Preferential Treatment For Players Cited In Hoover Report

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) - A report into improprieties at Hoover High
School concluded that actions by administrators -- more than
football coaches -- created preferential academic treatment for
some standout football players.
The report released today says Assistant Principal Carol Martin
and Peer Helping Coordinator Terri Borie became so involved in
helping one player's academic challenges that they --quoting --
"had in essence lost their objectivity and self-restraint."
The Birmingham News has previously reported that player is Kerry
Murphy, who signed with Alabama but did not qualify.
The report, conducted by Birmingham attorney Sam Pointer Junior
says that Hoover High athletics has "grown into a big business"
and needs tighter administrative controls.
The News summarized Pointer's findings on its Web site today.
The entire 68-page report was posted on the Internet at
www.hoover.k12.al.us.
The report also says football coach Rush Propst's bank account
records reflect he has been providing financial support for a
second family in the Pell City area.
Pointer's report concludes that the grade change for a football
player, identified by The Birmingham News as Josh Chapman, a player
at Alabama, was the result of "innocent human error" and was not
an effort to inflate his grade.
The report states Borie received a call on her cell on May 30th
from Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, who told Borie he
learned the player was "seven one-thousandths" a point below the
GPA he needed to be eligible.
Borie said he received the call from Steele because Alabama
officials were having trouble reaching Cindy Bond, a college and
career specialist.
The report criticizes former Hoover High Principal Richard
Bishop for not reporting the use of ineligible junior varsity
players to the Alabama High School Athletic Association, even after
it was reported by The News.
The report says Propst admitted he was responsible for the
ineligible players being in uniform and defended himself by saying
it was common for that to occur in JV games,.
The report states, quoting: "The knowing and intentional use of
ineligible players is disturbing, as is the fact Propst provided
different explanations for how the violation occurred. Perhaps more
disturbing is Bishop's decision to disregard his Athletic
Director's advice and not report the violation to the AHSAA."

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)