PIAA District One - Hearing result - PASD

I received the following press release for publication.


PIAA District One


Memo

TO: Media
FROM: Rod Stone, Chairman
DATE: September 23, 2009
RE: Hearing Decision


A Hearing Panel of PIAA District One was convened at Upper Merion High School on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. to make decisions regarding a letter dated July 22, 2009 by the Phoenixville Area School District informing me of an “apparent violation of Article VI, Section 6, of the PIAA By-Laws”. Article VI is titled Transfers, Residence, and Recruiting. PASD reported a situation that “may indicate recruiting which is materially motivated in some way by an athletic purpose” by members of the Phoenixville Area High School basketball coaching staff, specifically Mr. William Detweiler and Mr. Kenneth Winston.

Testimony was heard from all parties extending more than 4 hours. The Hearing Panel met in an Executive Session to deliberate and returned to public session and presented the following motions:

Motion to find that PIAA Member School, Phoenixville Area High School was in violation of Article VI, Section 6, Recruiting based on testimony regarding the transfer of George Harper to PAHS. The motion included accepting the corrective actions specified in the July 22nd letter and including the additional penalties listed below specified in Article XIII, Penalties:

a. PIAA District One will issue a letter of public censure to PAHS expressing strong disapproval of the lack of appropriate administrative oversight of the interscholastic program at the school.

b. Place PAHS on probation for a period of four sports seasons (identified below) with the requirement of written reports from the principal submitted to the PIAA District One Committee following each sports season pertaining to these areas of concern:

i. Pre-season coaches meetings with an agenda that includes a review of PASD & PIAA policies.

ii. Verification by all coaches of attendance at the meeting, receipt of the information, and acknowledgment of their understanding.

iii. Attendance of all head-coaches at the mandatory PIAA rules interpretation meetings for all sports.

iv. Attendance by the athletic director at PIAA sponsored orientations and trainings, including the fall and spring District One all school meetings.

v. If budgetary support is available, attendance by the athletic director at the PASDA Annual Convention including applicable sessions on PIAA Rules and Regulations.

vi. Reports will be submitted to the PIAA District One Office by the following deadlines: Fall 2009 by 12/31/2009, Winter 2009-10 by 3/31/2010, Spring 2010 by July 31, 2010, Fall 2010 by 12/31/2010.

c. Failure to comply with these provisions and/or additional violations of PIAA Rules and Regulations during the probationary period may result in additional penalties as described in Article XIII.

d. Motion passed 7 – 0

Motion to find that Coach William Detweiler engaged in recruiting that was materially motivated in some way by an athletic purpose that violates the provisions of Article VI, Section 6, Recruiting.

e. Mr. Detweiler is disqualified from coaching any athletic teams of a PIAA Member School for a period of one year from the date of the hearing.

f. Motion passed 7 – 0.

Motion to find that Coach Kenneth Winston engaged in recruiting that was materially motivated in some way by an athletic purpose that violates the provisions of Article

VI, Section 6, Recruiting.

g. Mr. Winston is disqualified from coaching any athletic teams of a PIAA Member School for a period of one year from the date of the hearing.

h. Motion passed 7 – 0.

Motion to find that Coach GT Pufko engaged in recruiting that was materially motivated in some way by an athletic purpose that violates the provisions of Article

VI, Section 6, Recruiting.

i. Mr. Pufko is disqualified from coaching any athletic teams of a PIAA Member School for a period of one year from the date of the hearing.

j. Motion passed 7 – 0.

No additional motions were presented and the hearing was closed.