The Bellevue High (Seattle) football team is reportedly aided through a diploma mill private school, according to an investigation by The Seattle Times. And a large percentage of those kids were athletes," Thiel said. At least 17 Bellevue football players attended the program over the past seven years, the Seattle Times has learned. 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. I correct you Sir they are in your charge as Student Athletes at Bellevue High School taking a physical education class, thereby bound by all the rules and regulations attendant to participating in any WIAA competitive sport which includes providing financial aid. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid . In the second half, Bellevue let their young guns get a taste of the MI rivalry under the big lights, and played out the remainder of the game under a running clock. The deluge culminated in a 34-0 halftime lead for BHS. 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. Brady rolled through the playoffs that year up until the state game beating Belton (66-8), Taylor (30-8), Jasper (24-0) and Palacios (22-0). Who do these kids think they are? What makes them think they are so deserving? You know what? Usain Bolt defeats Justin Gatlin, defends 100-meter title. Tacoma WA 98418. A judge has sentenced 10 current and former high school athletes to prison terms of up to 25 years for their roles in numerous armed robberies in the Dallas area over the past year. Later, when the family lived in SeaTac, he said, his mother would drop him off at a bus stop in Renton to commute. Carter High . You depend on KNKX for trusted, in-depth local news, music by knowledgeable hosts and enlightening NPR programs. Bellevue junior Cal Zimmerman (#8) scores a touchdown as Snohomish seniors Miles Lamb (#8) and Easton Leonard (#24) attempt to tackle. Some of Bellevue football's top players came from South Sound schools Due to state-wide ref shortages, the Wolverines trip to the jungle at Mercer Island High School was moved from Friday night to Thursday. I have known athletes who have told of offers made by colleges. All rights reserved. HOME 5-1 AWAY 4-1 NEUTRAL 0-1. I think that theres a lot of different layers to understanding exactly what is going on., Related: Teen football player tackles suspected shoplifter. The families of two other players have described how supporters of the football program had a role in coordinating scholarships for the players. It is high time to clean up this mess. Food, Drink, and Coastal Christmas Anacortes has it all. The Academic Institute has a monthly tuition of $1,750. The parents disputed Freemans account in which he said his father had asked him to thank Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff for helping pay rent. KingCo reviewed sanctions that Bellevue had proposed for itself in the wake of a 68-page independent report that found wide-ranging rules violations within the program. 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. These findings only corroborate what is probably the worst kept secret in the history of high school sports. I think its terrible when parents get involved and start trying to tilt the playing field for high school sports, he said. Until 1968, Washington state allowed restrictive housing covenants. It was so one-sided and evident that something was different about this team in comparison to the other nine teams Liberty played against., For every year they won the state championship, that should be the number of years they are not qualified to compete in theplayoffs. Make it hurt. In 2003 Thiel wrote the definitive book about the Seattle Mariners, Out of Left Field, which became a regional bestseller. The coach should be a faculty member and actually teach classes., These coaches and families have only helped these kids progress in a more beneficial way through life. Ask yourself these questions while you scan the details: Where in the name of all that is right were the parents? 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. In both games, seniors Ishaan Daniels and George Kruger were standouts. 9-0 on the season, BACK ON TRACK! Nobody is talking about the kids who lived in-district whose spots were taking by athletic carpetbaggers., Sothe investigation found that, among other things, Bellevue boosters paid tuitionfor some players to attend an alternative school (just like many kids do) in order to receive instruction, compatible with their learning styles,that they needed to improve their academic standing. I have been watching professional and college sports for more than 40 years, and have been covering college football for Last Word on Sports for two years. But, we would be lying if we said that there wasnt at least a benefit to these kids.. Sophomore Ryken Moon took the opening kickoff back for a TD, junior Colin Miller had an interception, junior Luke Soma added a field goal, and junior Cal Zimmerman had his own pick-6. A high school state football championship in Texas is arguably about more than just temporary bragging rights. The blatant efforts by school and district officials to obstruct the investigation demonstrate their complicity in cheating, their utter disregard for the truth and their complete lack of integrity. Kirsten is also a sports lover. Saint Mary's guard Logan Johnson knows both sides of the Zags-Gaels rivalry , "It should be an awesome environment": Gonzaga's WCC title hopes depend on outcome vs. Gaels , Gonzaga rewind: Ben Gregg continues to thrive in expanded role, helps Gonzaga thump San Diego , Daily marijuana use raises risk of heart disease by 34%, study indicates, 'Growing up I can say I fell victim to being a Gonzaga fan.' Bellevue has 12 buildings taller than 25 stories, 10 of them built since 2005. 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. 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. Freeman described in detail the hours he spent busing from Auburn to Bellevue, catching a 5:30 a.m. bus to start class around 8:15. 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. You can read the Times' entire investigation here. That would be a likely violation of rules that generally require student-athletes to live within a schools attendance boundary. After their work in the back half of the Friday night game, the Bellevue JV made the Monday drive to the Sammamish Plateau, to face off against KingCo 4A opponent Eastlake Wolves. 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. Supporters of the Bellevue football program have shared the letter on social media. The Bellevue High football team is reportedly aided by a diploma mill private school. It's finally come to a head. Updated: 7:13 PM PDT July 8, 2016. Bellevue High School Football One son married a runner-up from The Bachelor TV show and became an assistant football coach at Bellevue. Bier on the Pier takes place on October 7th and 8th and features local ciders, food trucks and live music - not to mention the beautiful views of the Guemes Channel and backdrop of downtown Anacortes. The events took place under the watch of school district officials who conceded that discounted tuition for athletes would constitute a violation of state athletic rules, a district document shows. No, its not something we want to teach our kids as the right thing to do, he said. Goncharoff got a slap on the wrist, just a two-game suspension for providing cash to a player when he should have been suspended for the season and the school banned from post season play. After finding steroids in her sons athletic bag in September of 2004, a Colleyville Heritage mom approached school administrators after verifying the contents through a local drug store. He's not going quietly. Records reviewed by the Seattle Times, however, show that Freemans father has had a home address in Auburn. An independent investigation found a series of potential violations on the Bellevue High School football program. Therevelation is not a product of bias or envy. State District . During that conversation on Sunday, Freeman reaffirmed the other aspects of his account. Bellevue school officials have previously told Bellevue head coach Butch Goncharoff that the district will seek to terminate him for violations of district policies. Fire them all immediately.. Coach Kneip said after the victory, Amazing atmosphere tonight!! Bellevue can appeal for that sanction to be reduced one year early. In their opening possession, Carson Rubin zigged and zagged, dicing the defense with a 29-yard touchdown run. "They said four years of probation for the entire athletic department, a four-year ban for football on postseason play, and also non-conference play, as well as inviting any out-of-state opponents to play Bellevue High School. Once you address these issues, thenlets talk about a level playing field.. Coach Kneip said, after the game, What an awesome night to celebrate a group of guys who have given so much to this program! 1. Senior William Wang piled up 182 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 32 carries, and the Bellevue defense was tough as the top-seeded Wolverines laid a 27-3 licking on No. Wangs 64-yard burst up the middle with four minutes left gave the top-seeded Wolverines (14-0) the winning margin. More of the money went to pay for school; the kind with no real academics. "It was discovered that there were athletes competing under false addresses in the Bellevue district. Amazing game and ending for Bellevue Wolverines, 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. The donors and contributors to this school should be identified. Have no fear, Bellevue Faithful, the East Channel Bridge rivalry is very much alive. Goncharoff released a statement after KingCos sanctions were handed down. Embattled Bellevue High School football coaches took another hit Friday as an executive board made up of high school principals increased penalties for the head . This is another example of the incredibly flawed process that has been guiding this investigation for months. We will continue to defend our right, and the right of booster clubs around the state, to make these activities available to kids.. Or that they never had homework from that school? football coach makes appeal after ban. This isnt a player finding $100 cash in his locker. Yusef Freeman did not return a call Friday seeking comment on his letter. To deny them the ability to compete with their peers is wrong and goes against every principle of youth sports.. Thiel said the complaints have been leveled at the Bellevue High School football program for years, but the scandal erupted after an investigation by the Seattle Times last year. Final score: Wolverines 53, Panthers 12. The ref denied any use of racial slurs during the game. Part of Darien Freemans account, however, is corroborated by documents reviewed by the Seattle Times. But the programs remarkable success has depended, in part, on players who werent actually Bellevue High students. Of the 24-23 loss, Coach Kneip said, Theyre a really, really well-coached, high quality program. Bellevue wraps up undefeated season with 3A state title. But Notre Dame-bound RB Jayden Limar led a second half comeback, eventually closing the game out 37-28. We asked readers for their thoughts on what repercussions the Bellevue football program should face, as well as what the scandal says about high-school sports. Bellevue High School has the most successful football program in state history - winning 11 titles in the last 15 years. Here is a selection of the. There are absolutely no facts to support KingCos conclusion they have foolishly relied on the false inferences of the WIAAs original report, Goncharoffs statement said.