For a second time in 2 weeks, Booker T Washington High School in Tulsa was found to have been skirting the rules when in came to eligibility for sports. The Tulsa Public Schools released their findings today concerning academic inequities within its athletic department. 37 students were found to be ineligible. These ineligible students were allowed to participate in sports without making the passing grade.
16 players were found to be ineligible within the football program, and the program was forced to forfeit a third game. 2 games were forfeited following last weeks discovery the football team used an ineligible player because of improper paper work for transfers was not done. One player participated in spring practice while still enrolled at another school. That participation was considered against the rules.
Also involved were 12 players from the JV football team, 4 from Volleyball and 4 from Softball. 1 Cross Country runner was also ruled academically ineligible. These students were allowed by certain administrators to participate in athletics despite the fact they did not meet the academic requirements to do so. As a result, Booker T Washington Principal Michael Johnson was assigned to another position, and former Washington Basketball coach and current school district administrator Mike Mims has been named Assistant Principal, overseeing Athletics. Mims was also an assistant coach for Billy Tubbs at the University of Oklahoma during the time of Wayman Tisdales playing days for the Sooners.
Football coach Antwaine Jimmerson was suspended from the team and his Athletic Director duties following the first investigation concerning lack of paperwork for transfers.
Washington ends its football season Friday night against Bixby, and will be forced to miss the playoffs following the forfeiture of 3 games for 2009.
