Hidalgo in trouble

[Bull Butter]

Those of us in South Texas know this has been a long time coming and just the tip of the iceberg...........

http://www.rgvsports.com/articles/committee-5609-hidalgo-monday.html

32-3A committee recommends probation for Hidalgo athletics

November 02, 2009 10:30 PM
David Hinojosa
RGVSports.com
The District 32-3A committee recommended Monday that Hidalgo ISD’s athletic department be placed on two years probation, Rio Hondo ISD superintendent and committee member Annie McMinn confirmed.

The UIL state executive committee will rule on that penalty when it next meets on Nov. 16 in Austin. Ed Stidham, the UIL compliance director, said the state executive committee could uphold that penalty and perhaps issue additional sanctions based on the findings from the Nov. 16 meeting. Monday’s sanction will not go into effect until the state executive committee rules on them.

La Feria superintendent Nabor Cortez, who chaired Monday’s district executive committee meeting, did not immediately return phone messages or an e-mail on Monday. Hidalgo ISD referred all inquires about Monday’s meeting to Stidham.

Stidham could not comment on the specifics on the district committee’s findings because he had not seen the paperwork from Monday’s meeting. However, he did say Monday’s meeting was spurred one month ago when the state executive committee met to determine the eligibility of an athlete who had moved to the Hidalgo ISD school district.

At the Oct. 7 meeting, the state executive committee ruled the athlete had moved for athletic purposes. At that time, Stidham said the state executive committee instructed Hidalgo ISD officials to do some investigative work into other student-athletes who had moved into Hidalgo after the issue had been raised during testimony.

It’s been a turbulent school year for Hidalgo ISD so far. Last week, athletic director Albert Guerra was reassigned. Last spring, Hidalgo ISD athletics enjoyed a successful run as its girls basketball team advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals for the first time in school history in March. The Pirates also won the Class 4A boys soccer state title in April after losing in the state semifinals two years earlier.

[dirtysouth]

Why would they punish every kid in the school for that? Why not punish the people that let this go through? I could not imagine being at a school and having to miss my Jr. & Sr. year of sports. I wonder if the state would let them go to a different school to participate much they do for academics when a school get an unacceptable rating?

[OldBison75]

In general, the result of this could be that the school still participates in all activities with some players and maybe coaches punished by probation or ineligibility. The team can still play every game and even win the district by record, but they cannot participate in the playoffs and cannot be crowned the recognized district champs. The more likely scenerio is that the school is placed on probation and players and coaches are ruled ineligible. Some games may be forfieted (doubtful since they will already be into the playoffs). They will probably be forbidden from playoffs next year and then just on probation the next. You very seldon see this type penalty for more than one year except when there is a proven record of violations. I agree that the athletic director and coaches should be punished the most since they are the ones that should set the example of dignity, fairness, and honor. However, the athlete is also responsible to not intentionally deceive or try to manipulate the rules to gain an advantage. I don't know the details in this case, but this smells of recruiting and if so the athlete and the school are both responsible and should both be punished.

[Johnny Utah]

Ed Stidham, used to be the Superintendent at Bartlett. They won a few state football titles during his tenure. Is the ruling for all sports or just for a few selected sports? Buddy of mine said they had a few move ins in boys basketball as well.

[Phil C]

Hmmmmmmm! :(

[Old Tiger]

Simply put what happened?

[Bull Butter]

http://www.krgv.com/sports/story/Hidalgo-Player-Eligibility-Sparks-UIL-Interest/bf8kZJWE4EqVZo7atG8qXA.cspx

Hidalgo Player Eligibility Sparks UIL Interest

Last Update: 12:02 am

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HIDALGO - Four days after we told you that Hidalgo's athletic director Albert Guerra was relieved of his duties, CHANNEL 5 NEWS has gone digging for answers and today, we have some new information after taking our search to the state capitol

The UIL in Austin tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS last month, a delegation from Hidalgo came before a UIL executive committee to appeal a ruling made by the 32-3A district committee here in the Valley. This appeal concerned a player's eligibility.

The UIL denied the appeal and they also directed Hidalgo's superintendent, Edward Blaha, to investigate his own district in light of new information surrounding possible UIL violations.

Since the investigation has begun, there have been two personnel moves in the Hidalgo school district.

Albert Guerra has been relieved of his duties and assistant girls' basketball coach Arnold Martinez has resigned from his post.

Later this month, the UIL executive committee will be expecting to hear more about this case as Hidalgo's superintendent is scheduled to come before the committee on November the 16th with a final report on the matter.