Sunday, February 06, 2000
HIGH SCHOOL INSIDER
OHSAA may have to look at recruiting
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Illegal recruiting continues to be a growing concern for the Ohio High School Athletic Association .
During the past year, the number of complaints registered with the OHSAA has grown. Girls and boys basketball are the major focus.
As a result, OHSAA commissioner Clair Muscaro has requested that steps be taken in order that everyone has a clear understanding of the definition of recruiting. “It is imperative that school officials review the recruiting bylaws with their entire coaching staffs and booster club members,” Muscaro wrote.
“Comments to prospective athletes and athletes at other schools to attend your school, is prohibited and must cease immediately. Please don't jeopardize the tournament participation of an entire squad due to recruiting violations.”
The OHSAA bylaws are clear and concise.
• 4-9-1: “A student is considered a prospective athlete upon enrolling in the seventh grade, or the grade corresponding to the seventh grade for a student from a foreign country.”
• 4-9-2: “The use of influence by any person connected or not connected with the school to secure or retain a prospective athlete is not permitted and shall cause the student to be ineligible upon transfer and shall jeopardize the standing of the school in the Association.”
Remaining bylaws say a prospective athlete may visit schools within the district of residence before enrolling, that no school employee can have contact with an athletic prior to enrollment and that potential athletes can not be offered any kind of inducement.
At least one of the recruting complaints registered with the OHSAA came from Vickie Stambaugh, girls basketball coach at St. Bernard, who alleged another school had violated Bylaw 4-9-2.
However, Muscaro turned down the request for an investigation, informing Stambaugh in a letter that there was insufficient evidence to pursue the matter.
Despite the growing concern about recruiting violations, the OHSAA isn't equipped to look into the allegations.
But, if the trend continues, the OHSAA may be forced to look into the expensive endeavor of hiring or establishing an investigative group to remedy the situation.
DYNAMIC DUO: When the names Sarah Melvin and Lindsay Austin are mentioned, Sycamore girls basketball coach Paula Hayden breaks into a smile.
“These girls may be small (5-foot-6) but are dynamite,” Hayden said. “Although they are tiny, they are such unbelievable leaders and do everything well.”
The statistics compiled by the senior duo spell through 17 games bear out Hayden's praise.
Austin is averaging 10.9 points, 3.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 3.4 steals while Melvin is at 11.6 points, 4.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 steals.
SIGNINGS: Ohio State, Rutgers, and Southern California were some of the colleges interested in signing Summit Country Day's Jack Cummings, an all state soccer player.
However, Cummings decided to sign with South Carolina after visiting the Columbia campus and meeting with Mark Berson, the Gamecocks head coach.
“I picked South Carolina because they're a top 20 team and had a bunch of open spots,” Cummings said. “I'll be playing sweeper, which is the position I played as a freshman at Summit.”
CLINIC: The Southwestern Ohio Football Coaches Association is sponsoring the three-day Dick Kerin Clinic, beginning Thursday and concluding Saturday at the Holiday Inn, Sharonville.
The clinic is open to all high school, junior high and pee-wee coaches at a cost of $70 at the door.
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