kaorder1999
11-21-2007, 02:08 PM
South Oak Cliff disputes report of ineligible player
Mays says Ch. 8 inquiry into 2005-06 state title is 'totally fabricated'
03:35 AM CST on Wednesday, November 21, 2007
By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News
dsayles@dallasnews.com
South Oak Cliff boys basketball coach James Mays II said Tuesday he would welcome an investigation after WFAA-TV (Channel 8) reported the school may have violated the UIL's ineligibility rule during its 2005-06 championship season.
WFAA reported that former player Kendrake Johnigan, a shooting guard on SOC's 2005-06 team, should not have participated in that season's state tournament because he was academically ineligible.
Johnigan scored 11 points in the Class 4A championship game, a 76-58 win over Fort Worth Dunbar.
Video: WFAA's report
Mays said Channel 8's investigation is "...totally fabricated.
"We have never, nor will we ever, play a player that's ineligible," Mays said. "We haven't broken any UIL rules or jeopardized any championships won here.
"Rules are rules. They're set for people to follow. It's that simple."
WFAA reported that Johnigan's grades were changed before the state tournament. The report indicated UIL officials planned to investigate.
Messages left Tuesday afternoon for DISD athletic director Jeff Johnson, UIL athletic director Dr. Charles Breithaupt and UIL athletic coordinator Darryl Beasley were not returned.
Mays said the accusations are an old issue that he said was discussed and resolved last year.
"We talked to our athletic department. We talked to our administration downtown. They personally went through it and found no evidence of any wrongdoing," Mays said. "It bothered them that someone would put out a story like this, and it bothers us, too.
"I don't let any of my kids play if they don't pass. Our district's looked into it, and I'm looking forward to the UIL looking into it. We need some type of vindication from this."
WFAA reported that DISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa intended on investigating the situation.
"We have the highest expectations that we do things right," Hinojosa told WFAA.
"We are very proud of our students when they are successful, but we expect to win by the rules."
Mays says Ch. 8 inquiry into 2005-06 state title is 'totally fabricated'
03:35 AM CST on Wednesday, November 21, 2007
By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News
dsayles@dallasnews.com
South Oak Cliff boys basketball coach James Mays II said Tuesday he would welcome an investigation after WFAA-TV (Channel 8) reported the school may have violated the UIL's ineligibility rule during its 2005-06 championship season.
WFAA reported that former player Kendrake Johnigan, a shooting guard on SOC's 2005-06 team, should not have participated in that season's state tournament because he was academically ineligible.
Johnigan scored 11 points in the Class 4A championship game, a 76-58 win over Fort Worth Dunbar.
Video: WFAA's report
Mays said Channel 8's investigation is "...totally fabricated.
"We have never, nor will we ever, play a player that's ineligible," Mays said. "We haven't broken any UIL rules or jeopardized any championships won here.
"Rules are rules. They're set for people to follow. It's that simple."
WFAA reported that Johnigan's grades were changed before the state tournament. The report indicated UIL officials planned to investigate.
Messages left Tuesday afternoon for DISD athletic director Jeff Johnson, UIL athletic director Dr. Charles Breithaupt and UIL athletic coordinator Darryl Beasley were not returned.
Mays said the accusations are an old issue that he said was discussed and resolved last year.
"We talked to our athletic department. We talked to our administration downtown. They personally went through it and found no evidence of any wrongdoing," Mays said. "It bothered them that someone would put out a story like this, and it bothers us, too.
"I don't let any of my kids play if they don't pass. Our district's looked into it, and I'm looking forward to the UIL looking into it. We need some type of vindication from this."
WFAA reported that DISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa intended on investigating the situation.
"We have the highest expectations that we do things right," Hinojosa told WFAA.
"We are very proud of our students when they are successful, but we expect to win by the rules."