South Oak Cliff HS Forfeits Title After Grade Changes
Updated 2:41 PM CST, Sat, Feb 21, 2009
Dallas South Oak Cliff High School has forfeited another state title after a television news investigation uncovered improper grade changes for star basketball players.
The school won consecutive state titles from 2005-08, but has now been stripped of two of them -- 2005 and 2006 -- after WFAA-TV in Dallas reported the use of ineligible players.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa announced forfeiture of the 2005 title on Friday following the probe by WFAA. The station began reporting more than a year ago that officials changed failing grades to passing grades for star players just before the playoffs.
"It's very painful to give up another state championship, but it's the only thing and it's the right thing to do. Not one but three students were ineligible to play and the only penalty for playing an ineligible player is forfeiture," Hinojosa said.
District investigators confirmed that three players -- Darrell Arthur, Kevin Rogers and Kandrake Johnigan -- all had grades changed from failing to passing, sometimes just days before the state championship game.
Arthur, who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, was also a star player on the Kansas Jayhawks national championship team last year. Rogers is a starter at Baylor.
The players are not accused of wrongdoing.
Copyright Associated Press
First Published: Feb 21, 2009 8:49 AM CST
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