Prep Zone

By William

October 13, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

I would like to see the other cases that the GHSA ruled on for ineligible players. We may think this is nothing, but rules are to be followed. Gwinnett County Schools have so many rules for our children it’s ridiculous. If we are holding are children to standards, then this goes for sports as well. I am proud of North Gwinnett football team, and it would be awful for them to forfiet games because of this rule. They should lose two games behind this violation, not all of them. Who was the hater that told GHSA.

By Mitch

October 13, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this

It’s unfortunate in this politically correct environmment that rational thought and common sense has been taken out of the schools. Zero tolerence is an easy way out for cowards. No one person has to make the hard decisions, they just state the “rules.” I have no dog in this fight (no pun intended), but it is really a shame that an honest mistake which alledgedly had no impact on any games(if that is true) does not allow the best teams to compete on the field.

By 01'Wildcat

October 13, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this

I can completely sympathize for the N.Gwinnett football “players”, not for whomever is at fault(administrators/coaches). Its a huge tradgedy when your season is spoiled by people who are supposed to look out for you and be your roll models.

By Clark Hill

October 13, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

Thanks Mr. Bunn, I whole heartily agree. I was the first football coach at North Gwinnett, 46 years ago this fall. We practiced but didn’t play a schedule until the next year.

The player, in question, enrolled in NG before this school year started and should be eligible for the current season, if the proper paperwork was submitted. To take these games away from North would be a shame. They haven’t cheated anyone and have won all their games on the field. For goodness sake give them a chance to finish what they have started.

If a mistake was made please don’t punish the players that have worked so hard to get where they are this season. Give the school administrators and coaches a reprimand and leave the kids alone, they won these games.

Wishing North the Best, Clark Hill

By Clark Hill

October 13, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

Thanks Mr. Bunn, I whole heartily agree. I was the first football coach at North Gwinnett, 46 years ago this fall. We practiced but didn’t play a schedule until the next year.

The player, in question, enrolled in NG before this school year started and should be eligible for the current season, if the proper paperwork was submitted. To take these games away from North would be a shame. They haven’t cheated anyone and have won all their games on the field. For goodness sake give them a chance to finish what they have started.

If a mistake was made please don’t punish the players that have worked so hard to get where they are this season. Give the school administrators and coaches a reprimand and leave the kids alone, they won these games.

Wishing North the Best, Clark Hill

By Howard

October 13, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

As a former teacher and coach in Georgia…and now living happily in retirement down here in Florida, it pained me to see the GHSA hasn’t changed a bit since my days up there. That bunch is as stodgy and unmoving and illogical as the NCAA and that is saying quite a bit. Take a look sometime at the GHSA by-laws book which schools and coaches have to follow…you almost need a freaking law degree to understand the blasted thing. Sadly, North Gwinnett will probably lose their case and they will probably forfeit a bunch of games…maybe all of them. Depends on which ones the kid played in…also, I wonder if they were turned in by another school? GHSA members are notorious snitches on one another…almost as crooked as politicians ratting each other out.

By dewey

October 13, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this

Mitch, well said. Unfortunately the right thing will not happen on Tuesday. Small minds will win out and the games will be forfeited. This is our new society at work. A Collins Hill adult making a report because of jealousy. Do you think this adult has a clue on what happened in Korea. Probably not. To involved with HS football

By Chris

October 14, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this

The most ironic thing is that in the games that North Gwinnett actually had to fight for - such as the Brookwood game - the player in question didn’t get a chance to play since he was just a mopup player. If North wasn’t so good this year, it’s likely that they wouldn’t have had to forfeit as many games as they did.

Even ignoring the lack of fairness to the kids on the North Gwinnett team, it’s not fair for whoever the Region 6 #1 seed is going to be, assuming North makes the playoffs as the #4 seed (the only mathmatically possible seed they can receive, barring an impossible set of upsets by very weak teams). That’s right, a Region 6 team that worked through the whole season to play against a #4 seed that had nothing to do with this whole thing gets screwed because they now have to go against one of the best teams in the state in the first round.

This ruling doesn’t just hurt one school, it hurts many. It’s almost shameful that this is allowed to happen. I understand that the argument is that if we do not enforce the rules for something “silly” like this, then it will be easy to abuse the rules. But the funny thing is, the intent of the rules are so easily broken if the proper forms are submitted that they have no point, and the only time teams are actually harmed are during complete accidents because “recruiting” is done legally through the very system that was put in place to prevent it.

By Zamboni

October 14, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this

How many families rent an apartment in the Brookwood and Parkview districts for the address so their kids can play for the school. This is okay and legal per the rules! Tuesday will prove once again the backwards mentality of Georgia High School football and the people associated with it. I would like to see North refuse to play in any more games the rest of the season if they are forced to forfeit games. A point must be made. GHSA needs North more this year than North needs GHSA.

By Tim

October 14, 2006 12:50 AM | Link to this

Thank you for the great commentary Mr. Bunn. I hope you keep the pressure of the press to change GSHA. The GSHA has to change the way the do business, and look for real violators of the rules.

PLEASE KEEP THE PRESSURE ON….THE GSHA MUST CHANGE

By Tim

October 14, 2006 12:51 AM | Link to this

Thank you for the great commentary Mr. Bunn. I hope you keep the pressure of the press to change GSHA. The GSHA has to change the way the do business, and look for real violators of the rules.

PLEASE KEEP THE PRESSURE ON….THE GSHA MUST CHANGE

By Tim

October 14, 2006 12:55 AM | Link to this

Thank you for the great commentary Mr. Bunn. I hope you keep the pressure of the press to change GSHA. The GSHA has to change the way the do business, and look for real violators of the rules.

PLEASE KEEP THE PRESSURE ON….THE GSHA MUST CHANGE

By Eagle_Nation_Rules_This_State

October 14, 2006 03:01 AM | Link to this

This is a metro Atlanta high school issue. I have no idea how you guys believe this is going to be cleaned up without the GHSA taking a hard line. It doesn’t seem as though the GHSA is to blame.

Someone had to turn them in (blame them). Someone at North Gwinnett obviously decided that they were above the rules (blame them). NGHS also believes that an AJC writer will tug on everyone emotions and present a great “this is for the kids” story.

I agree. The players are not responsible. However, NGHS’s athletic dept. is totally responsible. The spin about reading a driver’s license and assuming everything was OK is totally ridiculous.

NGHS and fans all over GA complain about Parkview and Brookwood recruiting. So, the GHSA come up with a policy—there was even a committee created to address the issue to help clean up football and basketball. Now, Curtis Bunn, North Gwinnett, posters, and coaches arising from the dead want the rules bent for NGHS. Interesting.

As for North Gwinnett being such a great team that it is going to create a competitive disadvantage, give me a break. This Cinderella story is ended once this “untested” team plays any AAAAA team from south of the Gnat line. I guarantee it! I wish Northside-Warner Robins had an opportunity to run up the score on these guys.

By Eagle_Nation_Rules_This_State

October 14, 2006 03:17 AM | Link to this

I find it amazing to actually read what Clark Hill wrote. The rule is understood by every athletic director in the State. If they don’t know,have questions, or the wording is too difficult to understand any AD can call the GHSA and receive an easy explanation. North Gwinnett did not do this. North Gwinnett obviously took short cuts and obviously made some mistakes, which it seems they admit.

Now, North has the nerve to pull an AJC PR sympathy campaign and make this about kids. This is not about kids. This is about adults—coaches, ADs, Booster in metro Atlanta that cheat all of the time. This is about so many metro Atlanta schools blatantly cheating that the GHSA had to create some guidelines (they are not even strict compared to other states across the nation).

Now, North fails to comply with rules and the school administrator (who is supposed to be an example) is going to lead a giant appeal and “encourage” an AJC sportswriter to take up his cause. You have got to be kidding. This is a great lesson for the players and students at North (what happens to them when they don’t follow North’s rules).

Clark, what do you suggest that the GHSA do? Simply look the other way because North is finally winning. My suggestion is that North recognize the mistake. Understand that the punishment is clear. Accept that punishment and move forward. I wish there was a stiffer punishment for any school, in a similar situation, that would try to fight it.

Otherwise, the sympathizers for schools that break and bend transfer rules will always win. This cycle will never stop. This does not affect North so much that they will not reach the playoffs.

I am a Northside-Warner Robins fan. Trust me, being ranked #1 at the end of the regular season means nothing. If North is the best team (I seriously, seriously doubt it) they will win in the playoffs. Their seed is irrelevent.

By RP

October 14, 2006 05:45 AM | Link to this

Eagle_Nation, did you look at the punishment the GHSA could hand N. Gwinnett? A forfiture of 4 region games would drop their record to 1-4 in region play and would all but completely take them out of the playoffs, not giving them a chance to play your precious Southern GA teams.

I agree with the premise of Bunn’s article that the punishment should fit the crime. If indeed an administrator at N. Gwinnett dropped the ball on ensuring player eligibility, the GHSA needs to investigate the circumstance surrounding the infraction - no matter what the school and what the record is.

In this case you have some sort of transfer deadline missed where a simple form would have made the player eligible. If the intent of the rule is to deter recruiting practices, then let this case be judged and decided on that intent. Seeing as how the player in question is a reserve (“mop-up”) player, I highly doubt that it was school’s intention to recruit this player for the benefit of the team’s record (no disrespect to that individual player).

Again, what is the point of even having an investigation into the infraction if you are not seeking a weighted, fair judgement on the matter? Should the GHSA decides to impose the maximum penalty on N. Gwinnett (which I find unlikely, though I know no precedent on cases such as these), then there is really no purpose for such an investigation panel.

By bobby

October 14, 2006 06:12 AM | Link to this

All you rules are rules people would be the first to complain about getting caught speeding 5 mph over the posted limit. Don’t punish the hard work of the players when the AD is responsible. Fine the school, community could have a fundraiser to make money. The AD could wash cars, I’d line up for that (the players get free car wash)!

By Lil Red

October 14, 2006 07:01 AM | Link to this

Our Dawson County Softball girls team has been stripped of it’s entire season due to an ineligble player. They finished the season is first place in their class, but all games they won (they were unbeaten) were ruled ineligble due to one player that was short a half a credit. This was a clerical error on the part of the High School staff and no fault of the players, but the players will pay the price. Is it fair to the players? No, but the way the rule is written, the staff cannot be punished so the entire team will be.

By MAC

October 14, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this

The punishment should fit the intent and the impact of the “crime”. In this case, the intent was not to circumvent the rules and impact was zero on the outcome of any games. Mandatory sentencing is for felonies, not misdemeanors. Forfeiture would be a miscarriage of justice.

By joel

October 14, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this

Eagle_Nation, this has nothing to do with being ranked number 1 or 50! This is keeping things in perspective. What should the punishment be for this administrative error? Do you think the forfeiture punishment is appropriate for the entire team? What lessons will the boys take away from this ruling? I will take away that it is the small minded individuals who live for HS fotball from Brookwood, Parkview, parts of South Georgia and middle Georgia that are behind this investigation. How dare North have a better record than us!! Lets remember that this is only High School Football.

By just a kid

October 14, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

The kid thats in question was on third string… What could he have done to score points?… Did he intercept the ball on the last play to win the game…? NO! The coach knew they were going to win and didnt want to totally stomp out the other team so he gave other kids play time. The sad thing is he didnt even need to put him in… I guess collins hill showed north Gwinnett. You got to be cut throat to win. A very good lesson to show your kids….

By Pharaoh

October 14, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter if the player is an “impact” player or not. The rules were put in place to stop the recruiting and transfers that occur every year in football and basketball. It is not a rule put in place singling out Brookwood or Parkview. It covers the entire state. The fact that the rules were not followed needs to be investigated. Collins Hill should not be vilified for reporting the violation. That is what they were supposed to do. No one in S. Ga. cares, or at least they shouldn’t. Whether NGHS is ranked 1 or 50 they should be held accountable for their transgressions. Colleges are held to a standard to follow the rules, and are punished when they don’t. It is sad that the football team should have to pay for it, but that should have been taken into account at North when the player transferred. The players have acquitted themselves well on the field of play, and are rightly ranked number one at the time. If the GHSA rules against them, then they should play on, take pride in the wins and learn from the losses. The players should come away with pride, knowing that nothing they did contributed to this event. Hopefully, the administrators at North will learn that they need to complete all of the requirements for a student transfer. If the GHSA rules for them, it will send a message to all of the schools in the state that the rule has no teeth and a return to the wild west recruiting mentality will occur. I don’t care which way they rule, and if North continues to play like they have they would be sorely missed in the playoffs. It is not about the kids, it is about following the rules.

By ELLE

October 14, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

You guys that singled out “Parkview” and “Brookwood” are a trip!

If “Parkview” or “Brookwood” broke the rules you would be yelling… “TOO BAD!!!”

Now… because it is NOT… you want to just fine them, or NOT take away the games.

I feel badly for the players, who are legally on the team… but, the rules are the rules! Anything that varies for this infraction would be “FRAGANACLE BULL!!!”.

IF the rules apply for ONE SCHOOL… they apply for ALL SCHOOLS!!!

By mesue

October 14, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

First of all give credit where credit is due. That was a Great editorial Curtis. I am glad to see you write a piece about a Gwinnett County school and be negative and especially not mention the P word. That said, You did do the right thing Curtis but the SOUTH GA people sure didn’t miss throwing in the P and B wordsand oh yes, the claim that both P and B RECRUIT.

First of all we are not talking about the Quarterback whose older brother played at CHHS. We are not talking about a game changing every down playmaker. We aren’t even talking about a football game or team. When you get down to it we are talking about Ralph and his GHSA mophia doing what they always do. Anything they want to do to please themselves. It is Ralph’s imitation of being God. Most likely the penalties have been chosen and the appeal doesn’t really matter. That is afterall what Curtis said and most of the blogers said also. Let’s all get one thing straight though. This is not about North against South GA HS Football. It is not about P—-V—- or B——W—- having anything to do with any of this. It is about one player and his parents and the North Gwinnett Administrators and Coaches doing what they were suppose to do. When it is all said and done the only one this will hurt is the player in question. He is the one every other player and student will blame for their possible perfect season being wiped out by Lord Ralph.

Oh, Eagle Nation - the last two times I saw you playing that P school form Gwinnett County you were on the L side of the score. Could it be that there is still some annimosity there????????? Get over it !! igh School Football is just that, HIgh School Football. To be played by the HIgh School players and enjoyed by everyone. Nothing that happens Tuesday will change the World.

By mesue

October 14, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

Sorry Curtis - I meant NOT be Negative!!

By Jimmy

October 14, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

As as student at North Gwinnett, the entire community is simply waiting for Tuesday’s ruling. We have over 2600 students in our school, all wanting a ruling in favor for our school. While an error was indeed made this season, North Gwinnett staff is claiming that the transfer was legal despite the report made from the Collins Hill fans. No one knows for sure what went on between the administration of North Gwinnett High School and Collins Hill: the two schools disputing over the one student’s transfer.

I personally wouldn’t be surprised if EAGLENATIONRULESTHISSTATE is supporting the Eagles: Collins Hill Eagles. As staunch rivals of the Bulldogs, they would love to see us knocked down. The student in question practiced with Collins Hill and is now a backup player for North Gwinnett, not a difference maker.

In any case, the players at North Gwinnett have worked hard for their wins and have proved themselves. There is debate over our rank in the state, sure, but you cannot say that North Gwinnett hasn’t proved themselves. We are proud to be ranked number one in the state and whatever ruling comes on Tuesday, we will continue to win football games.

By Fred

October 14, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this

Your column ends with regret, “So barring some really dramatic and persuasive testimony, we’ll have a new No. 1 come Tuesday afternoon.” But why should the GHSA decision determine who is number 1? It’s not their ranking, is it? And if the one(s) who determine the rankings still think that NG is the best team in the state, why can’t they leave them there? Just because GHSA says games are forfeited doesn’t mean you have to live by that for the purpose of your poll. It would be a good protest that could be kept up until an appropriate time in the playoffs.

By bill

October 14, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

Another Shining star for Public Education and High School Sports. Collins Hill should feel good about themselves. Put your school and coaches egos ahead of what is right for all of high school sports. Question for Collins Hill? Would you have the same passion in complaining if your star academic student transferred to North? This student with a potential SAT score of 1600 will help Norths overall SAT scores while lowering Collins Hill. Once again petty complaints by small minded individuals. Way to go Eagles!!!!!!!!

By Joy in teaching

October 14, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

The white GHSA Handbook isn’t that difficult to understand. While I feel sorry for the kids on this fine team, the rules are the rules. The rules have also been in effect for several years. When I used to coach (before most student records were computerized), I literally spent hours making sure my forms were filled out correctly just to prevent problems such as this.

It seems to me, that the adults who made this mistake should own up to it and accept the ruling gracefully. This is a time to teach not only the players on the team but the rest of the school that when one screws up, one should accept the results gracefully.

By just a kid

October 14, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this

RULES!!!RULES!!!RULES!!! Its football let the best team win…the was no recruiting involved…Do you not see this…Let the kids play and have fun. Does anyone believe in sportsman ship anymore…be a graciuos winner and a gracious loser…quit crying and except it.

By justme

October 14, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this

Zamboni,Brookwood has no apartments to rent in the district, there is not one apartment complex in the district so I guess no one does that in Brookwood to play.

By Seminole

October 14, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

Great comment Fred

Whatever happens on Tuesday keep NORTH as #1.

There is a precedent to keeping a team #1, even after forfeits. Seminole High (out of Florida) baseball team was still #1 in the USATODAY national rankings at the end of the season. After forfeiting over 20 games because of a transfer paperwork problem.

AJC…keep NORTH #1

By MAC

October 14, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this

Pharoah talks a good game but makes no sense. The NCAA has similar rules and the violations are evaluated on their merits based on INTENT and IMPACT. Why should HS football be any different? This is a minor paperwork issue and should be dealt with in a minor way. No harm, no foul. GHSA needs to check their ego at the door and deal with this with some common sense.

By zamboni

October 15, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this

justme, Wake up have you never heard of houses to rent. How about rooms to rent. All you need is an address so a driver license can be obtained. I live in the Collins Hill District and I am aware of a family who rented a home in your district.

By andy

October 15, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this

I agree. Keep North at number one! If they continue to win, they will prove themselves the best team in the state, regardless of what the tightwads at GHSA decide. It is ridiculous to think that because of a minor paperwork issue with no obvious malicious intent, a team that will probably end up with one or more losses may surpass in the polls a team with a perfect season on the field. Keep the AJC polls focusesd on what happens on the field, not in a boardroom!

By Gwinnett Mom

October 15, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

I don’t wish bad on North Gwinnett but somebody dropped the ball. My son transferred to a Gwinnett school from a private school that is over 100 miles away, and both the football and basketball coach made it clear to us that he needed to be approved by GHSA before he played any varsity sport at their school…We needed to send in offical original paperwork that had been filed in Superior court plus other stuff. If the rules apply to us…they must apply to everyone else.

By Big Pa Pa

October 15, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

As a person that loves the sport of football, as a coach & as a proud Norcross football player parent, I do not believe the North Gwinnett team should be penalized. The one responsible for his team is the head coach. It is his duty to make sure all his players are eligible, not just his stars who are going to win games for him. I’m sure this will anger the parents of those star players who work hard everyday, but ask some of the parents who’s kids are at practice everyday most of the time working harder then the stars. When practice is over, who carries the equipment in? Not the star players. And the coach’s stand by and don’t say a word. Go ahead, ask those parents if it’s right to penalize, any of the players, let alone thiers, who never get to play. Ask them if it’s fair. In all truth, they know it’s not. So do not penalize the players, (and I mean all the players) for the neglected duties that fall upon the shoulders of every coach in football anywhere. North Gwinnett, Keep up the great season, and good luck. Keep in mind, We at Norcross are rooting for you all the way. even if we are coming after you also.

By NorthGrad

October 15, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Big Pa Pa….you are Big. Thanks for your support. No one should be punished for someone else’s mistake. The players should fight for their wins on the field and the person responsible, and being paid to do the paperwork, is the one to pay the price for not taking care of his job if that’s the case. I hope the GHSA uses common sense in their decision to send a good message to all players in the state. “When you work hard and play with your heart and soul — and win on the field — you deserve that win!!”

By FairNSquare

October 15, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

Right on Curtis! The time has come for the GHSA to get right on these things. Whether it’s North, Central or the girl’s softball team we’ve read about here, it surely appears that the mistakes have been made by the administrators (Athletic Director), not the players. This is the AD’s primary responsibility in a high school environment. This kid played a few minutes, not even sure if he shows up in ANY stats. Folks don’t be naive either about the “do-gooders” at Collins Hill. Their AD was an administrator at North, maybe an ax to grind? Combine that along with the on-field whooping they took. There surely were a whole lot of folks upset with Coach Sherrill after North pounded them; questioning his offensive strategy etc. Their fans were questioning why the Tamburos left Collins Hill years earlier. Perfectly legally too! Collins Hill certainly has something to gain in this.

Finally to Curtis’s point; we live in a country and a culture that is based on fairness. A punishment may need to be handed out. A fine or censure to the offending parties sure seems to be a lot more fair than punishing players who take care of their business on the field as sportsmen. For those of us in the “real world”, you screw up on your job you are held accountable. You can’t blame your staff, or your co-workers. Well, you might get away with that for awhile but eventually it blows up and we have an Enron to clean up. There were hundreds of innocent employees, investors and vendors that got hurt in that unfairly. Let’s hope we don’t have a hundred plus young men and a community hurt because the GHSA can’t punish THE offending party.

By justme

October 15, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

zamboni, I am awake but you said an apartment. If I lived in Collins Hill I guess I would do the same thing because Collins Hills is not a great place to play. But it takes money to rent a house for a house in Broowood and not many can afford two homes. I was just stating that Brookwood does not have apartments FYI. Just wanted to stir you up and it worked thanks. But regaurding North rules are rules and Tuesday will be here soon and what ever decision is made will stick. If they have to forfiet the kids and parents should be mad at there coaches for not following rules and policies. They are there for a reason.

By alliemarie

October 15, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

Speaking of the spirit of the rules: I will never forget when my son was not allowed to be put on the High School All Star Baseball Team because our coach had not paid his Coaching Association dues…$15 if I remember correctly. Sounds unbelievable, but it happened. I fought to get that rule changed and I don’t think another child was denied the privledge of playing on a High School All Star Team..baseball or otherwise, because a coach failed to pay his “Coaching Association Dues”. To a high school senior this is huge!! Not only the honor, which the kid has earned and deserved, but also the exposure and possibility of being seen by colleges for scholarships. Also, there were records set that should have been entered in the High School Record Book that never were.

By alliemarie

October 16, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

Why can’t a public site be created, on the internet, so that ANYONE: parents, students, coaches, athletic directors, principals, GHSA members, etc. log in and CHECK the status of a transfer student? If you are involved with your child, school and community you KNOW if a new student has moved in. Nothing would change as far as procedure and paperwork but it would, at least, create a safety net and help prevent a situation like this from happening again. Personally, I think every student/parent needs to have a copy of the rules of any activity the student may be involved in. It is nice to know what will happen in an overtime game, what the tiebreakers are for ties within a region, etc., etc. If we have to live by the GHSA rules let’s learn them…and make sure our school is following them. If we take a mistake and learn from it we are moving in the right direction. Isn’t that what we teach our children? Take advantage of this opportunity and demand some type of checks be put in place to avoid this situation ever happening again to a Georgia High School or student. Otherwise, it could be you or your school next season.

By NJC

October 16, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

What is truly sad is that if North were having an average season we’d never know this happened. And for those who have gotten on their soapbox about following rules and being role models, who are you kidding? Your team was probably one of North victims, so you see a little bit of revenge in this. If North is forced to forfeit games it will be a travesty, not justice.

By Truth Hurts

October 16, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this

I agree with Gwinnett Mom. The rules apply for everyone, not teams who have an undefeated season, best record in 46 years. Rules are rules! The GHSA has set stiff penalties and they need to enforce them or other teams will do this. North Gwinnett is a strong power house but this year they broke the rules and they should not be given any breaks. I feel bad for the kids but the rules are the rules. And football is a team sport!

By alliemarie

October 17, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

Does anybody know how many GHSA appeals have been won in the last 25-30 years?

By NGJ

October 17, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

In ‘77 Valdosta won an appeal to have forfeited games restored when they were ranked #1 in the state. That is the only successful football appeal that I am aware of, but I’m not that educated on the matter.

Also, during my football playing days (‘98-‘01) I transfered between three Gwinnett school districts during summer workouts. According to this by-law I would have been ineligible in three of my four seasons, seeing as I didn’t file any “hardship exemption” but I guess those schools never won enough to have our roster scrutinized.

I wouldn’t be surprised at all to find that a majority of these growing Gwinnett schools played ineligible players over the past few years according to this by-law.

By alliemarie

October 17, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

Thanks NGJ. Wonder what Valdosta presented to win their appeal? Is there no notification sent from GHSA to the individual high schools/principals/ad’s giving an approval or denial of a transfer student’s status? Yeah, you may be one for the books with your number of transfers! Guess there will be a decision this afternoon on NGHS.

By Dericc Anderson

October 17, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this

My name is Dericc Anderson and I just want to say that the GHSA is horrible. I am happy for the kid at NG and I am happy that their team will not have to forfeit any games, but I am now in that current situation. I play for the Osborne Cardinals in Marietta, Georgia and I have been sitting out for three games and I have filled out and gathered together all the neccesary paperwork that is needed for me to be eligible to play. The GHSA has not even taken the time to discuss my situation and now I am out until November 7th or at least I will not be seen until November 7th. Our last game of the season is on November 10th and that will leave me with one game to play if I am okayed and while this is all going on I am not even allowed on the sidelines to see my team play. My team has only won one game and that game was forefitted yesterday. I am a senior so this is my last season and I am spending it in the stands watching my team lose. This hurts and my reasoning for moving is all fine. I am being labeled as a migrate student when I have only attended two high schools and Osborne is being one of them. The GHSA is horrible and I am very displeased.