Northern Guilford recruiting investigation, generic
May 13, 2009
GREENSBORO — Northern Guilford High School reported itself for using ineligible players in multiple sports, one of which was men's basketball - a team that won the 2009 state championship.
N.C. High School Athletic Association associate executive director Rick Strunk said in a media advisory Wednesday evening that the state championship would be forfeited.
"Use of ineligible players does mean forfeitures of contests," Strunk said. "Thus, according to NCHSAA policy, the men's basketball championship which Northern had won earlier in 2009 will officially be vacated."
The Greensboro News & Record reported that two ineligible players were found on the team's roster.
A letter was sent to students on Wednesday breaking the news of the forfeit to the school.
The Nighthawks defeated Forestview 66-54 to win the 3-A state championship, but the state title will not be handed to Forestview. NCHSAA rules require championships to be vacated, but the runner-up will not be named the champion.
In addition to losing the state title, Northern Guilford will forfeit all regular season and post season games, will pay a fine to the NCHSAA, and must return all gate receipts from the state playoffs.
Stan Kowalewski, the head coach of the team, has denied any wrongdoing in the Greensboro media, but FOX8 reported Wednesday that his contract will not be renewed next year.
Kowalewski's team had won the first state championship in school history. After the game, he spoke about the accomplishment and what it meant to the athletic program.
"I really believe that Northern Guilford High School is going to win a lot of championships in a lot of sports," Kowalewski said. "But the most proud thing for me is that we won the first one. We put the first banner up, and these kids will remember that for the rest of their lives."
In previous reports, the Greensboro News & Record has reported that the ongoing investigation at Northern Guilford is focused on the men's basketball, baseball and football programs. The principal, athletic director and head custodian all resigned after the investigation began.
Wednesday's letter to students indicated that additional ineligible players were found on at least four other teams at Northern Guilford - baseball, wrestling, junior varsity softball and junior varsity cheerleading.
According to FOX8, the wrestling, JV softball and baseball teams must forfeit every contest in which the ineligible players participated. The NCHSAA defines "participation" as dressing out for a game.
The JV cheerleading team did not compete this year, but they too will pay a fine.
The investigation into the Northern Guilford football team is ongoing, according to the letter.
The NCHSAA has directed all other questions to Guilford County Schools.
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