Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 21, 1993 TAG: 9310210106
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Virginia High School League's executive committee denied a request by Virginia High athletic director Mike Cartolaro that would allow three Oak Hill players involved in taking gift certificates from Nike this summer to play against public schools in the state.
Cartolaro, whose school has an invitational tournament involving Oak Hill in December, had made the request that would allow Curtis Staples of Roanoke, Mark Blount and Alex Sanders to play against VHSL schools.
The three were among a group of players from across the United States who were awarded gift certificates of $100 redeemable in Nike products at an all-star game last summer. By accepting the certificates, the Oak Hill players violated the VHSL's amateur status rule. Such a violation carries a one-year suspension from games.
Oak Hill, a private school, doesn't play under VHSL rules. However, the Warriors agree to abide by state rules when playing VHSL schools.
Oak Hill coach Steve Smith turned in his program to the VHSL when he realized there was a violation and the players have repaid the $100 to Nike because the gift certificates already had been used.
Virginia and Tennessee are the only states to punish players accepting gift certificates with a year's suspension. Other state have not punished players except to have them repay Nike or have suspended them for four games or less.
"I'm obviously a little disappointed, but we have to move on," said Smith, who will not pursue the matter further.
Besides the tournament, Oak Hill has only one game scheduled against VHSL competition when the Warriors play at GW-Danville on Jan. 15. The Virginia High tournament has the host school, John Battle, Churchland and Greensville County among VHSL member schools Oak Hill could face.
Cartolaro, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, said he would redraw the schedule so that Oak Hill would have less chance to play VHSL competition.
Oak Hill has been ranked the top high school team by Street & Smith and probably will earn the same rating later this fall when USA Today publishes its first rankings. So the Warriors' chances at a mythical national title could be in jeopardy.
"We have a contract with GW, so we'll play the game. They were hoping we'd be in full force. One reason is that they're playing [us] for the money and if everyone is there, it will be a bigger gate," said Smith.
The Oak Hill coach says GW, a good Western District team, could be a threat on its home floor because "we'll have some strange combinations out there. It will definitely have an affect on us."
In another VHSL ruling Wednesday, Richlands' request to be reinstated for the Group AA Division 4 playoffs was denied 21-0.
Richlands, which admitted to using illegal cleats in a Group AA Division 4 semifinal state football game against Salem last year, had appealed a probation so that it could participate in this year's playoffs. The Blue Tornadoes already have won the Southwest District title and would have qualified for the playoffs had they not been on probation.
A general meeting of the VHSL will be held today when a vote will be taken to move girls' basketball in the Group A and AA classifications from fall to winter. The proposal is not expected to pass in either classification.
by CNB