San Marcos Eligible For Playoffs… For Now
Following a recruiting scandal, a South Texas team is now eligible to play in the postseason again. According to Billy Gates at KXAN Austin, San Marcos High School fought the ban for several months after the University Interscholastic League restricted the program from playoff play for two years.
The reason: a group of ineligible players coordinated to enroll in the district to play together. Specifically, the program sought youth football players from the San Antonio area to enroll as freshman. Currently, an upcoming eligibility hearing will be hosted for 11 new San Marcos students.
After a complaint was filed, District 27-6A’s executive committee passed down their ruling, as well as a public reprimand against coach John Walsh for recruiting violations.
The state executive committee will continue holding several hearings regarding the alleged illegal recruitment, including a few this week.
During a hearing on Monday, the team was still permitted to compete in the postseason, but are now on a three-year probation. The reprimand was upheld against coach Walsh and the committee could revisit a possible playoff ban after further eligibility hearings.
“It would have been unfair to punish those kids that had nothing to do with anything that was put out there,” said coach Walsh.
As per UIL regulations, open enrollment school districts can allow transferred students, but not for athletic purposes.
“The preponderance of evidence tells me something happened,” said UIL Executive Director Charles Brethaupt.
Currently, San Marcos has a 2-3 record. Following last week’s bye, they will host Clemens tonight.
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