[GOREDDEVILS]

Rose Hill hit with penalties
By ROCKY STANLEY / The Independent
LEXINGTON — The Kentucky High School Athletic Association penalized Rose Hill Christian School on Monday for violations related to the boys basketball program.

Rose Hill received a three-year probation, two-year ban on boys basketball postseason play, and a $6,000 fine.

The KHSAA’s Board of Control unanimously accepted the recommendations of commissioner Brigid DeVries during the special meeting.

“It’s a goal of the association to have people follow the rules and regulations,’’ DeVries said.

The ruling ended an investigation that lasted almost two years.

Rose Hill was fined $1,000 each for violating Bylaws 10 (recruitment), 13 (financial aid), 6 (transfer rule — domestic students), 9 (practice of ineligible students), 17 (supplying information) and 1 (institutional control).

Much of the probe focused on alleged recruitment and financial aid violations involving Michael Fuller, who played for Rose Hill from 2004-07 while receiving the David Garnes Memorial Scholarship.

Fuller was given the scholarship that exceeded the limit allowed by the KHSAA.

During Monday’s meeting, it was also revealed that Rose Hill self-reported improper tuition payment for Corey Gregg for the 2008-09 school year. Gregg, now a sophomore, has transferred to Ashland.

“There is an expectation by the KHSAA board, staff and membership that each high school, though its principal and superintendent, have a level of institutional control that ensures compliance with the association constitution bylaws and policies,’’ DeVries said. “The investigation revealed that this was not the case at Rose Hill in this situation.’’

Prior to next school year, Rose Hill is required to certify to the commissioner and Board of Control that the school and all of its personnel are in full compliance with KHSAA Bylaws, rules and policies before the school’s membership in the KHSAA is renewed.

Also, Rose Hill must submit financial aid information for approval by KHSAA staff.

Board of Control President David Weedman advised Rose Hill to have policy manuals available for administrators, coaches and athletes “so that everybody knows what is expected of them.’’

At the same time, lead investigator Darren Billberry and several board members complimented Rose Hill administrator Sharon Parsons and principal Jerry Foster for their cooperation throughout the investigation.

“We have tried to report as best as we could any specifics that were asked,’’ Parsons told the board. “We are doing our best to make the changes necessary.’’

Parsons came on the job in the fall of 2008 and has since worked to get Rose Hill on the right track with the KHSAA.

“It has taken a lot of time to get clarification for things, to understand the compliance issues,’’ she said.

After Monday’s ruling, Parsons met with various groups at Rose Hill including the boys basketball team. Her son, Ethan, is a senior player.

“As a school, we are looking to move past this,’’ she said. “We are looking forward to the future.’’

Rose Hill athletic director Jerry Klaiber attended the meeting and voiced his objection to the ban on postseason competition for the 2009-10 and 20010-11 seasons.

“You are penalizing people that were not involved,’’ Klaiber said. “These are kids that were in grade school (at the time). It’s not fair to suspend them from postseason play.’’