January 29, 2004
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors in a telephone conference call Thursday heard an appeal from Chicago (Hales Franciscan) High School regarding penalties assessed against its boys basketball team and coaching staff.
Following deliberation on all the information available, it was the decision of the Board that the school remains suspended from participating in the upcoming (2003-04 school term) state tournament series. It was the Board's conclusion that Hales Franciscan High School did not demonstrate compliance with mandates outlined in September.
In September, the Board required Hales Franciscan to provide in writing a plan to educate its staff regarding IHSA by-laws and policies. The school was also required to provide the Board with a more complete explanation in writing of what occurred during the past summer regarding its boys basketball team in light of the restrictions placed upon it by the Association on May 15. Finally, the school's principal and athletic director were both required to attend one of the 2003-04 Town Meetings/Principals Rules Meetings.
In addition, based on the testimony presented today, the Board concluded that during the 2002-03 boys basketball season Hales Franciscan had used an additional coach, not previously disclosed, who was in violation of IHSA By-law 2.070.
Original
Ruling
On May 15, 2003, a series of penalties
involving Hales Franciscan and its head boys
basketball coach for violation of several IHSA
by-laws were announced, and the school was
informed of the penalties and findings. The IHSA
initiated an investigation of the boys basketball
program at Hales Franciscan after reviewing a
series of quotes made by Coach Gary London during
and following the 2003 IHSA Class A Boys
Basketball State Finals in Peoria. Hales
Franciscan won the state championship.
In the original penalties, Hales
Franciscan head boys basketball coach Gary London
was suspended from coaching at any IHSA member
school until Dec. 14, 2003, for his involvement in
organizing the Hales Franciscan basketball team
outside the IHSA season limitations (By-laws 2.090
and 5.040) and for violation of IHSA recruiting
rules (Bylaws 3.071 and 3.073).
In addition, Hales Franciscan was
placed on probation for the 2003-04 school term.
The school was held responsible not only for the
violations committed by Coach London, but also for
employing two basketball coaches who did not meet
IHSA requirements regarding coaching
qualifications. (By-law 2.070).
Hales Franciscan High School also was
prohibited from sponsoring summer programs related
to boys basketball during the summer of 2003, and
its basketball coaches were prohibited from
utilizing any of the 25 contact days outlined in
By-law 3.153.
Press Release from
May Board of Directors Meeting
Appeal
of Gary London
On August 11, 2003, Head Boys Basketball Coach Gary London of Hales Franciscan appeared before the IHSA Board of Directors to appeal his suspension. After hearing his testimony, the Board sustained the Executive Director's ruling.
During the appeal hearing, questions arose regarding the compliance with the sanctions imposed on May 15. The Board of Directors asked Gary London, Athletic Director Sean Stalling, and the Hales Franciscan principal to appear before the Board on September 8 to clarify those questions.
Press Release from
August Board of Directors Meeting
Hearing of
Sept. 8, 2003
At its meeting on Sept. 8, 2003, the Board questioned Athletic Director Sean Stalling and Head Boys Basketball Coach Gary London regarding the school's compliance with the original sanctions. The Hales Franciscan principal did not attend. After hearing their testimony, the Board suspended Hales Franciscan from the 2003-04 boys state basketball tournament series and mandated the additional requirements that were under review today.
Press Release from
September Board of Directors Meeting
Hearing
of Jan. 12, 2004
There was no communication between the
school and the IHSA Office from the Sept. 8 Board
meeting until the end of November.
Subsequent documents provided by Hales
Franciscan to the IHSA Office did not arrive in
time to be included on the agenda for the regular
Dec. 8, 2003, Board meeting.
Consequently, the hearing was scheduled for
the regular Jan. 12, 2004, meeting.
At that meeting, the Board reviewed
correspondence provided by Hales Franciscan and
information gathered by IHSA staff, and took no
action regarding its suspension of Hales
Franciscan from the 2003-04 boys basketball state
tournament series. The Board determined that the
requirements it made of Hales Franciscan at the
Sept. 8 meeting had not been fulfilled.