Sunday, July 11, 1999
HIGH SCHOOL INSIDER
Massillon avoids playoff ban
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The punishment, or lack of it, could be sending the wrong message.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has put the Massillon Washington football program on a two-year probation for illegal recruiting. After a two-day hearing, OHSAA commissioner Clair Muscaro issued the punishment without revoking the school's right to play in the playoffs.
“I think this was the proper action,” said John Rossi, president of the OHSAA's Board of Control. “The evidence was there but not enough to show the Massillon coaches were involved. Clair didn't want to punish the other players.”
Along with the probation, Muscaro also ruled the recruited athlete is not eligible to play for Massillon Washington and if the school qualifies for the playoffs, they will only receive meal money and won't share in the game receipts.
This penalty appears lenient when compared to Middletown's two-year suspension in 1991 after the school admitted using an illegal player (four plays) and not reporting it after a 56-0 victory over Fairmont.
Middletown was not only barred from the playoffs for two years but also required to forfeit revenues generated from a Division I playoff appearance the week after the violation was uncovered.
At the time, Middletown was allowed to participate in the playoff game because an OHSAA rule prohibited the removal of a team once the qualifiers were determined. The rule has since been changed.
Middletown coach Jim Place resigned after the incident. He now is the head coach and athletic director at Dayton Chaminade-Julienne.
“I know I'll probably get in trouble for saying this but I thought the penalty for Middletown was very stiff,” said Place, a native of Massil lon. “I'd rather not comment on Massillon's penalty because I don't know all the facts.”
Muscaro's integrity can't be questioned. But the fact Massillon Washington has hosted the state playoffs since 1990 and Muscaro grew up in Northern Ohio may be factors to a lenient penalty.
Charges of illegal recruiting often run rampant in Cincinnati and throughout Ohio, especially after a star athlete changes schools.
Most accusations are leveled against parochial and private schools such as St. Xavier, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Moeller and Cincinnati Country Day. Cleveland St. Ignatius' football team and Lakewood St. Edward's wrestling program are main targets in Northern Ohio.
Because of a lack of concrete evidence, few of the alleged violations ever reach the OHSAA.
“In all the years I've been involved, this is only the second or third time I can recall recruiting charges,” Rossi said. “Sometimes the matter is handled by the school and doesn't reach the OHSAA office in Columbus.”
Right or wrong, Muscaro's decision is final. But what about future violations?
If found guilty, schools will expect the same type of leniency.
Muscaro was in control in 1991 and levied the penalty against Middletown. Middletown officials have reportedly told the OHSAA they would accept the punishment without contesting it in court.
Going to court is a costly option. But maybe it's time for the OHSAA to take a tough stance and go to court if necessary, before it's too late.
STATE PROFITS: Moving the boys basketball tournament and wrestling meets to the Value City Arena at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus proved to be a financial success for the OHSAA.
Figures released by the OHSAA show the 1999 boys state basketball tournament generated a record profit of $938,838.70, compared to $630,004.60 in 1998 when played at St.John Arena. However, profits from the boys regional basketball tournaments were down in 1999. After earning $281,471.98 in 1998, the tournaments made $255,222.84 this season.
Profits rose more than 300 percent as a result of moving the state wrestling meet from Wright State's 11,000-seat Nutter Center in Fairborn to the Schottenstein Center.
The 1999 tournament earned $159,440.59 after earning $51,519.93 in 1998.
Despite sellouts at every session, the state swimming and diving meet in Canton lost $2,119.70 compared to a loss of $10,415.85 in 1998.
LACROSSE: If there were any doubts about Brandon Sallee's scoring ability, they were erased last week at the Vail Lacrosse Shootout in Vail, Colo.
Playing for Team Ohio, Sallee scored 15 goals, including four in the championship game against New Hampshire, and was named MVP of the national tournament won by Team Ohio.
During the 1999 high school season, Sallee set Moeller's single season scoring record with 86 goals and also the single game record with 11 against Cleveland St. Ignatius.
“Brandon shoots a lot and scores a lot,” Sallee's father, Jack, said. “He was invited to play for Team Ohio and it was a fantastic experience for him.”
OPENINGS: Withrow is looking for a tennis coach. Contact principal Paul Ramstetter at 533-5700.
Northwest is looking for assistant football coaches. Call Rich Craig at 742-6340.
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