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Title still rings true for Northern players

Thursday, May 28, 2009
(Updated 7:08 pm)
By Robert Bell
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — Officially, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association stripped Northern Guilford of its 3-A state boys basketball title.

Unofficially, the oversized, Super Bowlesque ring Michael Neal flashed Wednesday night indicated otherwise.

“State Champs,” it read. “First In History.”

“It feels good,” said the sophomore point guard, holding his right hand just so to let the light catch all the encrusted gems. “Looks good, too.”

Lost in all the allegations, investigations, name-calling, finger-pointing and legal threats that have arisen over Northern Guilford’s basketball team is the not-so-insignificant fact that a group of boys won 30 games and a state championship before a Guilford County Schools investigation erased it all.

Players, parents and fans gathered at the Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport hotel Wednesday night to celebrate those accomplishments at the team’s annual awards ceremony.

Coach Stan Kowalewski, whose contract is not being renewed for next season, said the ceremony and rings were not an act of defiance — the state athletic association is not recognizing any school as its 3-A winner — but rather a way to celebrate the players’ accomplishments.

“They’ve gone through a lot in the past month,” said Kowalewski, who paid for the rings. “If this night can put a smile on their faces and it stays awhile, then mission accomplished.”

There were plenty of smiles throughout the evening — as when a video showed former principal Joe Yeager wearing a deflated basketball on his head at a game during the season.

There was plenty of applause, too — as when Kowalewski presented rings to former Athletics Director Derrell Force and former head custodian Louis Lawson. Both were in attendance.

Force, Yeager and Lawson resigned from Northern on April 10, the same day Guilford County Schools officials went public with their investigation into allegations of ineligible players. Lawson later rescinded his resignation, only to be fired.

A Guilford County Schools investigation that is ongoing has determined that five students in four sports were living outside the school’s attendance zone. Those infractions cost the Nighthawks their basketball title and also forced the baseball, wrestling and junior varsity softball teams to forfeit competitions in which those students participated.

But none of that seemed to matter to Kowalewski and his players Wednesday night. Kowalewski praised the players, saying their work ethic and dedication were to be admired.

“That is what the kids are guilty of,” he said. “They worked harder than anyone else.”

Sophomore forward Jacob Lawson, Louis Lawson’s son, said it was nice to spend an evening talking about basketball and only basketball.

“It’s been very stressful for us,” he said. “All the other students ask us what we did wrong and if I’m coming back. I still don’t know what we did wrong, and I’m definitely coming back.”

Neal couldn’t take his eyes off his ring.

“I’m going to have this forever,” he said. “They definitely can’t take this away.”

Contact Robert Bell at 373-7055 or robert.bell@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Joseph Rodriguez (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Players received a ring and a plaque during the off-campus awards ceremony  at the Greensboro-High Point Marriott Airport for Northern Guilford High School.

Comments

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Maku1da

May 28, 2009 - 4:09 pm EDT

Its amazing how many of you are JEALOUS, that NORTHERN GUILFORD is the NEW 2008-2009 3A STATE CHAMPS!!!!!

I would love to hear how you REACT when your school goes under investigation, You do know it is still ongoing? So before you go making your assumptions and pointing the fingers.. Ask yourself is my school straight?.. Will it still be CHEATING when ALL the other schools are found to have INELIGIBLE players?

Because YOUR child could NOT compete and you know your child is on a CHEATING TEAM, you start this MESS with they CHEATED,..You been doing it for years..

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 6:05 pm EDT

If every single school in the GCS system is found to be using ineligible players, recruiting, or cheating by other means, it DOES NOT IN ANY WAY LESSEN how Northern "won" a championship by cheating. And they should all equally be punished.

There is no 2008-2009 State Champ in North Carolina.

I can't be jealous, because I don't have kids. But my tax dollars support these extracurricular activities, therefore it is very much in my interest that these contests be conducted fairly, and that the kids grow up with integrity, honesty, and character. Because these are the kids who will be running my country someday, providing law enforcement, medical care, and running businesses. I want the school system to encourage moral values in young people so the adults they will grow into become good people who will be productive and valued members of the community I live in.

The utter failure of the players and the parents to promote good moral values in the face of this scandal has me worried. It used to be than when a scandal broke, people scattered like the wind to keep the mud from sticking to them.

This scandal breaks, and the perpetrators do everything they can to add fuel to the fire. The level of selfishness here is more shocking than the fact that 2 ineligible players actually were on Northern's team.

So I am very concerned. The failure to instill values of fair play, honesty, character, and integrity don't bode well for our future.

Maku1da

May 28, 2009 - 6:34 pm EDT

For you NOT to have ANY kids, you have alot input on WHAT YOU THINK should happen.. You seem to be an ADULT and paying taxes is what you GOT TO DO.. Its seems that the problem your having is that you are MISERABLE and want to have something to do with something.. GET A LIFE!!!! If 1 school in the GCS system is put on BLAST why NOT every school.. How many INELIGIBLE players do DUDLEY, PAGE, GRIMSLEY, or any other school got on their team? How bout you PAY your TAX dollars and find that out.. PANACEA!!!

MommaOf2

May 29, 2009 - 10:14 am EDT

With all due respect, Maku1da, I am the parent of two high school student-athletes - a graduating senior and a rising junior. So, I'm no stranger to the politics of AAU and high school sports. Trust me when I say that I am a huge fan of any sport in which my sons compete, and I ALWAYS want them to win. However, when it comes down to right and wrong, I will be the first to say that if our school's coaches were gaining an ufair advantage for our team by recruiting outside of our attendance zone and playing players who aren't eligible to play, I would EXPECT for our team to suffer whatever sanctions were imposed. School and athletic officials, as well as student-athletes and their parents all know that the use of ineligible players can result in forfeiture of games, titles, etc. This is no secret. And the fact that "other schools are doing it" is certainly not a valid defense. This response is juvenile and nonsense.

If our school was investigated and there was ANY shred of truth to the allegations, who am I to fight tooth-and-nail to defend the wrongdoings? Just as we teach our children...for every action there is a consequence. The sooner coaches realize this, the better off our children will be. My heart really goes out to the boys on the Northern basketball team. All of them, eligible and ineligible alike, are victims of one man's quest for greatness and a championship title. And for him to continue to perpetrate this fraud by personally bearing the expense of championship rings for the players and folks who never dribbled the first basketball is just one more act of defiance. For everyone involved, this is a shallow and superficial victory - if that's what you'd like to call it.

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 2:05 pm EDT

Hurrah for the academic acheivers. Seriously. I'm happy for them.

But this coach taught his boys NOTHING about how to be men. He taught them how to be thieves and crooks.

They are not the state champs. They cheated. Period. Cheaters are not champions, even if both words begin with a C.

justcause

May 28, 2009 - 9:58 am EDT

I think it was a nice gesture to recognize and present the players with the rings. With all that is going on out here with our school system. This is the least of our worries. They have already been stripped of there title. So, they have received their punishment. The kids are not at fault here and we keep ignoring the fact that the reassingment board for GCS could have prevented alot of this. It is not the coaches or teachers responsibility to validate a students address. Also, there has been no formal charges brought against anyone only allegations!!! Botton line the players on the team gave there best and won. We could keep going around and around about what would have happened if the players remained in there district. But we don't know and may never know. It is time to move on and concentrate on bigger issues. Our educational system is on a downhill and we have a high drop out rate..... Lets stop looking at the negative and find ways to encourage knowledge and growth.

turkey

May 28, 2009 - 11:41 am EDT

You're right it is hard for coaches to verify a students address. The problem is that poeple/coaches who know the real issue is that he recruited. Anyone who says otherwise is either blnd, dumb or his wife.
Hey didn't someone say he was removing a large screen TV and leather couches from the basketball locker room. By giving things to kids at your school that are far above and beyond what other schools get how would a basketball player espeially one that has already played for the man in AAU not want to go there. C'mon get real he is a crook. This doesn't mean he isn't a good coach but if he were he could have won the state championships with kids that were already living in district. By the way some kids that weren't found ineligible, while even moving into the district did it for the wrong reasons and were recruited.

chosenone

May 28, 2009 - 11:55 am EDT

" They are like a family that coach K. put them together"

Truer words have never been spoken Ms.Ashley and that is why he isn't the coach anymore.

Jrock

May 28, 2009 - 12:13 pm EDT

This type of thing has been going on in our area for years. It was going on long before the Greensboro City Schools and Guilford County Schools merged. Either people didnt care back then or people decided to turn a blind eye. The truth of the matter is that it will continue to happen for many more years to come. In my opinion there are more pressing issues that the school system could be spending its time, money, and resources on. For example deteriorating schools that are unsafe for our children and faculty. Also, not to mention the coming cuts in certified teaching positions. Just seems to me that might be a little more important.

FactGiver

May 28, 2009 - 12:27 pm EDT

The folks that continue to profess Coach K and Northern Guilford's innocense are beginning to look like complete idiots. Sad but very true. Using an ineligible player(s) is cheating, so if that word seems harsh to you, I apologize, I'll help get your panties out of the wad. Regardless, what is going to be even more sad is when over the course of the next year, NONE of you hear from Coach K as he will move on to another situation that he feels he can benefit from and then use those kids to gain what he thinks will be coaching credibility. You sadly-mistaken folks continue to jump to his defense, but know that he will leave you high and dry. I wish you well because without admission and acceptance, Northern Guilford will continue to be plagued by guilt and cowardice.

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 2:14 pm EDT

Serious issues true.

But maintaining academic integrity in school sports is not a waste of time or money. It is essential that the investigation be completed and the guilty punished.

Otherwise, there's no point in having rules at all. Anarchy reigns.

ilvteaching

May 28, 2009 - 2:29 pm EDT

or the wrongly accused exonerated

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 3:04 pm EDT

Well, that's true. It is never a waste of time to exonerate the innocent.

But don't hold your breath waiting for vindication. The attitudes and behaviors of the cheating apologists tells me vindicaton ain't coming. Ever.

ilvteaching

May 28, 2009 - 3:11 pm EDT

Well, the facts tell me that it might.

ForTheKids

May 28, 2009 - 3:14 pm EDT

And the facts is all that matters.

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 6:06 pm EDT

Keep dreamin'

ilvteaching

May 28, 2009 - 8:19 pm EDT

Actually, Panacea, I am not dreaming. But, I see how you could see it that way. I have a few advantages over you, however.
1. I actually all of the people involved and have known many of them for years.
2. I know what information was presented to the state . . to whom, by whom, and why it was incorrect. Based on that, I believe their ineligibilty will be overturned.
3. I am not crazy.

I am on this site because I am concerned about the kids and the adults who unfairly lost their jobs. It does my heart good to know that their are other people out there, like ForTheKids, who also know the truth. The truth will come out.
In the meantime, you seem to be spitting out hatred against people you don't even know based on what you read in the paper and in the blogs. You might want to consider a different hobby.

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 8:24 pm EDT

So what you're saying is, you are biased. You have an inherent conflict of interest because you know these people on a personal level. I see that as a disadvantage.

But please: you've been making a lot of claims about who what and why. Please enlighten me.

Who presented what information to the state. Why did they present incorrect information. Why is it incorrect. What evidence will overturn the decision by GCS?

Until I hear a reasonable explanation as to why these kids are actually eligible, then I can't believe a word you say.

The adults involved got exactly what they deserved. I do feel for the kids, some of whom may not have understood what was going on. But that doesn't mean the result should change: why have rules if you don't plan to enforce them?

I don't hate anyone. I'm finding that accusation a convenient t label for people like you who can't come up with a reasonable answer to "people who cheat should be punished, not rewarded."

ilvteaching

May 28, 2009 - 8:40 pm EDT

They did not cheat. I do not see actually knowing the facts as a disadvantage.
I really don't care if you believe me. I won't tell what I know because the people involved, for what ever reason, have chosen not to speak out YET. They will. In the meantime your assertion that they got exactly what they deserved . . .I don't even know the word. I am not Stan . . I am talking about Force, Yeager and Lawson. DO you know them? Do you know what they knew? Do you know how they were treated? Do you know the parents involved. No, I didn't think so.
You are assuming they are guilty based on what the superintendent said. I am simply suggesting that the superintendent may end up admitting, at least in the case of the two basketball players and the cheerleader, that he was wrong (and perhaps given bad information as well).
But I do see what you are saying. When people lose their jobs in a terrible economy and children's hearts are broken, it is definitely much easier to assume they deserved it if you don't know the facts or know them.
We will see . . . . but

ilvteaching

May 28, 2009 - 9:11 pm EDT

Actually, I mispoke in the last post. All the superintendent has said was that the players were ruled ineligible. That is true, so he was not wrong. I believe that ruling will be overturned - that is all I meant.

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 9:30 pm EDT

Well, at least you admit they were ineligible.

If they were ineligible, then they had no business being on the team, and it was the right thing to do to strip them of their championship title.

Playing ineligible is cheating. Thanks for proving my point.

Just how can this be overruled if true?

ilvteaching

May 28, 2009 - 9:39 pm EDT

Can you read? i said they were ruled ineligible. They were. That ruling should be overturned. THE BOYS LIVE IN THE DISTRICT. The ruling was wrong because it was based on incorrect information.

But keep thinking you know everything . . . I glad you think you proved they were guilty.

ForTheKids

May 29, 2009 - 8:24 am EDT

ilvteaching...trying to reason with a person who has no interest in the kids in GCS is a waste of time. By the person's own admittance, they have no children of their own. That's scary when attempting to comment on the dealings with children. This person also stated they were an educator on the next level. Scary isnt it? Someone with some much hatred from something they have only read in the paper and blogs is ridiculous. It's sad that we must lower our standards and waste our keystrokes to debate with someone who feels empowered behind a computer screen. I say, let them rant. Take note. And when it all comes out, be ready with that spoon. Because it will be crow feeding time.

dcolin

May 28, 2009 - 12:58 pm EDT

As I have said.

It is all to complicated and a wast of effort/money needed for real issues.
Stop worrying about who to hang.

All coaches must be full time faculty.

Problem gone.

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 6:08 pm EDT

I think more drastic action is required. In the face of the total abdication of parental accountability, I think the best course of action would be to suspend all sports in all middle and high schools for 5 years.

If these parents want to keep sports, let them do it in their own leagues and let them pay the bill.

After 5 years start bringing sports back, with the requirement that coaches be full time faculty.

Sports do have their place in schools. But the system is so badly broken, it needs to be chucked and completely rebuilt from scratch.

Maku1da

May 28, 2009 - 6:42 pm EDT

WHO CARES WHAT YOU THINK? That is the EXACT reason why you DO NOT HAVE KIDS!!!! You don't seem to CARE about ANYTHING but your money and because its running LOW, now you want to BLAME it on anything.. YOUR AN IDIOT!!!! GO GET IN YOUR CLOSET FOR 5 YEARS!!!!!

Panacea

May 28, 2009 - 8:20 pm EDT

Ooooohhhh. I'm so impressed by the childish rant. Your command of language is nothing short of stunning.

So what you're telling me, is I have no right to free speech and no right to any say on the investment in my community that I pay for with my taxes.

Tell ya what. You pay my taxes for me, and I'll shut up. Until then, kiss my ass.

Maku1da

May 28, 2009 - 9:59 pm EDT

Panacea, You have EVERY RIGHT to say what you want!!!! But WHY are you making such a BIG DEAL out of something that you have NO CONTROL OVER, come on DUDE you DON'T EVEN HAVE KIDS!!! You are just some LOSER, that have had NOTHING but FAILURE ALL OF YOUR LIFE and looking for someone to BLAME... You mad at the wrong PERSON..

and look here I tell you what.... Start paying your TAXES ON TIME, TRY FINDING A WIFE, GET A LIFE, and then KISS YOUR OWN ASS!!!! LOSER!!!!

dcolin

May 29, 2009 - 4:23 pm EDT

Dude?

dcolin

May 28, 2009 - 1:06 pm EDT

It makes no difference who knew what when.

Ineligible means ineligible. Period.

Everyone does it is not an excuse.

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