State supreme court won't take Tahlequah Sequoyah QB's case
BY BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Saturday, November 10, 2012
11/10/12 at 5:20 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Friday declined to get involved in a dispute between a high school football player and the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.
Tahlequah Sequoyah quarterback Brayden Scott asked the state's high court to overturn a lower court's decision barring him and his school from playing in the Class 3A football playoffs because of alleged violations of OSSAA rules dealing with payment of fees for football camps and clinics.
With the first round of the playoffs set to get under way Friday evening, attorneys made arguments before a Supreme Court referee on Friday morning.
Scott's attorney, Chad Smith, asked the state's high court to reverse the lower court's decision or to put the playoffs on hold pending the outcome of the case.
Attorney Mark Grossman, representing the OSSAA, said the school was not contesting the sanctions. He said it was clear the violations occurred.
Grossman said a student does not have a constitutional right to play football.
The OSSAA said Scott violated the rules for having another entity pay for football camps.
The rule is designed to prevent players from getting an unfair advantage over other players, Grossman said.
On Wednesday, the OSSAA's board of directors restored the athletic eligibility for 11 other Sequoyah athletes found in violation of the rule. Those athletes are eligible for the remainder of the 2012-13 academic year in sports such as basketball, wrestling, baseball and track.
The board also imposed sanctions against the school, but declined to restore Scott's eligibility.
Early Friday afternoon after the oral arguments to the referee, the Supreme Court issued a brief statement on its website indicating it was declining to take the case.
Original Print Headline: High court won't take QB's case
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
