IHSA Announcements
September 23, 1999
Recap of Findings and Rulings in Lake Zurich Eligibility of a Student
Findings
IHSA Executive director Dave Fry has found that a student who attends Lake Zurich High School, and who is residing in the district with Lake Zurich football Coach Wayne Kuklinski, had his legal guardianship changed from his mother to Mr. Kuklinski on Sept. 16, 1999.
The student is a senior at Lake Zurich and has attended school there and at no other high school. His mother, the then custodial parent, moved from the district in early August of 1999. The student remained in Lake Zurich High School and lived with Mr. Kuklinski, and still does.
The student has participated in three football games for Lake Zurich.
Rulings
The student has been ruled ineligible from the start of the 1999-00 school term until Sept. 16 for noncompliance with by-law 3.030, and has been ruled ineligible regarding residence from Sept. 16 until Oct. 4, provided he resides in the Lake Zurich district with his court appointed guardian.
Lake Zurich is required to forfeit games it won during this period for use of an ineligible player.
Lake Zurich football Coach Wayne Kuklinski has been censured for his involvement in the matter which influenced and accommodated John Nelson's remaining in the Lake Zurich district, and is warned that any further violations of the by-laws will bring more stringent penalties.
Lake Zurich wrestling coach Dan Stricker is warned against any further involvement with students which could lead to violations of the by-laws.
Lake Zurich High School is admonished to review its practices for checking to be sure all its student athletes are fully in compliance with all IHSA by-laws and is submit a written report to the IHSA Office of any steps it takes to provide such assurance in the future.