Skyridge High School football finds itself in the eye of a storm as it voluntarily discloses the use of an ineligible player in two critical state tournament games. The repercussions of this admission are substantial, with the Utah High School Activities Association taking decisive action against the team and its coach, Justin Hemm.
Skyridge High School football
On a Wednesday night, the Utah High School Activities Association made public the suspension of Falcons coach Justin Hemm for two weeks and two games. Alongside this, a hefty $3,000 fine was imposed on Skyridge High School. The penalty was levied due to what the association deemed a “lack of institutional control” regarding the violation.
Probationary Measures and Institutional Accountability
Adding to the consequences, the school now faces a one-year probationary period. During this time, Skyridge High School is obligated to implement measures to ensure the prevention of any recurrence of such infractions. The severity of these repercussions underscores the gravity of the violation and the importance of maintaining integrity in high school sports.
Lack of Immediate Response from Alpine School District
Despite these developments, the Alpine School District, to which Skyridge belongs, did not provide a prompt response to media inquiries seeking comments on the matter. This lack of communication adds an element of mystery and leaves questions unanswered regarding the district’s stance on the issue.
Skyridge’s last two games, playoff victories against Pleasant Grove and Farmington, now face potential jeopardy. The violation has raised questions about the legitimacy of these wins and has cast a shadow over the team’s recent successes.
Pleasant Grove High School contested the initial proposal presented by the Board of Managers of Region 3. The proposal suggested the suspension of the coach after reviewing the school’s report. An alternative proposal, advocating for Skyridge to forfeit the Nov. 3 quarterfinal game, was put forward by Pleasant Grove. However, in a meeting involving the UHSAA’s executive committee, a unanimous decision was reached, opting for a less severe punishment.
The UHSAA’s decision not to declare a forfeit for Skyridge is rooted in a rule alteration made in 2020. This rule stipulates that a school caught using an ineligible player would not automatically forfeit a game or vacate wins, awards, or championships. The change was implemented to replace the previous automatic forfeit policy, introducing a more nuanced approach to such violations.
The new rule outlines that a vacated win can only occur under specific circumstances. This includes scenarios where a forfeit cannot practically be applied, such as when an offending team has completed at least the second round of the tournament, and advancing an opponent without additional competition is not feasible. The UHSAA justifies its decision based on this rule, asserting that both Pleasant Grove and Farmington could make similar claims to advancement.
This season has not been without its share of conflicts between Skyridge and Pleasant Grove. A month ago, following a contentious overtime home loss, Skyridge fans allegedly engaged in unruly behavior, throwing bottles of liquid at referees and even resorting to physical violence. In response, a Utah body of nearly 500 football referees threatened to boycott Skyridge games, adding another layer of controversy to an already tumultuous season.
In conclusion, Skyridge High School football finds itself grappling with the aftermath of a significant violation. The suspension of the coach, financial penalties, and the shadow cast over recent victories highlight the importance of adherence to rules and regulations in high school sports. The season’s controversies only add to the challenges faced by the team as it navigates through this turbulent period.
High school football championships are commencing in Vermillion.
