It still angers me that the depth and effect of one parents irresponsibility, and the Allegany County BOE refusal to do a proper check on something that most people in 2 states and 3 counties already knew. The MPSSAA total disregard for all the teams, schools, student bodies, bands, cheerleaders, and parents that has been affected by their decision. If FH or the ACPS are not at fault, then why are so many paying the price for ONE.
I agree with you but you also bring up a point that kind of argues against your own position. If most people in 2 states and 3 counties knew then how did not one person associated with Fort Hill, coaches, teachers, students...stop to think that maybe, just maybe something wasn't right and they should step forward and report it to the powers that be. I get that it's the BOE who is ultimately responsible but they didn't lie on the paperwork and I doubt they have investigative teams hunting down would be liars who send their kids to schools they don't belong in. Then it goes to the next level and I just have a hard time believing that ignorance is an acceptable excuse, even if it's not your job to question or inquire. Somebody knew, maybe a lot of somebodies, and they ignored it. The rule is the rule, and unless somebody makes a strong case for changing it you have to comply or pay the penalty.
Unfortunately for FH it doesn't really matter what the school knew. The ACPS BOE determines eligibility. When you get right down to it, if you are eligible to attend the school, you are eligible to play. The coaching staffs only recourse may have been to cut him from the team, (may have caused a problem if he was the only player cut), but they can't not let him try out. Again eligibility is determined by BOE. The administration can't turn down his enrollment. Got to remember most think he was ineligible to play football, he was really ineligible to attend FH. My spidey sense tell me that Alkire didn't play him in the first game, because he wanted reassurance from BOE that everything was in correct order. My senses also tell me that FH coaching staff was never comfortable with the situation and did report it to the powers to be. You are correct about rules being rules. My anger comes from all the people paying the price for something they had no control over, including Dunbar having to play on the road, also Alco having the possible path to the semis that Northern had. The forfiets created seeding problems for many teams throughout the state that had no involvement in the situation. So with rules being rules, they are usually created to keep things fair. I'm just not sure that everyone got a fair shake in this deal. Unfortunate for many.
could the school itself sue for lost revenue? They lost on 4 home games. That’s 4 games worth of concession stands, merchandise, 50/50, and gate money. I know the concession stand folks had placed a huge order the week of homecoming anticipating having home games through the playoffs
I heard something along those lines as well. My understanding is that the BOE was considering suing to recoup cost of BOE lost monies, including educating, and paper work process. No mention of reimbursing FH for any extra cost. I wouldn't mind hearing the real truth.
Wait... So if a hypothetical team played a 24-year old that the BoE approved, even though the coaching staff knew something was up, the team shouldn't be punished in any way at all?
Lots of people lost out on this deal. FH will need to travel in excess of 1200 miles over a 4 week period just to be able to appear in the state title game. (No guarantee) Parents, Grandparents, Student body, Band, Cheerleaders, etc. paying lots of time and money to experience their children's achievements. Lost revenue all around. Someone needs to be culpable!!
So in your hypothetical scenario, if the BOE deems a 50 year old Eligible to attend FH then FH cannot deny enrollment. Now on the other hand there is a rule in place that states an age limit on playing high school athletics. I said it before, I don't care what school it is. If the BOE deems a student eligible, he is eligible. The coach and the principal and student body could follow this kid home everyday with a video, and give it to the BOE it doesn't matter until the BOE acts on it. The school and coaching staff has no say in these matters. Hence anonymous tip. I got a pretty good idea who ANONYMOUS is. Oh and BTW I'm pretty sure the age verification is the responsibility of the BOE as well. Hypothetical's can sometimes bring clarity. Not so much in this case. Hypothetically FH never used an ineligible player. Remember the kid only saw the field with documentation from the powers that be that said Eligible, and never saw the field when the documentation from the powers to be said Ineligible. How about this Hypothetical, a player is failing math all semester, that player is still eligible until that grade posts. Once the failing grade posts, player becomes ineligible. Games he played are not forfeited although he was failing the whole season. We can do this all day. I get that rules are rules, but maybe this gives cause to look at some of the antiquated ways things are handled in the world we live in today.
Agree with you and can't wait until the whole story is revealed.
I for one am not disagreeing with you at all. Nobody should be exempt from repercussions if they knew about it and did nothing. Now if they reported it and it went unchecked then that's different. This whole thing about the BOE approving it but if they are wrong FH pays the penalty is a rule that seems to be unfair to the school, whether it's FH or anybody else.
