Tony has been with Last Word on Sports for six years covering college football around the country. 2021 State Champs! Unfazed by the less than hospitable conditions, the Wolverine ground game got to work against a stout Panther defense. In 1959, Stamford defeated Brady 19-14 in the state championship. "It was discovered that there were athletes competing under false addresses in the Bellevue district. Therevelation is not a product of bias or envy. We asked our fans to vote for the 3A Players of the Year for Texas HS Football Podcast: Championship Series. Next stop for the Wolverines (13-0) is the state championship game the Gridiron Classic versus Kennewick at noon on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. My son plays football as a freshman at Liberty High School, and of course the teams one loss this past year was to Bellevue. Due to state-wide ref shortages, the Wolverines trip to the jungle at Mercer Island High School was moved from Friday night to Thursday. And we wonder where entitled athletes come from? What is your main job as a parent? She handles most sports coverage at the station, including helping produce a two-part series on the 50th anniversary of Title IX and the ongoing series "Going Deep.". Once you address these issues, thenlets talk about a level playing field.. Darien Freeman had said he lived in that city during his 2009-10 freshman season. Have no fear, Bellevue Faithful, the East Channel Bridge rivalry is very much alive. Or, at the very least, put on administrative leave along with the schools athletic director until a thorough investigation is has been completed into the financial records (who paid what) and academic record of Academic Institute Inc., in Bellevue. An interception by Caymus Rooney sealed the first half, 34-7 in favor of Bellevue. But Notre Dame-bound RB Jayden Limar led a second half comeback, eventually closing the game out 37-28. Which spelled out who could live in certain neighborhoods. Now, we cannot be completely naive. It taught them how to succeed and prepared them for the future. This isnt just about high school sports. That's as many as Milwaukee, two more than Indianapolis and Tampa, and six more than Oklahoma City and San Antonio.. This is a public high school and a strong message needs to be sent that this type of practice cannot be tolerated. Any booster associated with this mess be banned from any financial or booster club membership for two years. 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. By, Its almost like a cult. Activists shout down rural renewable energy projects, Amazon pauses construction in Virginia on its second headquarters, Dam owner guilty in field turf pollution of Puyallup River, First auction held for licenses to pollute in Washington, How this year's Selma Bridge Crossing could mark a community renaissance, Russia's foreign minister gets laughed at over Ukraine remarks at a global conference, Students learn lessons on climate change, pollution through raising salmon. Bellevue is not allowed to play out-of-state opponents for four seasons. Latest Updates. But many of those accomplishments are in jeopardy, because of a scandal that has now reached the punishment stage. Among the violations, the 68-page report found thatplayers families provided false address to gain eligibility and that head coach ButchGoncharoff encouraged players to attend classes at a private alternative school where some of the players tuition was subsidized by the programs booster club. Players attend the school for academics but are allowed to play football at Bellevue if they live in the proper district. An investigation released Tuesday revealed significant and long-standing violations by the Bellevue High School football program. 5. Our guys played pretty well, its just about getting better., Then, on Monday, the LW JV made the opposite trip, visiting BHS. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal. We hear stories about competing schools. Bellevue will host Mead High School in the 3A Round of 16, this Saturday at Noon. The players were ejected from the game, suspended and an investigation launched. Bellevue has also been the subject of a nearly year-long investigation by the KingCo Conference, the league governing body for high school athletics in King County. Thanks to state-wide referee shortages, the Wolverines had to reschedule their weekly Friday night appointment to Saturday. There's just too much 'go along, get along' over the years. The team should have to forfeit the championships it won. I have known athletes who have told of offers made by colleges. This has been, I dont want to say an open secret, but Im not surprised by the investigation, ONeil told Seattles Morning News. Im typical Bellevue fashion, the JV Wolverines matched Bothells two big plays with long, methodical drives and stifling defense. Some prominent college football players are named in the report as having been cycled through The Academic Institute. But many of those accomplishments are in jeopardy, because of a scandal that has now reached the punishment stage. ', "The Bellevue School District said only one charge was valid and that was the compensation to Goncharoff, and so they recommended his firing. %link% 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. 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. And oh, by the way, how is it fair that a public school has limits on the geographic locations of its players homes,but private schools players can live anywhere? All the coaches involved should lose their jobs and be required to return any money they received that was above the amount they were legally entitled to. Unphased by the change, the boys loaded up the busses on Saturday evening, and headed north to Juanita High School in Kirkland. Two former teachers told the Times the Academic Institute doesnt adhere to basic educational standards. Players need a 2.0 GPA with no more than one failing class to compete athletically. Bellevue High School has the most successful football program in state history - winning 11 titles in the last 15 years. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. A native of Southern California, now living in North Carolina, he has been working in broadcast, print and digital media for nearly 30 years. The Bellevue football program was placed on a three-year probation last year for two self-reported violations, which allowed KingCo to hand down more severe sanctions. This type of illegal and unethical activity runs through sports programs at all levels. We only care where they live., They are not our students, he said. 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The state high school governing body, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), is looking into whether state titles need to be stripped and further sanctions imposed. It should not be about winning at all costs to include cheating by parents. The deluge culminated in a 34-0 halftime lead for BHS. The final report did not mention the Academic Institute. The Bellevue booster club in a statement early Tuesday expressed disappointment with the sanctions. His older brother became vice president of the teams booster club. After the game, Coach Kneip said, Our job is to put our kids in the best position to win a state championship, and that means challenging ourselves against the best opponents we can possibly find for our non-conference games.. After their work in the back half of the Friday night game, the Bellevue JV made the Monday drive to the Sammamish Plateau, to face off against KingCo 4A opponent Eastlake Wolves. Brick by brick!. 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. But KingCo officials saw Bellevues problems as requiring more severe sanctions. Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff was suspended two games for "improper out-of-season activities" and for providing money to a player. Recent newspaper headlines should bring the immediate firing of Butch Goncharoff, Bellevue High School football coach. Senior William Wang piled up 182 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 32 carries, and the Bellevue defense was tough as the top-seeded Wolverines laid a 27-3 licking on No. Nobody is talking about the kids who lived in-district whose spots were taking by athletic carpetbaggers., Sothe investigation found that, among other things, Bellevue boosters paid tuitionfor some players to attend an alternative school (just like many kids do) in order to receive instruction, compatible with their learning styles,that they needed to improve their academic standing. 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. Rantz says he doesnt blame the parents whatsoever. We love to see the kids have fun and play ball. The schools don't want to arm the WIAA with investigatory powers. The Bellevue High School administrators who allowed this to happen should also face the loss of jobs or demotions. 5 seeded Wolverines (8-2) walloped No. State District . The players reportedly said the refereewas using racial slurs and said they were instructed to hit the ref by their coach, Mack Breed. The Bellevue High (Seattle) football team is reportedly aided through a "diploma mill" private school, according to an investigation by The Seattle Times . 1 talking about this. Following the string of robberies, six players were sentenced to prison with terms ranging from two to 25 years. How did the adults never ask how it was that their kid was taking classes in a $1,750 per month school, yet they never got a tuition bill? Who do these kids think they are? What makes them think they are so deserving? You know what? 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. Video Highlights of State Championship New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory Of those 17 boys, seven were Bellevue football players. Sophomore Ryken Moon took the opening kickoff back for a TD, junior Colin Miller had an interception, junior Luke Soma added a field goal, and junior Cal Zimmerman had his own pick-6. There are no legitimate answers to those questions. I think the system is prone to corruption. Come celebrate Anacortes 11th annual Bier on the Pier! Coach Kneip said after the game, great to see our men get out and have fun tonight, energy on the sidelines was awesome. They recently had a 67-game win streak snapped in the state championship game last December. Bellevue school officials have previously told Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff that the district will seek to terminate him for violations of district policies. She has worked in news radio for more than 30 years. In the end, nine football players at the school admitted to using over the counter steroid-like substances and prescription steroids. 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. Goncharoff has argued that the decision to fire him was based on improperly applied policies. Bellevue High School Football; Bellevue Football. The western-themed student section brought the energy all night, and the Wolverines did not disappoint. I am also the father of a high school varsity athlete. Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options! to Bellevue so college recruiters will notice you; its absurd., An independent investigation found a series of potential violations on the Bellevue High School football program. Lots of work to be done to get where we want to be, though. A KingCo committee came down hard on Bellevue football Tuesday, banning the program from postseason play and prohibiting outside donations for four years. 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. I am old enough to remember corruption being the norm in the old Southwest Conference: fake jobs, hundred dollar handshakes and far, far worse. 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. Sports news, analysis, opinions, and rumors. A third player whose family couldnt afford the steep tuition said he attended Academic Institute for two years without knowing who picked up the tab. The donors and contributors to this school should be identified. Bellevue can appeal for that sanction to be reduced one year early. I think its terrible when parents get involved and start trying to tilt the playing field for high school sports, he said. KingCo will have stricter guidelines and oversight for incoming transfer student-athletes for two years. That leads to what the money was used for. 1 Bellevue back into 3A state semifinals: 4 observations, Week 11 Playoff Matchups - Bellevue 42, Lakes 21, (Nov 12, 2021), This website is powered by SportsEngine's. The Seattle [] Wangs 64-yard burst up the middle with four minutes left gave the top-seeded Wolverines (14-0) the winning margin. Mind you, this is not the kind of booster club that has bake sales to pay for road trips. As crime increases, our safety measures must too, GSBA is closing the disparity gap with Ready for Business Fund. They scammed the system and stole the opportunities of hometown players, stoleplayers from schools that could have used the talent to grow their ownteams, and stole titles from teams that they played. 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 would say the rules are loose. Weve seen a couple of surveys about Seattles happiness rating, one shows us near the top for happiness, and one has us closer to the bottom. In response to allegations against the Bellevue booster club, KingCo ruled that the Bellevue football program cannot receive any donations for four years, including money, equipment and products from outside entities. The investigation was prompted, in part, by an exposure in the Seattle Times last summer that found an underbelly of fraudulent academics, illegal recruiting and of course, money. The Times uncovered 17 instances of Bellevue players who attend the Academic Institute, a small private school which does not offer football, in the last seven years. Earlier this week, the Bellevue School District requestedan investigation of the football program by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, which governs prep sports in the state. Saint Mary's guard Logan Johnson knows both sides of the Zags-Gaels rivalry , "It should be an awesome environment": Gonzaga's WCC title hopes depend on outcome vs. Gaels , Gonzaga rewind: Ben Gregg continues to thrive in expanded role, helps Gonzaga thump San Diego , Daily marijuana use raises risk of heart disease by 34%, study indicates, 'Growing up I can say I fell victim to being a Gonzaga fan.' The second half once again belonged to the youngsters and up-and-comers, who finished strong to the tune of a 56-14 victory. The community was stunned. A video of two football players from John Jay High School in San Antonio went viral in September of 2015 after they blindsided a referee near the end of a game versus Marble Falls. 12 Mead in the first round of the Class 3A state football playoffs 41-10 as Bellevue rode its potent rushing attack to a dominant victory that puts it just two wins from their second consecutive state championship game appearance. The Academic Institute was briefly involved in a athletic district investigation after the family complaint, but no one from the school spoke to investigators. This decision is unfair to the players who are the heart and soul of this program. 56-0 win over Juanita! 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. You can read the Times' entire investigation here. This isnt a player finding $100 cash in his locker. You do what you can to give your kid a leg up because you want him or her on a path that maybe you werent on.. Teaching young impressionable minds to cheat is criminal! Final score: 48-14, Bellevue. Ask yourself these questions while you scan the details: Where in the name of all that is right were the parents? Bellevue H.S. That would be easy. In both games, seniors Ishaan Daniels and George Kruger were standouts. "This is the most successful athletic program in state history and it's being torn down. Make it hurt. This was wealth gone greedy., Bellevue football report put asterisk on winning record. What sanction to impose if they will not resign in disgrace? Bellevue football decimated the available pool of players for both Sammamish and Interlake for years to the point of Sammamish forfeiting games at the varsity level in 2015. Come one, come all! He can also be found on twitter @tonybruin, Unrecognizable U.S. Mens National Team Defeats Costa Rica, NBA Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers win Game 3 Convincingly over Golden State Warriors. 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. Its unfortunate for the kids who played therebut also hard on those who played against Bellevue, too. The long-running nature of the corruption uncovered by this investigation could only have occurred with the explicit or tacit approval of Bellevue High Schooland Bellevue School District administrators, as the reportvividly details. Sat Nov 26 L . It's a guaranteed story that will be told for generations, with a record that will be likely painted up on a water tower or on a city's welcome sign. 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. Theyre going to find you. Art Thiel is a co-founder and writer for the rising sports website Sportspress Northwest. Comments (-1) BPS Summer STEM Camps. 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. To deny them the ability to compete with their peers is wrong and goes against every principle of youth sports.. 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. Mostly because they were too busy taking advantage of the whole in the system for their own benefit.

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