Bellevue Independent Schools announced it has canceled the rest of its high school's football season due to multiple injuries on the team. 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. 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. Often it would be well past dark by the time he returned home. 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. Saint Mary's guard Logan Johnson knows both sides of the Zags-Gaels rivalry, 35-year-old loved his dog, the outdoors and his mother who is accused of killing him, Accused killer returns to Spokane to face murder charge in 40-year-old South Hill cold case. While parents arent specifically mentioned in these allegations, ONeil says they would most certainly be involved in these violations and are also culpable. The Times found at least three instances in which families of players attending the school were either given financial assistance by the team's boosters or didn't pay for the tuition themselves, a violation of state athletic rules. 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 uproar began and a legal battle quickly ensued. Discretely paid for by the booster club. 2023 Bonneville International. Goncharoff released a statement after KingCos sanctions were handed down. 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.. How did parents move into a new apartment and never pay a dime of rent and never ask how that came to be? Hogwash! Accepted a Bellevue resolution that it will not renew contracts for two years of coaches who violated the WIAA rule that stipends and gifts of more than $500 must be approved by the school board. Kirsten is also a sports lover. For more high school stories, stats and videos, visit http://usatodayhss.com. 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. He's not going quietly. 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. The only actual answer is likely that they didnt know and they didnt care to know. It's finally come to a head. This booster club raised more than $427,000 in 2013 according to the Seattle Times investigation. "That report will be forwarded to the WIAA, which will adjudicate the punishments and will allow Bellevue High School a chance to appeal.". On BHSs ensuing possession, junior QB Lucas Razore found Ishaan Daniels in the flat, and Daniels scampered 30 yards for the Bellevue score. 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. Courtesy of Stephanie Ault Justus. 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. Other families allegedly acquired apartments within the schools boundaries, with the rent being paid by boosters. "And if you can wiggle around with all of these variances in the rules, then they've got a real problem.". 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. Fire them all immediately..
Bellevue High School (WA) Varsity Football - MaxPreps.com BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Bellevue High School football coach Butch Goncharoff told the school board Tuesday that an investigation of the football . 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. The conferences action sets a precedent that should raise a red flag to everyone, the statement said. Bellevue school officials have previously told Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff that the district will seek to terminate him for violations of district policies. 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. We hear stories about competing schools. To deny them the ability to compete with their peers is wrong and goes against every principle of youth sports.. 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.
Former Bellevue Football assistant head coach publishes his side of the The community was stunned. They were outlandishly gravy training on their 17 or 18 year old kids football ability. However, the school often had no teachers in the classrooms; little, if any homework was ever given, and the players received full class credit. Im typical Bellevue fashion, the JV Wolverines matched Bothells two big plays with long, methodical drives and stifling defense. Latest Updates. This has been, I dont want to say an open secret, but Im not surprised by the investigation, ONeil told Seattles Morning News. 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.. On the first play from scrimmage, freshman Max Jones took a handoff 65 yards to the house, and the JV squad never looked back. Coach Kneip said, after the game, What an awesome night to celebrate a group of guys who have given so much to this program! 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. KingCo left the question of whether Bellevue should forfeit state titles up to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). 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. 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. More of the money went to pay for school; the kind with no real academics.
Bellevue football banned from postseason for 4 years The second half once again belonged to the youngsters and up-and-comers, who finished strong to the tune of a 56-14 victory. Get the days top sports headlines and breaking news delivered to your inbox by subscribing here. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Bellevue's head coach and athletic director be fired immediately 2. KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says it's a symptom of a much bigger problem.Media Probe Darien Freeman had said he lived in that city during his 2009-10 freshman season. 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 . There are no legitimate answers to those questions. Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options! Yesterday Kendall Alston, age 31, was sentenced in federal court to five years for selling fentanyl pills in downtown Seattle. Bellevue will host Mead High School in the 3A Round of 16, this Saturday at Noon. 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. 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. Bellevue High School has the most successful football program in state history winning 11 titles in the last 15 years. That leads to what the money was used for. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps is the traditional American response to anyone who complains about his lot in life. There are many changes that should be made but they will never happen because our society places much more value on their teams winning than they do on oureducation system., This incident underscores what happens when booster clubs are permitted for specific sports and when those clubs put their own egos and insecurities above the appropriate life lessons to be gained and promoted from participation in school activities. PF 497 PA 185 STREAK 1L. After the Seattle Times story was published on Sunday, a distraught Darien Freeman called a Times reporter, saying hed just spoken with Goncharoff. Texas HS Football State Champions: 1920-2022, 2022 3A Fan Vote All-Texas High School Football Team, TXHSFB Podcast Championship Edition: Benjamin Mustangs, 2022 2A Fan Vote All-Texas High School Football Team, Texas HS Football Fan Vote Player Of The Year. Bellevue High School offered a Physical Education program (football) not offered by this sham institution. Food, Drink, and Coastal Christmas Anacortes has it all. The Bellevue High School football team is one victory away from the ultimate return to glory. Final score, 59-0, BHS. And booster club President John Connors told supporters over the weekend that litigation may be necessary to protect the program.
Bellevue Wolverines Varsity - Bellevue High School Football 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. Bellevue High School Football; Bellevue Football. In both games, seniors Ishaan Daniels and George Kruger were standouts. The booster club should be disbanded. 1 Bellevue past No. Cheerleaders capture the crowds attention during the game, but one group of Texas high school cheerleaders captured the attention of the entire nation due to their outlandish behavior. We will continue to defend our right, and the right of booster clubs around the state, to make these activities available to kids.. 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. 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. The coaching staff should be immediately dismissed. But, we would be lying if we said that there wasnt at least a benefit to these kids.. Comments (-1) BPS Summer STEM Camps. The Wolverines will face Snohomish High School, at home this Friday, in the Week 10 Crossover round. Really? They say proposed project will negatively impact Minidoka internment camp site. "He's still a vital part of the picture. This is a public high school and a strong message needs to be sent that this type of practice cannot be tolerated. "It's not just Bellevue. Washington state wants to be a leader in climate change, but I sense that the voters are not as concerned about that these days. 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. Now, we cannot be completely naive. 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. And that lofty tuition bill? It was a reminder of the Wolverines glorious past that got them fired up this week thanks to comments from Marysville-Pilchuck star running back Dylan Carson that fueled them for Saturdays matchup. Among the players who have attended Academic Institute were those instrumental in Bellevues recent 67-game winning streak: Myles Jack, a linebacker now at UCLA; Marcus Griffin, a defensive tackle at the University of Arizona; and Max Richmond, a wide receiver at the University of Washington. Until 1968, Washington state allowed restrictive housing covenants. Coach Kneip on the game, We had a great, physical week of practice, and it really paid off. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Unphased by the change, the boys loaded up the busses on Saturday evening, and headed north to Juanita High School in Kirkland. 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. 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. In all, six players were connected with 21 robberies that occurred in Carter neighborhoods. On Thursday, the Bellevue High School self-imposed sanctions on its football program and head coach for violations of WIAA rules.
Bellevue High School Football Scandal; Where Are the Adults? 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. 710 ESPN Seattles Danny ONeil thinks the parents are misguided. 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 established itself as one of the premier prep football programs in the nation with 11 state titles in the past 15 years. 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. 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. I have known athletes who have told of offers made by colleges. Kirsten Kendrick has been hosting Morning Edition on KNKX/KPLU since 2006. GSBA, Comcast, and other partners are working to address disparities in access to financial resources with the Ready for Business fund. They recently had a 67-game win streak snapped in the state championship game last December. It feels quaint to sit back and watch an old rerun of Friday Night Lights and see some rally girl doing Tim Riggins homework, or a star player finding a mysterious envelope with cash in it. An independent investigation found a series of violations at the powerhouse football program, including that coaches directed athletes to attend the school, that boosters paid for athletes tuition, that false addresses were used to gain eligibility and that coaches coordinated tuition payments for athletes. 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. These are the kinds of challenges we look for., Then, this past Friday, the Wolverines made the long drive up to Lake Stevens High School, home of the preseason 4A #1 Vikings. The Academic Institute was briefly involved in a athletic district investigation after the family complaint, but no one from the school spoke to investigators. 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. 9 Rainier Beach into WIAA 3A state semifinals, William Wangs career night lifts No. 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. 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. Sports news, analysis, opinions, and rumors. And a large percentage of those kids were athletes," Thiel said. 5 seeded Wolverines (8-2) walloped No. Staff reporter Mike Baker contributed to this report. Published: Oct. 14, 2022 at 6:55 PM PDT. Because of the legal challenge, Carter was allowed to go forward in the playoffs and they went on to a state title after defeating Converse Judson in the title game 31-14. A KingCo committee came down hard on Bellevue football Tuesday, banning the program from postseason play and prohibiting outside donations for four years. Part of Darien Freemans account, however, is corroborated by documents reviewed by the Seattle Times. %link% But KingCo officials saw Bellevues problems as requiring more severe sanctions. In the post-game interview, Coach Kneip told KING5, Its really fun to come out here in this great environment, packed house, theyre a great football team. 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. Wangs 64-yard burst up the middle with four minutes left gave the top-seeded Wolverines (14-0) the winning margin. Bellevue will be on bye this week, ahead of a Week 9 home game against Hazen to finish off the regular season. Jayson Jenks: 206-464-8277 or, cited in its report a preponderance of evidence that violations had occurred, 68-page independent report that found wide-ranging rules violations within the program, Bellevue football banned from postseason for 4 years, WIAA lifts Bellevue postseason ban, strips two state titles, Cedar Park Christian hires ex-Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff, Two-year ban for Goncharoff ruled violation of union rights, After upheaval, sanctions, Bellevue ready to get back to playing football again, Report: Bellevue coaches violated rules for years, district obstructed probe, was placed on a three-year probation last year, district had proposed a suspension of the teams booster club along with meetings.
Did The Truth Even Matter: The Real Bellevue Football Story (Did The The newspaper further documented its original article: The parents of a former Bellevue High School football player have disputed their sons account of his time on the team, calling a Sunday Seattle Times articleon the subject false and misleading.. 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. The Bellevue athletic department is on probation for four years. But the program's remarkable success has. 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. Of those 17 boys, seven were Bellevue football players. That was released a few months ago. Set the playing field equal, limit the activity of booster clubs to support supplies and travel costs. You can read the Times' entire investigation here.
Bellevue High coach pleads: 'This has been a setup since day one do 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. Any booster associated with this mess be banned from any financial or booster club membership for two years. The team should have to forfeit the championships it won. The No. Touchdowns by Daniels, Hansen, Rubin, Moon, Smith, and Matsudaira. Top-ranked Bellevue defeated Marysville Pilchuck, 27-3, in the 3A state football semifinals on Nov. 27 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook), (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook). I am also the father of a high school varsity athlete. An investigation released Tuesday revealed significant and long-standing violations by the Bellevue High School football program. That would be a likely violation of rules that generally require student-athletes to live within a schools attendance boundary. Players attend the school for academics but are allowed to play football at Bellevue if they live in the proper district. Washington needs more than 1 million homes in the next 20 years, Islanders speak out against Lava Ridge Wind Project, WA Lottery reveals Auburn woman as winner of $754.6 million Powerball jackpot, Victim energy is a siren song to which we must stop our ears | Whales Tales, Teams roll into action on renovated South Mercer Playfields. When I saw the David Horsey cartoon, light rail ambassadors inviting a fentanyl-smoking passenger to leave, I lost it, says a listener. Later, a traffic citation was issued to a Yusef Freeman with an address in SeaTac.
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. The final score is simply listed as Brady 1 Stamford 0 in the states record books. They don't have subpoena power because this is a trade association. To do whats best for your kid, he said. In Q2, senior Ishaan Daniels added his own long TD run, and quarterback Lucas Razore added not one, but two, TD passes to fellow junior Blake Teets (one for 19 yards, one for 43). football coach makes appeal after ban. 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. Our guys played pretty well, its just about getting better., Then, on Monday, the LW JV made the opposite trip, visiting BHS. 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. No, its not something we want to teach our kids as the right thing to do, he said. My son plays football as a freshman at Liberty High School, and of course the teams one loss this past year was to Bellevue. 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. All Rights Reserved. Ban Goncharoff from coaching football in Washington for life. And I think the only thing that can be a positive is major reformation. Its no surprise that we tend to have a lot of conversations about entitled young athletes. You depend on KNKX for trusted, in-depth local news, music by knowledgeable hosts and enlightening NPR programs. Members of the booster club have criticized the investigation, which was conducted bytwo former federal prosecutors hired by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). The investigators report and your editorial finally nailed it.. ONeil, however, says its misguided to think playing for Bellevue will be a ticket to free higher education, even if its a slightly more noble idea than parents creating super teams to win high school championships. 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.