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VHSL denies JM's appeal Date published: 11/18/2009
BY TAFT COGHILL JR. James Monroe High School's football coach and principal pleaded with the Virginia High School League for 30 minutes yesterday. During a conference call, coach Rich Serbay and Principal John Gordon told three members of the VHSL's executive committee the order of events that led to the Yellow Jackets' using an ineligible player. They asked for sympathy, explaining that their failure to notice the player had exhausted his eligibility was an honest mistake. They expressed how JM's having to forfeit six of eight victories and a spot in the Region I, Division 3 playoffs has affected the Fredericksburg community. The executive committee listened, but after deliberating for an hour, it denied the Yellow Jackets' appeal to overturn the forfeited games. That means James Monroe's season is over and it won't be able to defend its 2008 Group AA, Division 3 state title. Greensville High School takes JM's playoff spot. "Of course, the school and myself are very disappointed," Gordon said. "However, we respect the decision of the Virginia High School League. We would like to thank the entire community for the support they've given to James Monroe High School and to our football team." Mike McCall, the VHSL's communications director, confirmed that JM's appeal was denied. McCall said the VHSL's policy is not to comment on appeals other than to say if they were upheld or rejected. Gordon said he knew the appeal was a long shot "because of the clarity of the rule." The ineligible player is in his ninth semester of high school and the VHSL rule states that student-athletes have eight semesters from the time they enter high school to complete their eligibility. The ineligible player began his career at Spotsylvania County's Massaponax High School in 2005-06, before he transferred to JM. He also spent time at the regional alternative school in Fredericksburg before returning to JM, where he's been a student the past two years. Serbay said he assumed the player was a four-year senior, but received a call from someone in the community this past weekend saying he wasn't. Serbay checked with JM's guidance department and confirmed the player was ineligible. He then told Gordon, Fredericksburg School Superintendent David Melton and the VHSL about the violation.
It's not about the men. It's about the kids. I could see them banning the coach from the playoffs. Coach Serbay at least owned up to his mistake. But to ruin their season for the kids themselves, especially the seniors who's season has now ended prematurely, is just plain wrong. It's not like they were blue-chipping or anything like that. Punish the coaches, fine, but not the kids. They are the innocent victims in all this.
would have been to take the punishment like men and not appealed it even if it was an honest mistake.
This is most unfortunate but I think Coach Serbay will have taught these kids in a very positive way by being honest and taking responsibility for what happened. Kudos to him and no time to point fingers.
While I know it was an honest mistake....I am not sure where in the administration this should have been checked further. the guidance counselor confirmed he was a 5th yr student . that to me means they already had to know becuase the counselor keeps all transcropt copies and it is on the computer grades, GPA, classes and school year and rank. still confused. My heart goes out to all the hard working players and coaching staff
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