Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 22, 1993 TAG: 9309220039
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Oak Hill senior Curtis Staples from Roanoke and teammates Alex Sanders and Mark Blount went to Beaverton, Ore., to participate in the NIKE Career Developmental Weekend and Fab 40 Shootout on Sept. 11-12.
"All I was concerned with was, whether this would count against the all-star games the kids are allowed to play at the end of the year and whether it was approved by the NCAA," said Smith, who accompanied his players to Oregon.
"Obviously, once they'd gone through that avenue, we all thought it was OK."
The NCAA does not have any jurisdiction when it comes to high-school eligibility, however. That falls to the individual state athletic associations, loosely joined in the National Federation of State High School Associations.
"The issue here is Nike did its homework with the wrong governing body," Brad Cashman, executive director of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, told The Associated Press. "They understand this now, but the homework should have been done beforehand."
As a nonpublic school, Oak Hill does not belong to the VHSL, although it has games with several member schools. Ken Tilley of the VHSL said that his body would not rule on the eligibility of the players.
At issue is the amateur status of the players who accepted a $100 gift certificate to be used at the Nike employee store.
"I could collect the merchandise but some of it has been worn already and could not be resold," Smith said. "The other alternative is to have the kids repay the $100."
Rich Scheubrooks, who coordinated the weekend for Nike's marketing office, did not return calls Tuesday.
"We've dealt with this issue for quite some time," said Chris Schoemann, who works in the NCAA's Legislative Services office and has served as a liaison with Nike, "and acceptance of shoes, apparel and equipment does not jeopardize their amateur status in our eyes "Remember, it is our responsibility to give interpretations. If the [NCAA] membership had a problem with the receipt of apparel and expenses, something would have to be done legislatively first. I will say that Nike has been extremely helpful as far as checking with us."
Smith said equipment was not an enticement for his players, particularly since Oak Hill already has an arrangement with Nike.
"They didn't go out there for the shoes and sweats," Smith said. "They went for the competition and the chance to be evaluated one last time against the best players in the country."
by CNB