David R. Evans In the second half, the Highlanders were haunted by a flurry of big plays on special teams and defense, by the Wolverines. Here's the AP story SEATTLE (AP) - An investigation into illegal recruiting has resulted in the suspension of Bellevue High School's head football coach, Butch Goncharoff, and the team being placed on probation. Coach Kneip said after the game, great to see our men get out and have fun tonight, energy on the sidelines was awesome. 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. Recent newspaper headlines should bring the immediate firing of Butch Goncharoff, Bellevue High School football coach. Photos: William Wang powers No. Thanks to state-wide referee shortages, the Wolverines had to reschedule their weekly Friday night appointment to Saturday. "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. At least two families of football players received tuition assistance coordinated by the teams wealthy supporters, according to interviews and documents. The most successful and the private schools are usually those that get accused. Brick by brick!. Rantz says he doesnt blame the parents whatsoever. You cheat, you steal, you lie. Comments (-1) BPS Summer STEM Camps. 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. 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. Strip them of their titles going back to 2001. The Bellevue High School football team is one victory away from the ultimate return to glory. It should be a Homecoming to remember! But Notre Dame-bound RB Jayden Limar led a second half comeback, eventually closing the game out 37-28. At least 42 transfer students contributed to Bellevue's football team from 2008 to 2015, according to the report, for a program that has reached 13 Class 3A state championship games in the past. 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. 2023 Bonneville International. By: Logan Newman, https://usatodayhss.com/2016/bellevue-wash-expected-to-fire-coach-butch-goncharoff-cheating-scandal, Bellevue (Wash.) expected to fire coach at center of alleged football cheating scandal. We asked readers for their thoughts on what repercussions the Bellevue football program should face, as well as what the scandal says about high-school sports. KingCo left the question of whether Bellevue should forfeit state titles up to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). 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. 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. Bellevue High School football is banned from postseason play for two years. We love the playoffs, Coach Kneip said postgame, this is the best time of the year, and were ready to get after it!. 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. Fire them all immediately.. "It's not just Bellevue. "The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which is the administrative body that governs prep sports hired two investigators who produced a 68-page report that confirmed much of what the Times discovered as well as other things. Mostly because they were too busy taking advantage of the whole in the system for their own benefit. The Wolverines will face Snohomish High School, at home this Friday, in the Week 10 Crossover round. Bellevue's head coach and athletic director be fired immediately 2. Video Highlights of State Championship New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory That loss was an eye-opener, as Bellevue dominated in every aspect of the game against our team. On Thursday, the Bellevue High School self-imposed sanctions on its football program and head coach for violations of WIAA rules. Bellevue (Wash.) School District officials are planning to fire the head coach of the Bellevue High School football team, according to a letter sent to the coach by a top district official and . BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Bellevue School District officials and booster club members are fighting back against a blistering report that alleged recruitment violations within the Bellevue High. They said Goncharoff never gave the family money to pay for rent. Im so happy and proud of all of them. Bellevue High is an extremely successful football program. The Academic Institute has a monthly tuition of $1,750. If our society didnt place such a level of importance on winning at all costs, this type of thing wouldnt happen. However, the school often had no teachers in the classrooms; little, if any homework was ever given, and the players received full class credit. The Times uncovered 17 instances. Bellevue can appeal the sanctions to KingCo principals within five school days, then can appeal to the executive board of the SeaKing District and ultimately to the executive board of the WIAA. Video Highlights of State Championship New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Bellevue High School football coach Butch Goncharoff told the school board Tuesday that an investigation of the football . We asked readers for their thoughts on what repercussions the Bellevue football program should face, as well as what the scandal says about high-school sports. Good kids and families participated in Bellevuefootball, but there were also some people who stepped over the line. Brazen Family-Central Bar + Restaurant,520 Bar and Grill, The Brazens - Windermere. 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 Bellevue High (Seattle) football team is reportedly aided through a diploma mill private school, according to an investigation by The Seattle Times. Often it would be well past dark by the time he returned home. Bellevue football players worked hard thats how they won. Bellevue will be on bye this week, ahead of a Week 9 home game against Hazen to finish off the regular season. This isnt just about high school sports. 2021 State Champs! Carter High . Staff reporter Mike Baker contributed to this report. It's finally come to a head. In 2009, along with Steve Rudman and KJR 950 afternoon host Mike Gastineau, Thiel authored The Great Book of Seattle Sports Lists, a cross between historylink.org and Mad Magazine that has become mandatory reading for any sports fan who has an indoor bathroom. The second half would be spent in running clock, ending in a final of 54-13. Food, Drink, and Coastal Christmas Anacortes has it all. Agreed with Bellevues conclusions that athletes used false addresses to gain eligibility, and that payments were made to coaches without approval from the school district. 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. HOME 5-1 AWAY 4-1 NEUTRAL 0-1. Bellevue High School Football Share this Team > Regular Season . It taught them how to succeed and prepared them for the future. Now lets see a similar investigation into sports programs at every private high school in the state to determine just how many of their players parents are paying full tuition. The events took place under the watch of school district officials who conceded that discounted tuition for athletes would constitute a violation of state athletic rules, a district document shows. KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says it's a symptom of a much bigger problem.Media Probe. 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. Until 1968, Washington state allowed restrictive housing covenants. This fake news reporting in the media hammered down on the program until the program was literally ripped apart at the seams. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Yes, they broke the rules to get them on the team. But many of those accomplishments are in jeopardy, because of a scandal that has now reached the punishment 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). Later, a traffic citation was issued to a Yusef Freeman with an address in SeaTac. Have no fear, Bellevue Faithful, the East Channel Bridge rivalry is very much alive. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook) It's not a state agency. This type of illegal and unethical activity runs through sports programs at all levels. I am also the father of a high school varsity athlete. 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? BELLEVUE, Wash. -- While the Bellevue High football scandal gets sorted out, a forgotten casualty are the players who will experience the looming sanctions and coaching shake-up firsthand.Players . Mercer Island Football Booster Club President, 1988-89. Head coach Butch Goncharoff has been fired. The silver lining from one of the biggest scandals in Texas high school football history is the number of players who went on to continue their football careers in college. Final score, 59-0, BHS. At least 17 Bellevue football players attended the program over the past seven years, the Seattle Times has learned. Or that they never had homework from that school? In the end, nine football players at the school admitted to using over the counter steroid-like substances and prescription steroids. 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. To deny them the ability to compete with their peers is wrong and goes against every principle of youth sports.. This isnt a player finding $100 cash in his locker. Fire and fine all involved. "This is the most successful athletic program in state history and it's being torn down. Bellevue Independent Schools announced it has canceled the rest of its high school's football season due to multiple injuries on the team. Jones began coaching at . 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. They don't have subpoena power because this is a trade association. Hogwash! The NFL is the big example. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. 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. But many of those accomplishments are in jeopardy, because of a scandal that has now reached the punishment stage. Darien Freeman has not returned multiple messages left for him last week. 5 seeded Wolverines (8-2) walloped No. I am old enough to remember corruption being the norm in the old Southwest Conference: fake jobs, hundred dollar handshakes and far, far worse. Found a preponderance of evidence that Bellevue boosters paid the tuition of athletes at The Academic Institute. That was released a few months ago. While the Institute touts its focus on education at a full-time cost of $1,750 per month two former teachers label Academic Institute a diploma mill that doesnt adhere to basic educational standards. The startup funding should be part of the investigation. Now we need to do it again! A committee of athletic directors from KingCo cited in its report a preponderance of evidence that violations had occurred. 5. 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. 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 . Maybe there is some truth to some stories, and maybe it is just random speculation, but it is out there, usually in the private school arena. In the second half, Bellevue let their young guns get a taste of the MI rivalry under the big lights, and played out the remainder of the game under a running clock. "That report will be forwarded to the WIAA, which will adjudicate the punishments and will allow Bellevue High School a chance to appeal.". 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. 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. Its no surprise that we tend to have a lot of conversations about entitled young athletes. Following the string of robberies, six players were sentenced to prison with terms ranging from two to 25 years. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook), (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook). Plenty of things we need to clean up for next week, though. Sophomore Ollie Sharp, and freshmen Max Jones also found the end zone, en route to a 46-7 Bellevue win, capping their first JV tour in years. There's just too much 'go along, get along' over the years. Touchdowns by Daniels, Hansen, Rubin, Moon, Smith, and Matsudaira. 9 Rainier Beach into WIAA 3A state semifinals, William Wangs career night lifts No. 9-0 on the season, BACK ON TRACK! You can read the Times' entire investigation here. Tacoma WA 98418. He played for the New York Giants and Washington Redskins and was a five time Pro Bowl selection. I think the system is prone to corruption. Bellevue can appeal for that sanction to be reduced one year early. In both games, seniors Ishaan Daniels and George Kruger were standouts. Of the 24-23 loss, Coach Kneip said, Theyre a really, really well-coached, high quality program. To tear down this whole organization is a crime. Their punishment is that they will never be remembered well. Courtesy of Stephanie Ault Justus. This decision is unfair to the players who are the heart and soul of this program. Edwards was sentenced to 16 years and never played another down of football. The players were ejected from the game, suspended and an investigation launched. Any booster associated with this mess be banned from any financial or booster club membership for two years. 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. Bellevue High School has the most successful football program in state history winning 11 titles in the last 15 years. 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. Once you address these issues, thenlets talk about a level playing field.. The conferences action sets a precedent that should raise a red flag to everyone, the statement said. Department of Commerce officials say communities will need diverse housing options in the future as well. They were outlandishly gravy training on their 17 or 18 year old kids football ability. 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 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. The Wolverines will look to build on their learning from week 1 and 2 as they start KingCo 3A conference play against Liberty High School this Friday. June 29, 2022 Posted in kawasaki monster energy jersey. Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff was suspended two games for "improper out-of-season activities" and for providing money to a player. And booster club President John Connors told supporters over the weekend that litigation may be necessary to protect the program. 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. In its report to KingCo, the Bellevue School District acknowledged several violations of rules while disputing other aspects of the independent investigation. 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. Yusef Freeman did not return a call Friday seeking comment on his letter. 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. "Goncharoff, the booster club at Bellevue, and many people objected said 'No, this is all inaccurate. At the crux of the scandal is a well to-do family that made their money in the trash/waste management industry. We hear stories about competing schools. BHS cheated its own eligible students of playing. The uproar began and a legal battle quickly ensued. Tony has been with Last Word on Sports for six years covering college football around the country. Players attend the school for academics but are allowed to play football at Bellevue if they live in the proper district. The train wreck at Bellevue may be symbolic of much that is wrong with high school and college athletics and the creation of the entitled teenager and the grotesque flow of money into amateur sports. And the district has cut ties with longtime assistant coach Pat Jones. Some prominent college football players are named in the report as having been cycled through The Academic Institute. Goncharoff released a statement after KingCos sanctions were handed down. Go re-read this story, and you will have your answers. 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. The players reportedly got the steroids from a dealer named Big Mike who was a fitness trainer. 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. 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. 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. 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. Top-ranked Bellevue defeated Marysville Pilchuck, 27-3, in the 3A state football semifinals on Nov. 27 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. Sports news, analysis, opinions, and rumors. The Bellevue High football team is reportedly aided by a diploma mill private school. 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 . 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. In order to remedy the violations, the district had proposed a suspension of the teams booster club along with meetings, training programs and policy reviews to ensure rules are followed in the future. Arguably one of the best high school teams ever fielded in Texas, the 1988 Dallas Carter Cowboys were loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Lake Washington Windows and Doors is a local window dealer offering the exclusive Leak Armor installation. KingCo will have stricter guidelines and oversight for incoming transfer student-athletes for two years. State District . But the programs remarkable success has depended, in part, on players who werent actually Bellevue High students. It's the entire structure that needs reform and a lot of attention. 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. But the program's remarkable success has. In their opening possession, Carson Rubin zigged and zagged, dicing the defense with a 29-yard touchdown run. The win at all costs mentality, and the sad state of parents living vicariously through their childs athletic accomplishments, has put a pockmark on youth sports. Coach Kneip said after the victory, Amazing atmosphere tonight!! Unfazed by the less than hospitable conditions, the Wolverine ground game got to work against a stout Panther defense. That leads to what the money was used for. On November 10, the UIL shocked Dallas Carter and the entire state when they announced the Cowboys were ineligible for the playoffs. Bellevue High School has the most successful football program in state history - winning 11 titles in the last 15 years. 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. 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.. What is your main job as a parent? An investigation into the allegations by the Dallas Morning News led to the school investigating the claims as well. 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. 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. We depend on members for more than half of our financial support. 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. Michael Kneip coaches his alma mater and is bent on restoring its football greatness. 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. But KingCo officials saw Bellevues problems as requiring more severe sanctions. The Academic Institute existed in a strip mall not far from Bellevue High. The donors and contributors to this school should be identified. Bellevue footballs promotion of a culture of cheating is a broadly understood fact. With their sights set on a state championship run, the Cowboys began preparing for the playoffs. She has worked in news radio for more than 30 years. And the idea that you need to move from wherever you live Carnation, Concrete, etc. Butch Goncharoff is banned from coaching in Washington State 3. Final score: 20-14, bringing the JV to 1-1. If youre retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you! I found John Harrisons (former Mercer Island High School principal and now Executive Director of Bellevue Public Schools) comments to be cavalier; aiding and abetting a serious flaw in the system and, just plain very disappointing given his stellar career as a Mercer Island principal. He openly shared details of his high school experiences, saying he felt like the program was putting kids in a poor position to succeed after high school and that he didnt want to see the program have a negative impact on others in the future. In 1959, Stamford defeated Brady 19-14 in the state championship. If youre a Pac-12 talent, you are going to jump off the page at recruiters, he said. And because it's now going to be subject to many lawsuits, there's going to be huge pressure and there should be huge pressure to reform the entire structure of state high school sports. Hopefully something like that will come out of this mess.". Bellevue High School Football; Bellevue Football. The parents confirmed in their letter that they received financial support, but said they properly requested aid from the school. 1 talking about this.
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