Students, Parents Rally In Support Of Miramar High’s Patriots
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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Members of the Miramar High Patriots football team, along with parents and supporters, protested Thursday morning outside the district’s School Board building after learning the team was booted from the playoffs over alleged violations involving impermissible benefits.
The Broward School district says based on allegations pm student eligibility and improper benefits, they self-reported to the Florida High School Athletic Association and vacated from the Class 8A playoff bracket.
“I was disappointed, I’m a senior, all we have is football,” said linebacker Laboris Alvis. “We are trying to fight for a state championship and for them to just come in there and tell us something like that, it hurts.”
Players say the district’s athletic director, Damian Huttenhoff, gave them the news before practice Wednesday. The director told them the investigation involved “cash benefits.”
Huttenhoff was unavailable for comment.
Controversy concerning Miramar’s football program rose in October when coach Mathew Strout resigned and claimed the school had allowed ineligible players to participate in this season’s games because their GPAs were below the required 2.0.
An email to parents from the schools principal said the grade issue was cleared and the students were allowed to play.
“This is happening because of a coach that wants vengeance who was forced to resign,” said the Patriots interim coach Antwan Scott. “Now he’s bringing up allegations that are false and 70 kids have to pay because of a conman’s statement which is not true.”
A source close to the investigation told CBS4′s Gaby Fleischman that Strout also accused several students of being paid to play–including senior receiver Jovon Durante who transferred to Miramar High from Miami Norland last summer.
“Everything going on, everything is just a lie,” said Durante. “I was never offered money. I never took any money, I never thought about taking money.”
Parents said their children are being robbed of their chance at a championship because of rumors.
“These kids are out there working hard and I don’t think they have the right to just take it from them without any evidence,” said Maria Hill.
In response to the protest, Broward Schools issued a statement which read in part:
“At all times, the District intends to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). The District and Broward District Schools Police are continuing to investigate various allegations regarding the Miramar High School football program. These allegations include student eligibility and “impermissible benefits” to team members.
Based on the nature of the allegations, Miramar High School self-reported to the FHSAA on October 30, 2014, and is now vacating its seeding in the Florida High School Football State Championship. The FHSAA will determine the next steps on how the playoffs will proceed for Broward County high schools.”
The statement concluded by saying they planned to hold a meeting with parents at the school Thursday afternoon.
Miramar is supposed to play Monarch High in Deerfield Friday night. The players say they plan to show up whether they’re allowed to play or not.
CLICK HERE to watch Gaby Fleischman’s report
Miramar wasn’t the only South Florida high school to lose its spot in the playoffs, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
Reigning Class 2A state champion Hialeah Champagnat was informed by the FHSAA that it would lose its playoff berth because they broke the rules last week in a game against Bradenton IMG Academy when they walked off the field mid-way through and forfeited the game.
According to a FHSAA by-law, “A school that fails to play a contracted game as scheduled shall forfeit the game and shall become ineligible to participate in the Florida High School State Championships that season or a future season.”
School officials say they are considering their options and may appeal the ruling.
CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.
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