excess of what the standards are for high school coaches.". In 2003 Thiel wrote the definitive book about the Seattle Mariners, Out of Left Field, which became a regional bestseller. But many of those accomplishments are in jeopardy, because of a scandal that has now reached the punishment stage. 1 Bellevue past No. The Academic Institute existed in a strip mall not far from Bellevue High. The following Monday, the Bellevue JV had their first home game of the season, hosting Juanita. This decision is unfair to the players who are the heart and soul of this program. It was a reminder of the Wolverines glorious past that got them fired up this week thanks to comments from Marysville-Pilchuck star running back Dylan Carson that fueled them for Saturdays matchup. Comments (-1) BPS Summer STEM Camps. The Bellevue football story became national news in 2016 as false accusations of recruiting by the twelve-time state champions and 2012 national champions took center stage. Next week, both teams face a tough and up-and-coming Lake Washington team Varsity on Friday at LW (7pm), JV on Monday at home (7pm). 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. The scandal rocked the affluent community and brought awareness to steroid use by teens. 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. These efforts were and are fully within the rules., The boosters vowed to continue to fight. Onside kick with less than 2 minutes to go to setup Scoma winning field goal (Photo credit - Pete Caster / The News Tribune), Luke Scoma converts a must-have onside kick, then boots the game-winning field goal in the reigning Class 3A champions' 22-20 state quarterfinal victory over Gabarri Johnson-led Lincoln of Tacoma, A cadre of Lincoln defenders take down Bellevue running back Blake Tests during the first quarter of a Class 3A state quarterfinal game on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at the Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma, Wash. PETE CASTER Pete Caster / The News Tribune Read more. 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. 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. Video Highlights of State Championship New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory 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. Next stop for the Wolverines (13-0) is the state championship game the Gridiron Classic versus Kennewick at noon on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. It should not be about winning at all costs to include cheating by parents. These findings only corroborate what is probably the worst kept secret in the history of high school sports. 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. The Wolverines will look to keep extend their conference win streak next week, at home, against the Knights of Newport. Michael Kneip coaches his alma mater and is bent on restoring its football greatness. 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. "I would say the rules are loose. Location: Bellevue . I think that theres a lot of different layers to understanding exactly what is going on., Related: Teen football player tackles suspected shoplifter. 1 Bellevue back into 3A state semifinals: 4 observations 9 Rainier Beach into WIAA 3A state semifinals, William Wangs career night lifts No. 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. If youre a Pac-12 talent, you are going to jump off the page at recruiters, he said. With the pregame celebrations and hugs finished, the Wolverines wasted no time getting down to business. In the second half, the Highlanders were haunted by a flurry of big plays on special teams and defense, by the Wolverines. Set the playing field equal, limit the activity of booster clubs to support supplies and travel costs.