02/4/13 – Ebonite/KHSAA Bowling Championships This Week; Holy Cross (Louisville) Penalized For Bylaw 10 Violation; Regionals Approaching For Wrestling, Swimming & Diving

February 4, 2013 2012-2013 News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 4, 2013 

2013 Ebonite/KHSAA Bowling Championships This Week

The 2013 Ebonite/KHSAA Bowling State Championships will take place this week (Feb 7-8) at Executive Strike and Spare in Louisville. The two-day event begins Thursday, Feb. 7 with the Singles Championship. Doors open to the public at 9:15 a.m., with player introductions starting at 9:45 a.m. The field will be narrowed to the top eight individuals (boys and girls) at 12:10 p.m., with an awards ceremony scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Friday’s Team Championship begins with team introductions at 7:30 a.m. The girls’ team qualifying games will commence at 7:50 a.m., with the final team match slated for 12:15 p.m. The boys’ team competition is scheduled to begin at 1:35 p.m., with the championship match set for 5:15 p.m.

Admission to the event is $10 per day, or $15 for a two-day pass. For more information visit the Bowling home page at khsaa.org.
 

KHSAA Penalizes Holy Cross (Louisville) For Bylaw 10 Violation 

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has handed down sanctions for Holy Cross (Louisville) for violation of Bylaw 10. The breach of Bylaw 10 was the result of members of the Holy Cross football staff entering two non-enrolled students (public school students at a non-feeder school to HCHS) into school-based weightlifting competition and activities.

“Members of our new coaching staff involuntarily, and unknowingly, violated bylaw 10 from the KHSAA handbook,” said Holy Cross (Lou.) Athletic Director Jody Thornsberry. “Once the violation was brought to our attention, we immediately took the necessary steps to work with the KHSAA and rectify the situation.”

During its investigation, it was determined that the staff at HCHS had been misapplying/misinterpreting provisions of Bylaws 4 and 10 as it pertained to non-enrolled students. HCHS incorrectly made the determination that non-enrolled students who had taken the entrance exam for HCHS were to be considered part of the “feeder” pattern of the school as it relates to Bylaws 4 and 10, and all restrictions on participation would therefore be moot. While this completion of testing and elements of the application process allows for the administration to respond to communication requests for non-athletic information, etc., it does not allow for participation or sport-specific activity. Bylaw 10 stipulates that until officially enrolled at a specific member school (and no longer enrolled in a non-feeder pattern school) a student can not represent that member school in athletic activity.

Several sanctions were self imposed by HCHS including the suspension of the involved coaches (including head coach Todd Crumbacker) from the first five (5) spring football practice sessions in 2013; restrictions on attendance at events in nearby counties; and other required policy and training requirements for all coaches at the school.

Based on its findings, the KHSAA elected to hand down the following additional penalties on HCHS: Prior to the 2013-14 school year, HCHS shall submit written acknowledgement from each coach that the newly revised and KHSAA-approved Coaches Handbook has been reviewed by each coach and the expectations for compliance have been acknowledged. The football program at HCHS was placed on PROBATION and will remain on probation through the remainder of the 2013 season. The probation does not reduce the schedule or playoff opportunities for the team, but serves as official notice regarding further penalties if there are any violations within the program. HCHS was also issued an administrative FINE in the amount of $500 for this specific violation of Bylaw 10.

“As Commissioner, it is never easy to place sanctions on a school and potentially penalize young people, their families and school communities,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “However, the violations that have occurred are serious in nature and our member schools expect this office to investigate and administer the appropriate penalties that are prescribed in our bylaws when we have credible, detailed information.”

“I am extremely pleased with the cooperation of the athletics and administrative staff at HCHS. Even in areas where there was the potential for additional violations, but no proof that they had occurred, the administration was proactive in taking steps to eliminate opportunities where violations could be perceived. That leadership and the steps and penalties implemented will hopefully mean that they can successfully prevent recurrence even and especially in cases where they have personnel turnover,” Tackett concluded.

All questions and inquiries regarding this matter should be directed to HCHS.
 

Regionals Approaching For Wrestling, Swimming and Diving 

Regional competition for Swimming and Diving, and Wrestling will get underway this week as the respective state championships in each sport draw nearer. Regional Wrestling tournaments will be held Feb. 8-9 at eight sites, in advance of the 50^th KHSAA Wrestling State Championships, Feb. 15-16, at Alltech Arena in Lexington.

For a full list of the wrestling regional sites visit: http://khsaa.org/wrestling/regionmanagers.pdf

The Swimming and Diving Regionals will be held at five sites this week (Owensboro Catholic, Trinity (Louisville), Russell County, Covington Catholic, and Knox Central), leading up to the Pannell Swim Shop/KHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships, Feb. 21-23, at the Ralph Wright Natatorium in Louisville.