5 seeded Wolverines (8-2) walloped No. Lots of work to be done to get where we want to be, though. Dinner and dancing may have been the order of the day on Saturday, but on Friday night, Wolverine students packed the stands to see the Bellevue High football team demolish their crosstown rival Newport Knights. Now lets see a similar investigation into sports programs at every private high school in the state to determine just how many of their players parents are paying full tuition. In Q2, senior Ishaan Daniels added his own long TD run, and quarterback Lucas Razore added not one, but two, TD passes to fellow junior Blake Teets (one for 19 yards, one for 43). In the second half, Bellevue let their young guns get a taste of the MI rivalry under the big lights, and played out the remainder of the game under a running clock. This has been, I dont want to say an open secret, but Im not surprised by the investigation, ONeil told Seattles Morning News. The Times found at least three instances in which families of players attending the school were either given financial assistance by the team's boosters or didn't pay for the tuition themselves, a violation of state athletic rules. "The schools want it that way. Part of Darien Freemans account, however, is corroborated by documents reviewed by the Seattle Times. A judge has sentenced 10 current and former high school athletes to prison terms of up to 25 years for their roles in numerous armed robberies in the Dallas area over the past year. Theyre going to find you. The second half saw more of the same stingy Wolverine defense, and scores being added by another long Daniels run, and a 30-yard TD connection from Razore to junior TE, Hogan Hansen. Recent newspaper headlines should bring the immediate firing of Butch Goncharoff, Bellevue High School football coach. A series of three books describing the storied history of the Bellevue High School Football program, and the investigations that surrounded the team from 2006 to 2018. It feels quaint to sit back and watch an old rerun of Friday Night Lights and see some rally girl doing Tim Riggins homework, or a star player finding a mysterious envelope with cash in it. Hogwash! Sophomore Ryken Moon took the opening kickoff back for a TD, junior Colin Miller had an interception, junior Luke Soma added a field goal, and junior Cal Zimmerman had his own pick-6. While the Institute touts its focus on education at a full-time cost of $1,750 per month two former teachers label Academic Institute a diploma mill that doesnt adhere to basic educational standards. Brick by brick!. A player for Stamford, Wendell Robinson, lived in the towns fire station and continued to play for the school after his parents moved away from Stamford. NEWSLINE 425-453-4270. BELLEVUE REBOUNDS AT HOME VS LIBERTY, TOUGH START FOR WOLVERINES AGAINST TOP RANKED OPPONENTS, Former UW Lineman Is Lead Blocker in Returning Bellevue High to Prominence, Yelm goes length of field to end Bellevue's state championship reign, 28-27, PHOTOS: Yelm edges past Bellevue, 28-27, to earn title shot, VIDEO Game Highlights from Lincoln Playoff Game, 3A Quarterfinal, Bellevues 43-yard field goal breaks the hearts and playoff hopes of Lincoln Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/high-school/article2, With Bellevue in need of a season-saving spark, Luke Scoma delivers - with his foot, Bellevue tops 400 yards rushing to beat Mead in 3A state football playoffs, Bellevue football team defeats Snohomish in non-conference game. Coach Salonen said, We feel incredibly lucky to have the numbers to support a JV program this year, we love seeing the additional reps these players are getting, and the improvement that comes with those reps.. This was wealth gone greedy., Bellevue football report put asterisk on winning record. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Editors note: The following is an excerpt from the Seattle Times article of Aug. 23 detailing alleged improper practices within the Bellevue High football program: Bellevue High School has established itself as one of the premier prep football programs in the nation with 11 state titles in the past 15 years. In 2003 Thiel wrote the definitive book about the Seattle Mariners, Out of Left Field, which became a regional bestseller. During one of the meetings with the Times, Freeman said he no longer had a relationship with his father. Armstead is also in the New York Giants Ring of Honor. Freemans parents, Yusef and Allona, wrote in a letter this week to the school district that their son lived in the Bellevue attendance area. The Wolverines will face Snohomish High School, at home this Friday, in the Week 10 Crossover round. A committee of athletic directors from KingCo cited in its report a preponderance of evidence that violations had occurred. Hopefully something like that will come out of this mess.". There are a lot of reasons why he thinks the rules were wrongly interpreted by the investigators. You depend on KNKX for trusted, in-depth local news, music by knowledgeable hosts and enlightening NPR programs. Latest Updates. The families of two other players have described how supporters of the football program had a role in coordinating scholarships for the players. Bellevue's head coach and athletic director be fired immediately 2. Good kids and families participated in Bellevuefootball, but there were also some people who stepped over the line. Records reviewed by the Seattle Times, however, show that Freemans father has had a home address in Auburn. Bellevue is not allowed to play out-of-state opponents for four seasons. The Wolverines will look to keep extend their conference win streak next week, at home, against the Knights of Newport. The win marks a return to the top for a former state juggernaut that won eight state championships from 2001 to 2011. However, the victory only lasted five months when the school became the first in the state to have their title taken from them. Following the string of robberies, six players were sentenced to prison with terms ranging from two to 25 years. You do what you can to give your kid a leg up because you want him or her on a path that maybe you werent on.. The parents confirmed in their letter that they received financial support, but said they properly requested aid from the school. Darien Freeman has not returned multiple messages left for him last week. Bellevue High's football squad completed an undefeated season by winning the 3A state championship with a 17-13 triumph over Kennewick High on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. It is high time to clean up this mess. Bellevue wraps up undefeated season with 3A state title. They don't have subpoena power because this is a trade association. In 1959, Stamford defeated Brady 19-14 in the state championship. Next stop for the Wolverines (13-0) is the state championship game the Gridiron Classic versus Kennewick at noon on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. The team should have to forfeit the championships it won. 4. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid Scandal. Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options! Who do these kids think they are? What makes them think they are so deserving? You know what? New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory, Back on top: Bellevue beats Kennewick to win 3A state title behind William Wangs 243 yards, Bellevue runs over Marysville-Pilchuck to return to state football championship game, William Wangs career night lifts No. Daniels got the second half rolling with his fourth house call of the game, and Luke Scoma added a late field goal to give the Wolverines a 44-13 win. Senior William Wang piled up 182 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 32 carries, and the Bellevue defense was tough as the top-seeded Wolverines laid a 27-3 licking on No. Bellevue High is an extremely successful football program. The investigators report and your editorial finally nailed it.. Bellevue High School, Wolverine Way, Bellevue, WA, USA Sat Nov 19 W 22-20 @ Lincoln High School "Abes" Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma, WA, USA - 701 S. 37th Street. The donors and contributors to this school should be identified. Team supporters have battled the Bellevue School Districts decisions. When I saw the David Horsey cartoon, light rail ambassadors inviting a fentanyl-smoking passenger to leave, I lost it, says a listener. Location: Bellevue . Its unfortunate for the kids who played therebut also hard on those who played against Bellevue, too. This will essentially kill the football program. Im so happy and proud of all of them. Bellevue football decimated the available pool of players for both Sammamish and Interlake for years to the point of Sammamish forfeiting games at the varsity level in 2015. Jessie Armstead, played for Miami and was the 207th pick in the 8th round of the 1993 NFL draft. The Colleyville Heritage Steroid . Found a preponderance of evidence that Bellevue boosters paid the tuition of athletes at The Academic Institute. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Kaden Matsudaira was featured in a long drive, culminating in a 3-yard TD run to put an exclamation point on the game. On November 10, the UIL shocked Dallas Carter and the entire state when they announced the Cowboys were ineligible for the playoffs. But KingCo officials saw Bellevues problems as requiring more severe sanctions. The blatant efforts by school and district officials to obstruct the investigation demonstrate their complicity in cheating, their utter disregard for the truth and their complete lack of integrity. This fake news reporting in the media hammered down on the program until the program was literally ripped apart at the seams. Playoffs: No postseason games for four years, Boosters: No donations to program for four years, Games: Only KingCo 3A opponents for two years; no out-of-state opponents for four years, Transfers: Stricter guidelines, oversight for incoming transfer students for two years, Championships: Vacate Bellevues conference titles if WIAA determines that state titles should be forfeited. Come one, come all! 2021 State Champs! What sanction to impose if they will not resign in disgrace? The final score is simply listed as Brady 1 Stamford 0 in the states record books. Final score, 49-6, Eastlake. Staff reporter Mike Baker contributed to this report. Breed initially denied any involvement, but in December of 2015 pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury, was placed on probation and gave up teaching. "The report then went to a panel of KingCo Conference athletic directors. And booster club President John Connors told supporters over the weekend that litigation may be necessary to protect the program. OVERALL 9-3 0.75 Win % DISTRICT 6-0 1st3A KingCo. On the eve of a Halloween weekend, the Bellevue faithful showed up in droves (and costumes) to celebrate another fantastic class of Bellevue High seniors. Goncharoff released a statement after KingCos sanctions were handed down. His older brother became vice president of the teams booster club. Washington needs more than 1 million homes in the next 20 years, Islanders speak out against Lava Ridge Wind Project, WA Lottery reveals Auburn woman as winner of $754.6 million Powerball jackpot, Victim energy is a siren song to which we must stop our ears | Whales Tales, Teams roll into action on renovated South Mercer Playfields. Yesterday Kendall Alston, age 31, was sentenced in federal court to five years for selling fentanyl pills in downtown Seattle. We love to see the kids have fun and play ball. Students at a private school without a football team can play for a public-school team in their home district. And that lofty tuition bill? 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Varsity takes the field this Saturday (10/8) at Juanita, at 7pm, while the JV will face Juanita at home the following Monday. 9-0 on the season, BACK ON TRACK! Go re-read this story, and you will have your answers. KingCo left the question of whether Bellevue should forfeit state titles up to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Sports news, analysis, opinions, and rumors. After two rigorous non-conference games, Bellevue kicked off KingCo 3A conference play this past Friday night against Liberty High School of Renton. Voted as the KING 5 Sports Big Game of the Week, the 4-2 Wolverines once again headed north on 405 for a KingCo 3A showdown, this time with the 4-1 Lake Washington Kangs. KingCo will vacate Bellevues conference titles if the WIAA determines that state championships should be forfeited. Many would perhaps have fallen through the cracks had it not been for the help they received when it was obvious to coaches they needed a little boost. Led by senior running back William Wang as the wrecking ball of destruction in Bellevues vaunted Wing-T rushing attack, the Wolverines dogged Rainier Beach all night on the ground in a 56-22 triumph on Friday night in Class 3A state quarterfinals at Bellevue High School, Highlights of Bellevue's 56-22 win over Rainier Beach in the quarterfinals of the 3A State Playoffs. This booster club raised more than $427,000 in 2013 according to the Seattle Times investigation. If youre a Pac-12 talent, you are going to jump off the page at recruiters, he said. Im typical Bellevue fashion, the JV Wolverines matched Bothells two big plays with long, methodical drives and stifling defense. The NFL is the big example. 1 Bellevue back into 3A state semifinals: 4 observations, Week 11 Playoff Matchups - Bellevue 42, Lakes 21, (Nov 12, 2021), This website is powered by SportsEngine's. And the district has cut ties with longtime assistant coach Pat Jones. In the post-game interview, Coach Kneip told KING5, Its really fun to come out here in this great environment, packed house, theyre a great football team. Bellevue footballs promotion of a culture of cheating is a broadly understood fact. Even private schools require the students attend classes at that institution and make the grades to play, not go to a strip-mall diploma mill., The Seattle Times closes comments on particularly sensitive stories. GSBA, Comcast, and other partners are working to address disparities in access to financial resources with the Ready for Business fund. In January of 1991, after the UIL completed their investigation and the legal battle ended, Dallas Carter was stripped of their title and Converse Judson was named the 1988 5A champions. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook), (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook). Among the violations, the 68-page report found thatplayers families provided false address to gain eligibility and that head coach ButchGoncharoff encouraged players to attend classes at a private alternative school where some of the players tuition was subsidized by the programs booster club. Lets be reasonable., The wrong-headed parts of the Bellevue High Schoolfootball program continued for far too long. Weve seen a couple of surveys about Seattles happiness rating, one shows us near the top for happiness, and one has us closer to the bottom. Its a disgrace that this has gone on as long as it has. After starting the season in Sports Illustrateds SB Live Top 25, the Wolverines found themselves on the wrong end of two tightly contested losses to start their 2022 campaign. The second half once again belonged to the youngsters and up-and-comers, who finished strong to the tune of a 56-14 victory. The sanctions are the latest chapter in the saga of investigations, appeals and denials concerning one of the most successful prep-football programs in state history. The KingCo Conference report, released earlier this week, said that while players were illegally recruited to play for Bellevue, some used false addresses to be eligible within Bellevues residential district. In 2012, Freeman was among 17 boys pictured in the sophomore, junior and senior pages of an Academic Institute yearbook reviewed by the Times. To tear down this whole organization is a crime. Head coach Butch Goncharoff has been fired. Mercer Island Football Booster Club President, 1988-89. The uproar began and a legal battle quickly ensued. They say proposed project will negatively impact Minidoka internment camp site. You cheat, you steal, you lie. The first loss came at the hands of back-to-back Oregon 6A state champions, Central Catholic, on a field goal as time expired, which gave CCHS the first lead theyd had since early in the second quarter. Bellevue High's football squad completed an undefeated season by winning the 3A state championship with a 17-13 triumph over Kennewick High on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. ', "The Bellevue School District said only one charge was valid and that was the compensation to Goncharoff, and so they recommended his firing. In all, six players were connected with 21 robberies that occurred in Carter neighborhoods. While parents arent specifically mentioned in these allegations, ONeil says they would most certainly be involved in these violations and are also culpable. Coach Kneip said, after the game, What an awesome night to celebrate a group of guys who have given so much to this program! Bellevue has also been the subject of a nearly year-long investigation by the KingCo Conference, the league governing body for high school athletics in King County. Stamford had little trouble in the playoffs with wins over Quanah (43-13), Cisco (32-22), Denver City (14-0) and Olney (15-7). How did parents never ask how their kid had so much walking around money? Saint Mary's guard Logan Johnson knows both sides of the Zags-Gaels rivalry , "It should be an awesome environment": Gonzaga's WCC title hopes depend on outcome vs. Gaels , Gonzaga rewind: Ben Gregg continues to thrive in expanded role, helps Gonzaga thump San Diego , Daily marijuana use raises risk of heart disease by 34%, study indicates, 'Growing up I can say I fell victim to being a Gonzaga fan.' The coaching staff should be immediately dismissed. Thiel said the complaints have been leveled at the Bellevue High School football program for years, but the scandal erupted after an investigation by the Seattle Times last year. The western-themed student section brought the energy all night, and the Wolverines did not disappoint. From changing grades and playing ineligible players to substance abuse and violence, these five scandals marred the face of the king of all sports in Texas. But Notre Dame-bound RB Jayden Limar led a second half comeback, eventually closing the game out 37-28. Art Thiel is a co-founder and writer for the rising sports website Sportspress Northwest. But many of those accomplishments are in jeopardy, because of a scandal that has now reached the punishment stage. Bellevue High's football squad completed an undefeated season by winning the 3A state championship with a 17-13 triumph over Kennewick High on Dec. 4 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. We love the playoffs, Coach Kneip said postgame, this is the best time of the year, and were ready to get after it!. Every sport has its dark side and high school football in Texas is no exception. This begins the discussion of the penalty phase of the violations, and there are several steps working through that process, said Mike Colbrese, WIAA executive director. This type of illegal and unethical activity runs through sports programs at all levels. Of the 24-23 loss, Coach Kneip said, Theyre a really, really well-coached, high quality program. I think its terrible when parents get involved and start trying to tilt the playing field for high school sports, he said. Unphased by the change, the boys loaded up the busses on Saturday evening, and headed north to Juanita High School in Kirkland. The Bellevue High (Seattle) football team is reportedly aided through a "diploma mill" private school, according to an investigation by The Seattle Times . Updated: 7:13 PM PDT July 8, 2016. (Image courtesy Bellevue Wolverines Facebook) The Times uncovered 17 instances. Here is a selection of the. Kirsten Kendrick has been hosting Morning Edition on KNKX/KPLU since 2006. 12 Mead in the first round of the Class 3A state football playoffs 41-10 as Bellevue rode its potent rushing attack to a dominant victory that puts it just two wins from their second consecutive state championship game appearance. Bellevue will host Mead High School in the 3A Round of 16, this Saturday at Noon. This isnt a player finding $100 cash in his locker. Make it hurt. Butch Goncharoff is banned from coaching in Washington State, 3. Bellevue High School Football Share this Team > Regular Season . It should be a Homecoming to remember! Goncharoff got a slap on the wrist, just a two-game suspension for providing cash to a player when he should have been suspended for the season and the school banned from post season play. He is now on administrative leave while this is adjudicated.". Video Highlights of State Championship New coaching staff of young alumni lead Bellevue back to state football championship glory With their sights set on a state championship run, the Cowboys began preparing for the playoffs. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. Court records from an eviction case also show a Yusef Freeman was renting an apartment in Sammamish in 2009. No, its not something we want to teach our kids as the right thing to do, he said. Freeman said he may have misunderstood the conversation about rent and that it was possible Goncharoff had only worked to help the family find a place to rent in Bellevue. It taught them how to succeed and prepared them for the future. Department of Commerce officials say communities will need diverse housing options in the future as well. The KingCo Conference has levied sanctions against the school that include four years of probation for the entire athletic department,no road games or out-of-conference games for two years, no money funneled into the program from any source for four years, no postseason play for four years and no out-of-state opponents (a big source of revenue) for four years. KPLU sports commentator Art Thiel says it's a symptom of a much bigger problem.Media Probe Supporters of the Bellevue football program have shared the letter on social media. At the crux of the scandal is a well to-do family that made their money in the trash/waste management industry. Among the players who have attended Academic Institute were those instrumental in Bellevues recent 67-game winning streak: Myles Jack, a linebacker now at UCLA; Marcus Griffin, a defensive tackle at the University of Arizona; and Max Richmond, a wide receiver at the University of Washington. That loss was an eye-opener, as Bellevue dominated in every aspect of the game against our team. After the half, the BHS offense really got rolling, including a 44-yard TD run from junior Blake Teets, a 24-yard TD run from sophomore Ryken Moon, and a screen pass from Razore that junior Cal Zimmerman took 21 yards to pay dirt. The Bellevue football program was placed on a three-year probation last year for two self-reported violations, which allowed KingCo to hand down more severe sanctions. Bellevue Independent Schools announced it has canceled the rest of its high school's football season due to multiple injuries on the team. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. Final score: 20-14, bringing the JV to 1-1. Now, we cannot be completely naive. Bellevue High School has the most successful football program in state history - winning 11 titles in the last 15 years. Luke Scoma wins it for Bellevue with his 43-yard field goal in Wolverines' 22-20 win over Lincoln of Tacoma in Class 3A quarterfinals. Sanctions need to be put in place against the school as well as the BHS booster club to ensure the high-school programs for our conference and state are fair, as all sports should be. Then, on Monday, the JV took the field north of the lake, against the Bothell Cougars. Ban Goncharoff from coaching football in Washington for life. Embattled Bellevue High School football coaches took another hit Friday as an executive board made up of high school principals increased penalties for the head . "This is the most successful athletic program in state history and it's being torn down. "They also discovered that there was a small school within the school called the Academic Institute, which was privately funded by a lot of the boosters to give educations to students who were struggling. By: Logan Newman, https://usatodayhss.com/2016/bellevue-wash-expected-to-fire-coach-butch-goncharoff-cheating-scandal, Bellevue (Wash.) expected to fire coach at center of alleged football cheating scandal. I am old enough to remember corruption being the norm in the old Southwest Conference: fake jobs, hundred dollar handshakes and far, far worse. "I would say the rules are loose. In both games, seniors Ishaan Daniels and George Kruger were standouts. The Times uncovered 17 instances of Bellevue players who attend the Academic Institute, a small private school which does not offer football, in the last seven years. Now we need to do it again! All Rights Reserved. lots and lots of money going around. 1 Bellevue back into 3A state semifinals: 4 observations In its report to KingCo, the Bellevue School District acknowledged several violations of rules while disputing other aspects of the independent investigation. Come celebrate Anacortes 11th annual Bier on the Pier! Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Washington is one of the most successful high school football programs in the country, with 11 state titles in 15 years, a 67-game winning streak covering some of that period and a national footprint that has had them playing on ESPN. Just one play into Hazens opening drive, senior Joel Schneider made an acrobatic interception, which moments later led to a sight thats become the terror of KingCo 3A: an Ishaan Daniels long run and touchdown this time from 63 yards. 710 ESPN Seattles Danny ONeil thinks the parents are misguided. A third player whose family couldnt afford the steep tuition said he attended Academic Institute for two years without knowing who picked up the tab. Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff was suspended two games for "improper out-of-season activities" and for providing money to a player. 5. A 68-page report found that players' families provided false address to gain eligibility and that head coach Butch Goncharoff encouraged players to attend classes at a private alternative school. Im already excited for next week. JV plays at Lake Washington on Monday 9/26. Strip them of their titles going back to 2001. I found this story on USA TODAY High School Sports and wanted to share it with you: He openly shared details of his high school experiences, saying he felt like the program was putting kids in a poor position to succeed after high school and that he didnt want to see the program have a negative impact on others in the future. This isnt just about high school sports. Boosters have been barred from affiliating with the program. The Academic Institute was briefly involved in a athletic district investigation after the family complaint, but no one from the school spoke to investigators. Final score: Wolverines 53, Panthers 12. The Bellevue football story became national news in 2016 as false accusations of recruiting by the twelve-time state champions and 2012 national champions took center stage. The parents disputed Freemans account in which he said his father had asked him to thank Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff for helping pay rent.