bellevue high school football scandal

Head coach Butch Goncharoff has been fired. Yes, they broke the rules to get them on the team. 5. Photos: William Wang powers No. 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. Luke Scoma wins it for Bellevue with his 43-yard field goal in Wolverines' 22-20 win over Lincoln of Tacoma in Class 3A quarterfinals. 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. An anonymous tip led the UIL to investigate claims Carters star player, Gary Edwards had failed Algebra and had violated the states No Pass, No Play policy. Freeman described in detail the hours he spent busing from Auburn to Bellevue, catching a 5:30 a.m. bus to start class around 8:15. 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. November 4, 2022. Bellevue High School offered a Physical Education program (football) not offered by this sham institution. Bellevue's head coach and athletic director be fired immediately 2. Records reviewed by the Seattle Times, however, show that Freemans father has had a home address in Auburn. And in years where cheating was determined to have occurred, titles should be forfeited. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Kaden Matsudaira was featured in a long drive, culminating in a 3-yard TD run to put an exclamation point on the game. Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff was suspended two games for "improper out-of-season activities" and for providing money to a player. The Bellevue High School administrators who allowed this to happen should also face the loss of jobs or demotions. Editors note: The following is an excerpt from the Seattle Times article of Aug. 23 detailing alleged improper practices within the Bellevue High football program: Bellevue High School has established itself as one of the premier prep football programs in the nation with 11 state titles in the past 15 years. However, the school often had no teachers in the classrooms; little, if any homework was ever given, and the players received full class credit. 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. Many would perhaps have fallen through the cracks had it not been for the help they received when it was obvious to coaches they needed a little boost. 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. 2023 Bonneville International. The Wolverines will look to keep extend their conference win streak next week, at home, against the Knights of Newport. On November 10, the UIL shocked Dallas Carter and the entire state when they announced the Cowboys were ineligible for the playoffs. Come celebrate Anacortes 11th annual Bier on the Pier! You cheat, you steal, you lie. Bellevue High is an extremely successful football program. Unfazed by the less than hospitable conditions, the Wolverine ground game got to work against a stout Panther defense. The parents confirmed in their letter that they received financial support, but said they properly requested aid from the school. My son plays football as a freshman at Liberty High School, and of course the teams one loss this past year was to Bellevue. 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.". 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 Bellevue grads on staff are Jake Hiller (2010, offensive line coach), Morgann Richey (2014, offensive line), Ryan Gilbert (2015, defensive backs), Jack Michael (2015, defensive backs), Matt Gilbert (2012, defensive coordinator), AJ Kneip (2016, offensive line/strength coach), Miles Carlson (2016, defensive back), Quinn Sullivan (2018, linebackers), Joe Razore (1997, offensive coordinator), Cam Johnson (1999, wide receivers), Peter Nguyen (2009, wide receivers) and Jojo Connor (2010, quarterbacks). Touchdowns by Daniels, Hansen, Rubin, Moon, Smith, and Matsudaira. Any booster associated with this mess be banned from any financial or booster club membership for two years. Mercer Island Football Booster Club President, 1988-89. If youre retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you! Discretely paid for by the booster club. 4. This is a public high school and a strong message needs to be sent that this type of practice cannot be tolerated. The startup funding should be part of the investigation. 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 . As crime increases, our safety measures must too, GSBA is closing the disparity gap with Ready for Business Fund. Bellevue school officials have previously told Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff that the district will seek to terminate him for violations of district policies. They happen to go to a private school that doesnt offer a (football) program.. Bier on the Pier takes place on October 7th and 8th and features local ciders, food trucks and live music - not to mention the beautiful views of the Guemes Channel and backdrop of downtown Anacortes. No, its not something we want to teach our kids as the right thing to do, he said. Daniels got the second half rolling with his fourth house call of the game, and Luke Scoma added a late field goal to give the Wolverines a 44-13 win. Now, we cannot be completely naive. Good kids and families participated in Bellevuefootball, but there were also some people who stepped over the line. That probe confirmed some of the problems that The Times found and also detailed other issues, including families that had used false addresses to gain eligibility, a school district that had obstructed the investigation and evidence that Goncharoff had been paid beyond the bounds of WIAA rules. Darien Freeman has not returned multiple messages left for him last week. Freemans parents criticized the Times reporters who wrote the Bellevue High story, saying they hounded and harassed their son and tricked him into saying things that he has no knowledge of. Led by senior running back William Wang as the wrecking ball of destruction in Bellevues vaunted Wing-T rushing attack, the Wolverines dogged Rainier Beach all night on the ground in a 56-22 triumph on Friday night in Class 3A state quarterfinals at Bellevue High School, Highlights of Bellevue's 56-22 win over Rainier Beach in the quarterfinals of the 3A State Playoffs. Dinner and dancing may have been the order of the day on Saturday, but on Friday night, Wolverine students packed the stands to see the Bellevue High football team demolish their crosstown rival Newport Knights. But, we would be lying if we said that there wasnt at least a benefit to these kids.. His older brother became vice president of the teams booster club. 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. Im so happy and proud of all of them. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal. "He's still a vital part of the picture. In the end, nine football players at the school admitted to using over the counter steroid-like substances and prescription steroids. BELLEVUE REBOUNDS AT HOME VS LIBERTY, TOUGH START FOR WOLVERINES AGAINST TOP RANKED OPPONENTS, Former UW Lineman Is Lead Blocker in Returning Bellevue High to Prominence, Yelm goes length of field to end Bellevue's state championship reign, 28-27, PHOTOS: Yelm edges past Bellevue, 28-27, to earn title shot, VIDEO Game Highlights from Lincoln Playoff Game, 3A Quarterfinal, Bellevues 43-yard field goal breaks the hearts and playoff hopes of Lincoln Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/high-school/article2, With Bellevue in need of a season-saving spark, Luke Scoma delivers - with his foot, Bellevue tops 400 yards rushing to beat Mead in 3A state football playoffs, Bellevue football team defeats Snohomish in non-conference game. 5 Marysville-Pilchuck on Saturday in the early game of the Class 3A semifinal doubleheader at Memorial Stadium. Probation: Bellevue athletic department is on probation for four years. The KingCo Conference has levied sanctions against the school that include four years of probation for the entire athletic department,no road games or out-of-conference games for two years, no money funneled into the program from any source for four years, no postseason play for four years and no out-of-state opponents (a big source of revenue) for four years. 9 Rainier Beach into WIAA 3A state semifinals, William Wangs career night lifts No. 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. 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). School District officials are planning to fire the head coach, Bellevue coaches clearly violated eligibility rules for years, Clemson gets commitment from 4-star North Cobb RB David Eziomume, Vermont HS girls basketball team forfeits rather than face transgender opponent, USA TODAY Sports Super 25 high school basketball rankings, week of Feb. 27, 2023, Sierra Canyon 4-star small forward AJ Swinton commits to Virgnia Tech, Imhotep Institute CB Kenny Woseley names top 4 schools, commitment date, Centennial boys basketball 3-peats as champions with buzzer-beater dunk, 'The Last of Us' actor, deaf youth hockey player meets Alexander Ovechkin in heartwarming video, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Blame needs to fall primarily on Bellevue High School. Then, on Monday, the JV took the field north of the lake, against the Bothell Cougars. At least 17 Bellevue football players attended the program over the past seven years, the Seattle Times has learned. 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 win marks a return to the top for a former state juggernaut that won eight state championships from 2001 to 2011. Really? 5 seeded Wolverines (8-2) walloped No. There are absolutely no facts to support KingCos conclusion they have foolishly relied on the false inferences of the WIAAs original report, Goncharoffs statement said. Boosters have been barred from affiliating with the program. That would be a likely violation of rules that generally require student-athletes to live within a schools attendance boundary. 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. The second half saw more of the same stingy Wolverine defense, and scores being added by another long Daniels run, and a 30-yard TD connection from Razore to junior TE, Hogan Hansen. Later, a traffic citation was issued to a Yusef Freeman with an address in SeaTac. But what happens when bending the rules or covering for players becomes a real life story; the infractions are so extensive and the storylines so indelicate that no TV producer would even believe it. One player who attended the Institute told the Times he took one class without a teacher, and the school's director gave him a book and test questions to study. Supporters of the Bellevue football program have shared the letter on social media. Goncharoff built Bellevue into a football dynasty. Later, when the family lived in SeaTac, he said, his mother would drop him off at a bus stop in Renton to commute. Following the varsitys team lead from Friday night, the Wolverine JV got things going quickly with several big runs by sophomore Matt Reed, and the race was on. Just one play into Hazens opening drive, senior Joel Schneider made an acrobatic interception, which moments later led to a sight thats become the terror of KingCo 3A: an Ishaan Daniels long run and touchdown this time from 63 yards. The western-themed student section brought the energy all night, and the Wolverines did not disappoint. Part of Darien Freemans account, however, is corroborated by documents reviewed by the Seattle Times. 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. "They also discovered that there was a small school within the school called the Academic Institute, which was privately funded by a lot of the boosters to give educations to students who were struggling. Voted as the KING 5 Sports Big Game of the Week, the 4-2 Wolverines once again headed north on 405 for a KingCo 3A showdown, this time with the 4-1 Lake Washington Kangs. Final score: 20-14, bringing the JV to 1-1. We love the playoffs, Coach Kneip said postgame, this is the best time of the year, and were ready to get after it!. "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. On the shoulders of some hard running by junior Carson Rubin and sophomore Ryken Moon, a long reception by senior Ishaan Daniels, and a heaping helping of stingy defense, Bellevue took a 47-7 lead to the locker room at half time. Top-ranked Bellevue defeated Marysville Pilchuck, 27-3, in the 3A state football semifinals on Nov. 27 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. Due to state-wide ref shortages, the Wolverines trip to the jungle at Mercer Island High School was moved from Friday night to Thursday. KingCo will vacate Bellevues conference titles if the WIAA determines that state championships should be forfeited. With the pregame pageantry and TV interviews done, the Wolverines got to work making the Big Game a big blowout. How did parents never ask how their kid had so much walking around money? School district leaders initially sought to have the booster club answer questions about its relationship with Academic Institute. 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. Hopefully something like that will come out of this mess.". Final score, 59-0, BHS. The second quarter was the Carson Rubin Show, as he added 10- and 35-yard TD runs, and even a two-point conversion, helping the Wolverines take a 26-6 lead to the locker room. A KingCo committee came down hard on Bellevue football Tuesday, banning the program from postseason play and prohibiting outside donations for four years. This is another example of the incredibly flawed process that has been guiding this investigation for months. In its findings released a few hours earlier, the KingCo committee: Found a preponderance of evidence that Bellevue illegally recruited athletes to the school and coordinated payments for athletes, and that Bellevue failed to self-report money provided to players families. One son married a runner-up from The Bachelor TV show and became an assistant football coach at Bellevue. The coaching staff should be immediately dismissed. Im typical Bellevue fashion, the JV Wolverines matched Bothells two big plays with long, methodical drives and stifling defense. 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. At a Tuesday news conference, Bellevue Superintendent Tim Mills said the report contains information that requires immediate action, but the district has not saidwhat that action will be. This isnt a player finding $100 cash in his locker. 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 NFL is the big example. We asked our fans to vote for the 3A Players of the Year for Texas HS Football Podcast: Championship Series. 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. The Seattle [] ", "Pretty serious stuff," Thiel said. 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. It taught them how to succeed and prepared them for the future. The Bellevue football story became national news in 2016 as false accusations of recruiting by the twelve-time state champions and 2012 national champions took center stage. Bellevue has 12 buildings taller than 25 stories, 10 of them built since 2005. Once you address these issues, thenlets talk about a level playing field.. JV Head Coach Danny Salonen was upbeat after the game, we never like to lose games like this, there are plenty of fundamentals on both sides of the ball that need cleaning up, but I cant imagine a better opportunity for our young guys and newer players to play a ton of football. Other families allegedly acquired apartments within the schools boundaries, with the rent being paid by boosters. The Academic Institute has a monthly tuition of $1,750. These findings only corroborate what is probably the worst kept secret in the history of high school sports. Varsity takes the field this Saturday (10/8) at Juanita, at 7pm, while the JV will face Juanita at home the following Monday. Theyre going to find you. Junior Carson Rubin was the first to take the spotlight two long runs and two TDs got BHS on the board in Q1. He's not going quietly. June 29, 2022 Posted in&nbspkawasaki monster energy jersey. 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. Staff reporter Mike Baker contributed to this report. Amazing game and ending for Bellevue Wolverines, It's false. At least two families of football players received tuition assistance coordinated by the teams wealthy supporters, according to interviews and documents. The players were ejected from the game, suspended and an investigation launched. 5. The specifics of what happened is more symbolic of what is preposterously wrong with parents who lack the ability to teach their kids the responsibilities of being a student athlete. Under ominous clouds and heavy winds, the Wolverines took the field in their electric yellow uniforms, to face the visiting Snohomish Panthers in a Week 10 crossover game. Thiel said the complaints have been leveled at the Bellevue High School football program for years, but the scandal erupted after an investigation by the Seattle Times last year. football coach makes appeal after ban. The players spent 75 days in the districts alternative school after the incident. Jessie Armstead, played for Miami and was the 207th pick in the 8th round of the 1993 NFL draft. And that lofty tuition bill? Final score: Wolverines 53, Panthers 12. Found a preponderance of evidence that Bellevue boosters paid the tuition of athletes at The Academic Institute. None of our business, he said. Along the way, competitors have complained that Bellevue was bending the rules. Armstead is also in the New York Giants Ring of Honor. 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. The donors and contributors to this school should be identified. Bellevue H.S. This will essentially kill the football program. An interception by Caymus Rooney sealed the first half, 34-7 in favor of Bellevue. If that wasnt enough, the main boosters involved are discussing suing the conference over the penalties and coach Goncharoff says he has been set up. 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. That's as many as Milwaukee, two more than Indianapolis and Tampa, and six more than Oklahoma City and San Antonio.. 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 Colleyville Heritage Steroid . The Bellevue High (Seattle) football team is reportedly aided through a "diploma mill" private school, according to an investigation by The Seattle Times . 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. A player for Stamford, Wendell Robinson, lived in the towns fire station and continued to play for the school after his parents moved away from Stamford. 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. The players reportedly said the refereewas using racial slurs and said they were instructed to hit the ref by their coach, Mack Breed. According to the findings, 17 players were funneled to a for-profit private school for extra classes and academic help. Bellevue High School Football Share this Team > Regular Season . Unphased by the change, the boys loaded up the busses on Saturday evening, and headed north to Juanita High School in Kirkland. 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. I found this story on USA TODAY High School Sports and wanted to share it with you: 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. I am old enough to remember corruption being the norm in the old Southwest Conference: fake jobs, hundred dollar handshakes and far, far worse. State District . Any booster associated with this mess be banned from any financial or booster club membership for two years. In the second half, the Highlanders were haunted by a flurry of big plays on special teams and defense, by the Wolverines. Go re-read this story, and you will have your answers. It's finally come to a head. Bellevue can appeal for that sanction to be reduced one year early. Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options! 9-0 on the season, BACK ON TRACK! The final report did not mention the Academic Institute. 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. The SHIBA program part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner is ready to help with your Medicare open enrollment decisions. 1 talking about this. There are no legitimate answers to those questions. Therevelation is not a product of bias or envy. The most successful and the private schools are usually those that get accused. Bellevue Superintendent Tim Mills says the district will appeal. Editors note: After the original Seattle Times article of Aug. 23 the newspaper followed up with another article in which the parents of Darien Freeman disputed portions of the first article that were attributed to their son. Back to work tomorrow!. All told, a 42-0 first half lead. 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. That was released a few months ago. Darien Freeman had said he lived in that city during his 2009-10 freshman season. We will continue to defend our right, and the right of booster clubs around the state, to make these activities available to kids.. "This is the most successful athletic program in state history and it's being torn down. Earlier this year, one family complained that an assistant coach threatened to revoke their sons financial aid at Academic Institute if the student didnt continue playing football at Bellevue. 56-0 win over Juanita! "I would say the rules are loose. Players attend the school for academics but are allowed to play football at Bellevue if they live in the proper district. We love to see the kids have fun and play ball. The team won 11 state championships in 15 years, including a 67-game winning streak. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps is the traditional American response to anyone who complains about his lot in life. 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? A native of Southern California, now living in North Carolina, he has been working in broadcast, print and digital media for nearly 30 years. SEATTLE An independent investigation into the Bellevue High football team uncovered "significant and long-standing violations" of state sports rules and extensive evidence that the team's. Students at a private school without a football team can play for a public-school team in their home district. Here is a selection of the. There are a lot of reasons why he thinks the rules were wrongly interpreted by the investigators. "The Bellevue High School football cheating scandal is 'American Greed' at it worst.". Washington state wants to be a leader in climate change, but I sense that the voters are not as concerned about that these days. Or that they never had homework from that school? The Wolverines found paydirt early and often, ending the first quarter with a 280 lead, eventually taking a 35-0 lead to half. 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. To tear down this whole organization is a crime. A video of Bellevue East High School's 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. The following Monday, the Bellevue JV had their first home game of the season, hosting Juanita. 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. Mind you, this is not the kind of booster club that has bake sales to pay for road trips. 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. 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. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook) They were outlandishly gravy training on their 17 or 18 year old kids football ability. Fire them all immediately.. Among those, Freeman said Goncharoff directed him to attend the Academic Institute instead of studying at Bellevue. They said Goncharoff never gave the family money to pay for rent. How did parents move into a new apartment and never pay a dime of rent and never ask how that came to be? Bellevue Superintendent Tim Mills says the district will appeal. Latest Updates. Of the 24-23 loss, Coach Kneip said, Theyre a really, really well-coached, high quality program. 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. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook), (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook). 2021 State Champs! The Bellevue High School football team is one victory away from the ultimate return to glory. I think that theres a lot of different layers to understanding exactly what is going on., Related: Teen football player tackles suspected shoplifter. It is high time to clean up this mess. Teen football player tackles suspected shoplifter, Ross: The latest attempt to undo a national embarrassment, Ross: Changing the climate of mental health is a bill away, Ross: A national divorce isnt the solution, but some people should move, Ross: If the American system rewards hard work, cancel student loan debt, Ross: Fentanyl-smoking passengers on light rail present huge danger, Ross: Two less crooks to worry about in downtown Seattle.