FHSAA Eligibility and Compliance

FHSAA Eligibility and Compliance

AllegationsAnd

Investigations

Florida High School Athletic Association

Focus

• Procedures• Process• School’s onus• Preliminary

Report

• Self Reporting• Final Report• FHSAA Actions• Corrective

Actions• Media


BYLAW 10.3

Allegations


Types of Allegations• Anonymous• Signed by non-school representative• Signed by school representative


Allegation Procedure• Determine Author– School representative or non-school

representative.

• Intent of Author• Credible information– Allegations with direct content and specific

information are deemed credible.


Allegation Process• Anonymous and vague allegations– Forward allegation to the school with no actions taken by

this office (inclusive of a warning in regards to continued allegations warranting an

investigation). • Credible allegations– Forward to school with inquiries which necessitates (time

sensitive) response. – Prompt school to initiate an internal investigation.– If necessary, school provides corrective actions.– Conduct a formal investigation.


School’s Responsibility• Control its interscholastic athletic programs by FHSAA rules

and regulations .(B2.5)• Responsibility for control rests with the principal . (B3.5.1)• Responsibility for control of a school’s interscholastic athletic

programs extends to and includes the education of, responsibility for and control over the actions of the school’s administration, faculty, athletic staff, student-athletes, student body, and any other individual or group engaged in activities representing, supporting or promoting the athletic interests of the school. (B3.5.1.1)


POLICY 37

Investigations


Compliance• 2.6 COMPLIANCE WITH RULES Each school must comply with all applicable FHSAA rules. The FHSAA will assist

schools in their efforts to achieve full compliance with all rules and will establish fair procedures for addressing alleged or identified failures in compliance. A school found to have violated FHSAA rules will be subject to such disciplinary and corrective actions as may be determined to be appropriate by the Association.

• 3.5.2 Compliance with Rules. A member school must comply with all bylaws and other rules of the Association. The school must monitor its athletic programs to assure compliance with all bylaws and regulations must identify and report to the FHSAA Office instances in which compliance has not been achieved, and must take appropriate corrective actions regarding such instances of non-compliance. Staff members, student-athletes and other individuals and groups representing, supporting or promoting the school’s athletic interests must comply with applicable bylaws and rules. The school is responsible for such compliance.

• 3.5.2.2 Cooperation with Association. A member school must fully cooperate in the investigation of any alleged violation of the bylaws or other rules of the Association. A school that refuses to permit the interview of any individual, to grant access to and inspection of pertinent records, to submit relevant information to the Association upon request, or otherwise interferes with or obstructs the investigation, will be in violation of this provision.


Self Report• Once the school identifies a violation, the report should include:

– Identify and list the bylaws and/or policies that have been violated;

– Provide a description of the circumstances leading to the reported violation;

– Provide the name of the student and/or coach (if applicable);– List the contests in which the student participated (if applicable)– State any corrective actions taken by the school to deter this

situation from happening again in the school's athletic program.– [email protected]


Preliminary Investigation• Determine if school’s internal investigation

and corrective actions were thorough and sufficient.– Did the school acknowledge a violation?– What were the corrective actions?– School’s corrective actions in lieu of penalties

assessed by the association?


Investigative Procedures• Once an investigation is launched:– FHSAA assigns staff or an investigative consultant.– School is notified in writing.– School shall notify students and parents/legal

guardians. – School will be informed of specific

inquires/allegations.


Investigation• Policy 37.4.6.2 Responsibility to Cooperate.

– Individuals who choose to not cooperate with the investigative process may impact student participation in interscholastic contests(refusing to cooperate voids their consent to participate as outlined in the EL3 form).

• Investigators are required to meet statutory standards.• School records, documents and any pertinent information will be

reviewed (financial, email…).• Interviews conducted on or off campus.

– FHSAA rep or school rep must be present for on campus interviews.

– Parent/legal guardian must be present for off campus interviews.– Consultants interview hours: 9am-7pm.


Actions• Corrective Actions– Develop protocol to ensure the violation does not

occur again.

• FHSAA Actions– Probation– Fines– Compliance Seminar (on/off campus)


Findings• Preliminary Findings– Allows the school to respond– Present any additional information and formulate

a written plan (corrective).

• Final Findings– Written account of actions taken by the FHSAA

and penalties assessed to the school.


Media• Media/General Public – Public records request.– Redact student names, but all other information is

given.


Contact Information

Natalie Strappy (Director of Compliance)

[email protected]

(352) 372-9551 ext. 230

Showing the way: Mentorship. Education. Service


mailto:[email protected]

Documents

FHSAA Eligibility and Compliance