Myers Park High School to forfeit all of its 2021 football games. Here’s why.
Myers Park High School will forfeit all of its 2021 football games and pay a $250 fine due to having ineligible players on the team last season.
In a letter to Myers Park families obtained by the Observer, Mustangs principal Robert Folk said that, in January, the school was made aware of falsified residency documents used by some members of its football team. The letter doesn’t specify how many players were involved.
Myers Park did have several players from California and at least one from Texas on its roster last season, though it’s not clear if any of the out-of-state players were involved.
The school investigated and self-reported to the N.C. High School Athletic Association. NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker ruled that the school was in violation of what the letter describes as a “ineligible player-residence requirement.”
Myers Park appealed the ruling, according to the letter, saying that proof of student enrollment and athletic eligibility was not evident until it was reported in January, two months after the season ended.
The NCHSAA Board of Directors heard the appeal and upheld Tucker’s ruling. In addition to the fine, Myers Park must return $6,700 it earned from its playoff games.
Myers Park finished 8-4 last season and lost to Kernersville’s Glenn High School in the second round of the N.C. 4A playoffs. Earlier this month, Mustangs coach Curtis Fuller resigned to take a job in Texas.
“It is my intention to lead with integrity and not deception,” the letter from Folk reads. “I will say the same about the athletic programs of Myers Park High School. The result of the NCHSAA ruling is disappointing for our players, coaches and certainly our Myers Park school community. We will maintain our integrity as a school and will always do what is ethical and fair.”
The letter to Myers Park families
A message from MYERS PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Myers Park High School Families,
My goal is to share information about our school in a timely and appropriate manner. I am sending you this message since it may be newsworthy.
In January 2022, Myers Park High School was made aware of fraudulent documents used for school enrollment and athlete eligibility for our varsity football team. Myers Park investigated these documents and in response self-reported these concerns to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
Following an investigation, the NCHSAA Commissioner ruled that MPHS was in violation for using an ineligible player-residence requirement.
MPHS appealed the ruling on grounds that proof of student enrollment and athletic eligibility was found to have been falsified and was not evident until reported in January 2022.
The NCHSAA’s Board of Directors heard Myers Park’s appeal. The NCHSAA’s Board of Directors upheld their Executive Committee’s decision and denied this appeal.
In accordance with the selected procedure of the ruling, Myers Park will forfeit all 2021-2022 football games, return $6,700 earned from playoff games, and pay a $250 fine.
It is my intention to lead with integrity and not deception. I will say the same about the athletic programs of Myers Park High School. The result of the NCHSAA ruling is disappointing for our players, coaches and certainly our Myers Park school community. We will maintain our integrity as a school and will always do what is ethical and fair. If you have any questions please reach out to our Athletic Director, Brian Poore or Principal, Robert Folk.
This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 6:55 PM.
