Virginia high school football coach suspended over recruiting

June 26, 2015 / Athletic AdministrationFootball
A Virginia high school football coach has been suspended three games and his team will be on three years of probation after an investigation turned up a number of recruiting violations.

Ocean Lakes High School's football team will be on three years of probation after an investigation found numerous recruiting violations.
Ocean Lakes High School’s football team will be on three years of probation after an investigation found numerous recruiting violations.

Coach Chris Scott of Ocean Lakes High School (Virginia Beach) led the Dolphins to a Group 6A title last season, finishing with a perfect 15-0 record. He’ll now miss part of the upcoming season and will be barred from summer practice, with the exception of the first week.

Here is what was found during the investigation, according to ABC 13 News in Virginia Beach:

• A picture of middle school students identified as the “Core Four” wearing Ocean Lakes uniforms. At the time of the photograph, three of the four were not living in the Ocean Lakes attendance zone.

• An online news story highlighting a talented Bayside Middle School football player being honored at an Ocean Lakes varsity football game.

• A photo of players on the sidelines at a 14U football game wearing uniforms that once belonged to the high school. It is our understanding the school provided these uniforms to the team even though School Board policy notes uniforms are not to be given or sold to students or athletic leagues not affiliated with the school.

• A 14U football program used the name Ocean Lakes Dolphins and an email (also addressed to students outside the Ocean Lakes attendance zone), from the team organizer invited students to participate in pre-season workouts in the Ocean Lakes weight room.

• An email from the parent of an eighth-grader in another attendance zone. This email indicates that the student was originally going to play Ocean Lakes spring ball, but when the student advised organizers of intentions to play for another school he was not allowed to continue playing with the Ocean Lakes team.

• A Facebook post from an Ocean Lakes High School assistant coach that notes, “Not telling you what to do with your children but read this article and guess what school my sons going too (sic). Guess what coach their playing for. (sic). That many kids going to college from one high school is crazy!!…Ocean Lakes is a college coach second home!!”


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