Indy allowed to play

Independence player removed,
but team allowed to play
RYAN BASEN
[email protected]
An Independence High School football player whose eligibility was questioned by the Observer is no longer on the school's football team, school district officials announced this afternoon.

The Independence team will be allowed to continue its season, with a playoff game Friday night. The rules governing eligibility do not penalize the entire team if a student provides false eligibility information.

Based on an Observer inquiry, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools benched Independence player Ranzell Watkins Jr. before last week's playoff game and began an inquiry into his residency.

"When issues such as this one arise, CMS conducts an investigation," said Vicki Hamiliton, the district's athletic director. "The investigation raised significant concerns about the residency of the student athlete, such that the appropriate decision is to remove the student athlete from the team and avoid any possible penalty for the rest of the team."



Let the debate begin.

 

What about all of those games they won with him? Forfeit those and they don't even make the playoffs. Doesn't seem fair to South Meck since they tried to at least go through the proper steps.

Since when does lying and getting caught lying give you a loophole to continue? What message does that send? CMS is more f'ed up that I thought.

South Meck will surely question this along with many other schools/school districts.

 

Probably just the tip of the iceberg.

 

What about all those other kids who played their butts off....Should the be penalized?

 

Then what about all the other teams that has had kids play their butts off and yet they loose their season?


Forget the Independence Patriots

New name...Independence Untouchables.

 

What about all the kids that played thier butts off against a team with an ineligible player? Hope East Burke sticks it too 'em friday!

 

Good point. Was that kid that good?

 

It would suck, just ask the South Meck players. We had to forfeit most of our games my Jr. year due to an ineligble player. Just seems there is a double standard here.

No one has talked about the crapload the NCHSAA will make off the gate from this game either.....$$$$$$$!!!!

Big "I" may get the title this year, but it will end after this year as they will have more "EYES" on them and where their players are actually coming from.

 

what were the circumstances on the S Meck player?

edit:nevermind found plenty of info on Charlotte.com

 

If Im a South Meck parent, I'd be getting with the other parents to take unilateral action against CMS and demand the resignation of CMS Athletics Director, Vicki Hamilton. This is so ridiculous for South Meck to report its own ineligible player and then get screwed out of a possibility of winning a state title while Independence broke the same rules and their season continues. There is a major conflict of interest in this situation.

East Burke should win this game by default because Independence broke the rules. However, I know the folks in Icard want this game and normally, I dont agree with the East Burke faithful...but in this regard.

KICK SOME CHEATIN' PATRIOT A$$!!!!