IL
WV
VT
BYU
TXAM
UNC
NE
CO
GT
Lou
USC
Bay
FL
LSU
ND
IN

LAC*
SF
SEA
PHI
MN
Pitt
MIA
DEN
HOU
DET

South County
Fairfax
Huguenot
Sherando
Dinwiddie
Tuscarora
Smithfield
Salem
John Champe
Matoaca
Indian River
William Fleming
Briar Woods
King's Fork
Stone Bridge
William Byrd
Turner Ashby
Kettle Run
Liberty Christian
Magna Vista
Thomas Jefferson R
Norcom
North Stafford
Highland Springs
George Washington Lib
Oscar Smith
Battlefield
James Madison
King William
Radford
Poquoson
Madison County
Strasburg
Union
Graham
Buffalo Gap
George Wythe W
Rye Cove
Patrick Henry Glade Spring
Essex
Bath County
Altavista
Rappahannock

Found this letter in a Facebook group



November 20, 2024

Dear FCPS Community,

I am writing to address the continued — and troubling — misinformation being shared regarding this high school football season, and more specifically about the Hayfield Hawks football team. I also want to share with you our plan moving forward regarding this situation.

Let me begin by saying that all of our coaches, our school leaders, our community, and the Virginia High School League (VHSL) share a commitment to the success of our student athletes. We want our students to have passion for their sport and to play every game with integrity and sportsmanship above all else.

The VHSL is an important organization that has the tremendous responsibility of overseeing high school sports and other competitions across the Commonwealth. We appreciate the work they do, but in this situation, we share the frustration that many of our staff and families are feeling.

In August of this year, VHSL deemed eligible every player who has played this season on the Hayfield Hawks football team. Two months later, the VHSL declared the entire team ineligible for postseason play without any specific evidence of recruiting or other violations. Coaches, athletes, parents, and fans are frustrated by the circumstances that their teams are in now, because of the ambiguities within the VHSL’s rules and policies.

Last week, these inconsistencies were confirmed by the Fairfax County Circuit Court judge who, after a nearly two-hour hearing, ruled that Hayfield football could play in the postseason and that VHSL had violated its own rules by imposing a two-year ban. FCPS and Hayfield Secondary School are not parties to this litigation, but we will comply with the court ruling and allow Hayfield football to play in the postseason.

Last night, at their request, I met with coaches and principals whose school communities have been most directly impacted by this situation. During this productive meeting, we focused on our common goal to keep our student athletes at the center of any next steps. I have been clear that we will not find ourselves in this situation again.

To that end, and to minimize the potential of future questions or concerns, and to restore public trust, I have outlined the next steps we will be taking as a Division to ensure that our standards for student-athlete eligibility are clear and aligned moving forward. These steps include:

A comprehensive and independent external investigation and review of all student athlete transfers and eligibility practices across all sports and in all of our high schools.
A review and revision, where necessary, to FCPS athletic protocols and procedures. Led by the Office of Student Activities and Athletics programs, and in partnership with coaches and administrators, this will include a divisionwide review of current practices in evaluating student athlete transfers both inside and outside of the Division.
Alongside our Executive Director of Student Activities and Athletics, I will be hosting two Community Conversations, one for our schools in Class 6 Region C and one for our schools in Class 6 Region D, regarding our athletic regulations and practices. We’ll be sharing more information about those meetings soon and hope you will attend.

We also stand ready to work with the VHSL to improve their policies and processes on student-athlete eligibility. It is vital that we collaborate with everyone involved to ensure we are preparing for the evolution of the student-athlete experience that we are seeing in our country. As we navigate uncharted waters ahead in youth athletics, we must anchor our practices in clear rules and accountability systems that apply to all regardless of circumstances. Access to excellence and opportunity — that is the American dream.

Warmest Regards,

Image

Dr. Michelle C. Reid
Superintendent

schoolboard said:

As a former elected school board member in the state of Virginia, I can tell you firsthand there is no all-emcompassing shield law. One of the first things they taught us at orientation was all the things we could be rightfully sued for. Misfeasance,
Malfeasance, and nonfeasance. Now, they can't be sued because their decisions hurt your feelings. For that, you need to vote them out.

Click to expand...

Agree with that. What would you call a decision unanimously approving a contract extension and raise for a superintendent embroiled in this type of mess a full two years before the original contract was due to expire? Malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance, idiotfeasance? Perhaps a suit might provide a quicker resolution than the next scheduled trips to the ballot box sufficient to oust all the members responsible.

cutnjump said:

I don't believe the complaints are about transfers. Transfers happen all the time. The questions are three fold, were rules followed, were there actual violations overlooked or tried to be swept under the rug and did FCPS do anything of substance to oversee the process and actually address complaints and questions raised?

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That's a fair assessment.

19GHS87 said:

The city of Bluefield has some sort of sweeper ....Or, they could just leave it in the field. That would be fun

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That would be epic!!! It’s not like football has never been played in the snow before in SWVA. I remember times in the 80s playing in frigid temps & some snow.

What’s Lancaster looking like?

A snow game would amazing

GoBlue2109 said:

Honestly looking at the temp for Friday the stands might be half empty.

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I was told it’s almost sold out 🔥

This will likely be a Netflix special or ESPN 30 for 30 soon. Stay tuned, it has become bigger than just a football schedule.

I have Dinwiddie winning by 17. Doesn’t mean it is a blowout, just Dinwiddie is inclined to get a pick 6 or special teams TD giving them extra cushion

BleedingNavy said:

@BoKnowsSports, I feel you on this and cannot fully disagree. I really like Matoaca's athletes, but if Bird plays like the old Bird and just plays down right physical then the Warriors will cave. I look for Matoaca to try and score fast and often. Pace of the game is key here. If the Skyhawks can establish the power game it's over. The Warriors are just too soft.

Click to expand...

I do think this game will be a good one. I still have matoaca pulling it out but it will be close

Gridiron1960 said:

My question is who’s clearing 5” of snow off the field 😂?

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The city of Bluefield has some sort of sweeper ....Or, they could just leave it in the field. That would be fun

Nice analysis @Dripping. Totally agree.

Gunz41 said:

Well now you want to continue, while I wanted to bow out. Maybe Riverheads Hudl doesn't show the clock, but I can guarantee you SDs does.

As for Wrestling, that was said because the one that it was being discussed with at the time said he COACHES Wrestling.

As far as starting other sports early yada yada yada, real classy.

Now you actually want to start talking about the team and the kids. Again REAL CLASSY.

I won't stoop to that level.

Again, believe me if you want, I really don't give a shit now. If you saw the video, you would try to walk around it anyway.

As for the rest of your message, yep you will find 2 instances of time being put on the clock. If you have even a SHRED of honesty in you, and you don't FREELY admit that even right on NFHS (forget Hudl and endzone cameras, etc) that Riverheads 2nd play of the last drive (1st play was a scramble that the QB goes out of bounds with 2:07 left in game. The VERY NEXT PLAY, RH runs for 14 yards and ONE SECOND comes off the clock. That is CLEAR no matter where it is viewed from.

As for the others, you can do your own work if you really want to see it. The 2 schools are separated by 8.7 miles. I will not do the work for you. If it actually made a difference if you saw it, then maybe. But my guess is you would just change the subject, so GTFOH with it. Or better yet, how about this, obviously nothing is going to change the outcome of this game. So IF I get you this evidence, since it is available, once it is proven, then not just from you but others as well, a PUBLIC APOLOGY is issued. If you can make that happen, then yea I am sure I can get it done. If not, then I am not wasting my time or you or this anymore.

Click to expand...

And just so there is NO CONFUSION here, I don't expect that to happen, and that doesn't mean I am accusing anyone here. Don't get it twisted, just pointing out the fact that since there is nothing that could be done at this point, just saying that is something. And I will even say, if I was someone from the RH side, I would NOT want to do that in any case.

44 at kickoff feels like 32 🥶🥶🥶🥶 im definitely gonna bundle up

GLADIATOR.BEAVER said:

Was at the game rewatched several times and can only find 2 instances where the clock added time. The officials clearly stated to both teams and stopped the game and told the press box to add the time and what to the correct time should be. Gunz has EVIDENCE but will not post it. Then states you have to have a clock in the video which NFHS does. Clearly he is watching hudl since is video has no clock but hudl cuts as soon as the play is over and resumes as soon as the next one starts so you see nothing in between like the officials adding time. You say it was dishonest yet no EVIDENCE was posted just one ultra superior intelligent beings opinion. Then he wants to explain it in wrestling terms like a know it all explaining it to a child. I'm just glad his team will have a couple of extra weeks of wrestling before riverheads gets on the mats. That seems to be an every year thing though doesn't it.

Click to expand...

Well now you want to continue, while I wanted to bow out. Maybe Riverheads Hudl doesn't show the clock, but I can guarantee you SDs does.

As for Wrestling, that was said because the one that it was being discussed with at the time said he COACHES Wrestling.

As far as starting other sports early yada yada yada, real classy.

Now you actually want to start talking about the team and the kids. Again REAL CLASSY.

I won't stoop to that level.

Again, believe me if you want, I really don't give a shit now. If you saw the video, you would try to walk around it anyway.

As for the rest of your message, yep you will find 2 instances of time being put on the clock. If you have even a SHRED of honesty in you, and you don't FREELY admit that even right on NFHS (forget Hudl and endzone cameras, etc) that Riverheads 2nd play of the last drive (1st play was a scramble that the QB goes out of bounds with 2:07 left in game. The VERY NEXT PLAY, RH runs for 14 yards and ONE SECOND comes off the clock. That is CLEAR no matter where it is viewed from.

As for the others, you can do your own work if you really want to see it. The 2 schools are separated by 8.7 miles. I will not do the work for you. If it actually made a difference if you saw it, then maybe. But my guess is you would just change the subject, so GTFOH with it. Or better yet, how about this, obviously nothing is going to change the outcome of this game. So IF I get you this evidence, since it is available, once it is proven, then not just from you but others as well, a PUBLIC APOLOGY is issued. If you can make that happen, then yea I am sure I can get it done. If not, then I am not wasting my time or you or this anymore.

19GHS87 said:

Currently expecting 2" to 5" of snow, Thursday night into Friday Morning. Main roads should be clear by the afternoon.

Click to expand...

My question is who’s clearing 5” of snow off the field 😂?

Go to http://12ft.io & copy and paste this link below to get past the paywall

BoKnowsSports said:

😂 man I’m gonna be over on Huguenot side. Varina fans act like they too cool to cheer 😂 you’ll probably see me.

Click to expand...

Honestly looking at the temp for Friday the stands might be half empty.

longtimerhsfan said:

That Hayfield thread has 277 responses, so can you give us a capsule version of what is going on?

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It is impossible to put all that is going on with this situation into one "capsule version". Here are some key points:
1. Anywhere from 20-30 transfers from Freedom (Woodbridge) along with most of Overton's coaching staff moving to Hayfield with several coaches being given jobs in the building.
2. Lady in charge of vetting the transfers is suddenly transferred to another school when she speaks up.
3. Numerous parents allege things from coaches bullying players to being offered money to let the transfers use their address.
4. FCPS investigates and finds nothing wrong.
5. VHSL investigates and puts out a two year playoff ban.
6. Two groups of parents sue and a judge allows a last minute injunction (three hours before the playoffs are scheduled to start) to let Hayfield back in the playoffs.
7. Six coaches in Hayfield's region protest to the FCPS Superintendent and threaten to forfeit playoff games.
8. Superintendent calls those coaches in and alleges racism.

There is lots and lots more. This has been brewing since August. Multiple articles in the Fairfax Times and InsideNOVA, as well as other print and TV media. Best summation is an article on a site called Defector, but it is a very, very long read (and now it appears to be behind a paywall).

The sad thing is the biggest loser is the kids. I want the coaches and the Hayfield administrators to pay dearly for this fiasco.

South Co.
Fairfax

Huguenot
Shenandoah
Dinwiddie
Tuscarora
Hampton
GW Danville
John Champe

Matoaca
Green Run
William Fleming
Briar Woods
King's Fork
Stone Bridge

William Byrd
Turner Ashby
Kettle Run
LCA
Magna Vista
TJ Richmond
IC Norcom

Colonial Forge
Highland Springs
GW Liberty
Oscar Smith
Battlefield
James Madison

King William
Radford
Poquoson
Buckingham
Strasburg
Union
Graham

Buffalo Gap
George Wythe Wytheville
Rye Cove
Eastside
Essex
Bath County
Altavista
Rappahanock

As a former elected school board member in the state of Virginia, I can tell you firsthand there is no all-emcompassing shield law. One of the first things they taught us at orientation was all the things we could be rightfully sued for. Misfeasance,
Malfeasance, and nonfeasance. Now, they can't be sued because their decisions hurt your feelings. For that, you need to vote them out.