Eaglecrest administration and programs sanctioned after failure to report violation in 2017
AURORA — All activity and athletic programs at Eaglecrest High School are on probation after an administrative self-report revealed that the school had failed to report a violation during the 2017 football season.
The football team played an ineligible player for two games in the 2017 season. As a result, the school has vacated wins against Bear Creek (Sept. 28, 2017) and Rocky Mountain (Oct. 6, 2017). Their 2017 regular season record will be reflected as 8-2, which would not have removed them from the Class 5A playoffs.
Because of that, the investigation turned from postseason play to a failure to report the violation.
Restrictive and unprecedented sanctions have been placed on the Eaglecrest administration and former athletic staff to stress the importance of educationally-based activities. Included in the sanctions is a year-long restriction of any supervisory roles at CHSAA activities for one staff member; another staff member will not be permitted to serve on any CHSAA committees or seeding committees for four years.
Among the bylaws cited is 2330.1, through which a restriction can be imposed for “any action or conduct that the Commissioner deems detrimental to the mission of the Colorado High School Activities Association.”
Included in the letter from CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green to the Cherry Creek School District: “In the event that the on-going investigation reveals additional violations, the CHSAA staff reserves the right to apply rulings that could affect any 2017 postseason honors earned by the football program.”
“We would like to thank the Cherry Creek School District administrative team, especially superintendent Scott Siegfried, district athletic director Larry Bull, and CHSAA assistant commissioner Bud Ozzello, for their leadership as we navigated this unfortunate, yet preventable situation,” Blanford-Green said.
In a letter to the Eaglecrest community, Siegfried wrote: “The Cherry Creek School District takes this matter and all potential violations of CHSAA rules and regulations very seriously. We are committed to fairness and transparency in all of our programming, including sports and activities. I want to thank CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green for her partnership and CHSAA’s continued support of our students.
“Eaglecrest High School has a strong and committed staff with deep roots in the school community who will ensure students continue to receive high-quality education during this interim. Additionally, we have met with players and parents of the varsity football team this evening and we look forward to their continued success this season.”
