B.A. Tigers to Forfeit Two Games
By RICH LOHMAN
Sports Writer
TOUGH NIGHT: Broken Arrow Head Coach Steve Spavital was stern as his Tigers lost a home game to rival Union 38-21 on Sept. 20.
Broken Arrow High School will self-impose sanctions on the high school football and track programs after it was found to be in violation of OSSAA rules involving student eligibility.
The self-imposition of penalties stems from an incident five years ago where a student repeated the eighth grade and did not sit out of athletics that year, which meant his athletic eligibility ran out in his junior year.
“By not sitting out a year in middle school, the student was effectively ineligible during his senior year,” Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Chuck Perry, who oversees athletics, says. The student, who was not identified in the school’s statement, participated in both football and track.
As a result, two football games, a season-opening win over Owasso and a loss to Bentonville, Ark. from the 2012-13 schedule are to be forfeited, as well as five track meets that will also be forfeited in order to stave off further sanctions from the OSSAA.
Broken Arrow became aware of the violation in June, and it was confirmed by an internal audit. No other violations were discovered. Broken Arrow had nearly 1,400 students participating in athletics during the 2012-13 school year.
In addition to the sanctions, Executive Athletic Director Ken Ellett and assistant coach Brad Farrow will be suspended for the school year. Assistant Athletic Director Steve Spavital will be removed from his position. Spavital will remain as head coach of the Tigers.
Updated 10-01-2013
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