AdMan, (11/4/2009 3:33:31 PM)

Sad.

Tulsa Kayaker, Tulsa (11/4/2009 3:34:37 PM)

here we go again.......

SRV, (11/4/2009 3:41:30 PM)

So Jenks is NOT the only one, eh.....Where are all the lame ones that slammed Jenks last month? Eh?

jenxrox, Jenks (11/4/2009 3:46:27 PM)

Ok, Ok. BTW wins in a runaway! Makes us look like girl scouts!

maximus, tulsa (11/4/2009 3:47:11 PM)

C'mon all you Booker T supporters. Tell us now what a great academic institution and athletes you have. Say bye-bye to all the administration. Shea better get his house in order!

GrannyTazzy, Tulsa (11/4/2009 3:50:14 PM)

Bet ya anything, they look @ Union next

Ignatz, A nice place where Democrats hold every office in the County. (11/4/2009 3:52:11 PM)

Oops! Looks like a City wide scandal is brewing.

terryf, (11/4/2009 3:52:11 PM)

i suspect schools all over town are scrambling at this point. ha

hypertude, Clinton (11/4/2009 3:52:32 PM)

I could have told you this 30 years ago!!! All schools need to be looked at! This is not an isolated problem.

DieHardSoonerFan82, Out in the sticks (11/4/2009 3:52:35 PM)

They need to look at union now and Eeast central. This is showing that cheaters never win. i say take away all there wins they dont deserve to keep them

PRCowboy, (11/4/2009 3:52:56 PM)

I dont think they are done with Jenks. When I was at Hale we had a hyped RB that transferred to Jenks and later went on to UO. I want to see what comes out about him. NO WAY HE WAS CLEAN.

AsConcernedAZNE1, (11/4/2009 3:54:25 PM)

This is sad.

Those 40 children will need a support system to increase the likelyhood that they will remian in school even though they are no longer able to participate in sports.

If that doesn't happen, what we will have is 40 more potential perpetrators on the streets.

Isaac Parker, Tulsa (11/4/2009 3:55:08 PM)

Uh oh, can see another Alternative School in the future.

PRCowboy, (11/4/2009 3:55:21 PM)

They need to look at union now and Eeast central. This is showing that cheaters never win. i say take away all there wins they dont deserve to keep them

Irony? Coming from a Sooner, it sure is.

CrippledShark, San Antonio (11/4/2009 3:58:09 PM)

How ironic is this? In the 60's they made the north side student-athletes ride buses to the south side.

Then in the 70's and beyond they realized that they needed these student athletes to be competitive.

Next they decided to take the schools from lower income areas and turn them in to "magnet schools". Thus in a weird way, allowing things to go full circle.

Once those "magnet schools" started winning and even drawing in athletes from the south side - they decide that they (the magnet schools) must be cheating.

So the south side upper income schools get caught at cheating. Therefore the north side "magnet school" must also be investigated as clearly the north side school cannot be that good unless they are cheating.

Here we are in 2009 and everything has gone full circle and a half. The wheels on the bus go round and round....

Welcome to the world of recruiting and where winning is everything. Even at the expense of ethics and morals.

Good day,
CS

psychedelikrelik, Tulsa (11/4/2009 3:59:34 PM)

I'd say if you're a basketball player, at ANY high school, you'd best be hittin' the books tonight.

maximus, tulsa (11/4/2009 4:01:48 PM)

Grantazzy: they won't look at anybody unless they're tipped.

Makeda, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:03:36 PM)

Well, well, well...I only feel sorry for the kids who were not ineligible and are forced to suffer.

These coaches showed poor judgement and were willing to intentionally violate policy, so they need to go...but so do alot of other cheating coaches and students.

okierunner, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:04:39 PM)

I guarantee (not literally) that ALL TPS and area schools are guilty. I'm sure that BTW is not the only school that has such violations. I believe an investigation should be done at every school.

hootie, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:07:27 PM)

DieHardSoonerFan82 - LMAO!!!! I guess we also should go back and make ou forfiet ALL of their wins for each of the 7 major probations that they were on back in the 60s, 70s and 80s, right!?!?!

MikieP, (11/4/2009 4:07:54 PM)

I had a daughter on the pom squad at Union. They checked grades every week. And spirit groups aren't even part of OSSAA. I know Union checks grades of athletes, but that doesn't mean that bad grades can't be covered up. I say if they're failing class they shouldn't be playing sports! I bet if they really got down to checking all of the high schoolers grades, you'd see just about every school in violation. Heck, you probably have kids at Holland Hall and Cassia Hall that are ineligible due to grades.

I bet AD's and coaches are scrambling big time right now. The recruiting thing is probably pretty isolated, but I bet kids playing without proper grades is widespread.

If ineligible kids from both schools play at the same time - who wins?

Kat Hat, Owasso (11/4/2009 4:08:20 PM)

I find it somewhat hilarious - in a sucky kinda way - that they have to forfeit a 90-0 victory over Miami...

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:08:27 PM)

"re-assignment of the Principal"

Does anyone ever get FIRED for incompetence in the Tulsa Public School System?

I understand that they turn down hundreds of applicants for teaching positions every year. Why would you keep an upper-pay-grade incompetent employee, and deny a job for a young person who may do a much better job?

And the Mayoral candidates were talking about improving education in Tulsa.....?

mongo76, (11/4/2009 4:08:37 PM)

Agree with Dusty,

If they built facilities dedicated to reading, writing & arithmetic like they do for sports venues, all the kids would be better prepared for the real world.

maximus, tulsa (11/4/2009 4:10:16 PM)

okierunner-this academically ineligible thing may not be rampant in TPS. Apparently the Einstein's over at BTW are the only group of administrators in TPS who couldn't figure out PowerSchool. “Fisher is quoted to have said, ‘Why should we be taking eligibility when no one else (in TPS) is?’ Classic!

FreeDrop, (11/4/2009 4:10:25 PM)

There is something inherently GOOD about a team that beats another team 90-0 having to forfeit the game.

Karma.

TulsaTulsa, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:10:40 PM)

I do feel bad for most of the kids. On the other hand, this is a good life lesson and will hopefully serve them best for the future...

Elusive, the burbs (11/4/2009 4:10:53 PM)

Apparently the system must be terribly messed up if all of these schools do not have a central location to send monthly reports to to verify eligibility like the OSSAA.

ImfortyoneOSU, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:11:10 PM)

How embarrassing..40....there going to be some job openings...I can check grades for lets say 40,000.00, a car, gas allowance, food, a couple conferences a year and a locker.
Stephanie whatcha you goin to do?

maximus, tulsa (11/4/2009 4:11:45 PM)

Kat Hat: Funny on the 90-0 thing! I didn't realize that when I first read it! Serves them right!

ImfortyoneOSU, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:12:03 PM)

Wanna bet there some homework being caught up on?

TulsaTulsa, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:14:52 PM)

and to the people who think the TPS admin. is being too tough because you think this behavior is rampant, hogwash! Think about what must have been going through the BTW athletics department staff when they were scamming and cheating the system. It is HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS, my goodness, why would the staff take this so seriously? To brag to their friends that a bunch of 16-17 year olds won a state title? So sad, hopefully they can discover there are so many joys in life that are free and can be accomplished without cheating!

Wally 70, (11/4/2009 4:14:54 PM)

The only schools that need to be checked next are ones with former Jenks coaches there!!
I don't think East Central or Union have any coaches that were mentored by Trimble!!

JAX, (11/4/2009 4:16:40 PM)

Many Eons ago, when I was in school, we were required to take elgibility cards with us and the teachers had to sign them each week. If the grades weren't good enough, you sat..

MusicLover, (11/4/2009 4:17:12 PM)

In the "real" corporate world, people who make decisions like this get fired at the very least, and if behavior rises to the criminal level may have to pay fines or go to jail, but most certainly at least have to hire a lawyer. I agree with you Corvetteguy, what happened to getting FIRED for incompetence?

katie, (11/4/2009 4:21:51 PM)

woohoooo, its about time...Athletics is NOT what school is ALL about!!
now lets clean up the rest of the learning institutions,everyone of them.don't forget,Owasso,Skiatook,Sperry and Collinsville,no they are not class 6A schools but they also need looked into....I know for sure that one school north of Tulsa has lots of inelgible players,because the teachers won't post their grades......

William42, Broken Arrow (11/4/2009 4:22:59 PM)

To the Girl Scouts at Jenks: Yes, Booker T did MORE than Jenks did - does that absolve your district from anything? Nope. Cheating is cheating, no matter what school. Don't think you're off the hook....

MikieP, (11/4/2009 4:23:03 PM)

I bet the coach at my old high school (Hale)is checking grades right now, since they have a chance for the playoffs for the first time in about 40 years!

I thought that was pretty funny about BTW forfeiting the 90 - 0 game. I remember thinking how can a school run up the score like that? Then I went to Union's game last week and saw how that can happen without even trying. It was 70 - 0 with 5 minutes left in the first half. Union started their 4th string tailback and most of the starters never took the field. Most of the Union fans sitting around me were cheering for the other team to do something - anything, to keep the score from being 150 - 0. Fortunately, a clock that didn't stop and the 9th/10th grade team slowed the scoring to only 79 - 0. It can happen. There needs to be another way of coming up with classifications other than enrollment - but that's another topic.

maximus, tulsa (11/4/2009 4:23:13 PM)

If they built facilities dedicated to reading, writing & arithmetic like they do for sports venues, all the kids would be better prepared for the real world.

Dusty & Mongo76: while your thought process is admirable, it sorely lacks in reality. As a famous college coach once said when asked why he deserved to be paid far more than a science professor: "80,000 people don't buy tickets to watch the science professor work each weekend". Athletics shouldn't be the most important thing to these kids but it is important. Unfortunate but true.

Amazing, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:26:12 PM)

I bashed Jenks for cheating and I don't take any of it back. Just because Booker T is a cheater too don't mean Jenks is now better.

I bet if districts dug a little deeper the ball don't stop with these too schools either.

What is sad is the cheaters are allowed to stay in the system and that sends a clear message to the kids that cheating is acceptable in those schools.

Hasty-Baker, (11/4/2009 4:30:53 PM)

MusicLover - Micheal Johnson and Butch Fisher were not incompetent. They knew exactly what they were doing. Committing fraud and blatantly disregarding rules were there offenses. Incompetence insinuates they didn't really understand what they were doing. This was outright cheating. Re-assigning personnel doesn't rid TPS of the problem, but the teacher's union will see to it that they keep their jobs.

maximus, tulsa (11/4/2009 4:31:25 PM)

Wally 70- get a grip. Paying to keep a kid's electricity turned on is completely different than flunking classes and not reporting it!

MikieP, (11/4/2009 4:37:42 PM)

If this had been McClain (or any other TPS school), nobody would care, but it's the premier TPS school - academically and athletically. I say forget the magnet concept and start over. Make people move to the BTW district if they want to go there.

AllSmiles, Sperry (11/4/2009 4:40:59 PM)

Wha cha gonna do when TPS comes for you!!!

Hide....duck...dodge....cheat...cheat....cheat!!!

Mar, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:41:26 PM)

I agree with Corvetteguy. What does Principal Johnson have to do to get fired? Shoot someone? I say get rid of the principal, head coach and assistant coach, athletic director at BTW and start over.

Good gracious! These are high schools, not college or pro sport teams!

Daniel Day Simpson, Edmond (11/4/2009 4:42:17 PM)

In a way its a preview of what they will get when they reach schools like TexasU and OU. I know O.U. has note takers in most <2000 level classes and will hire one if it already does not have one enrolled. In some classes they will announce an opening for athletic department note takers at $10.00 per hour. Then if you make an "A" in a particular class you can be hired as a tutor for that class by the AD. Then the AD operates its own computer lab since nearly 100 percent of all incoming student athletes do not know how to operate MS Office or Word. Then they have report writers because at least 50 percent of all incoming student athletes have minimal experience writing papers as they were just passed along in high schools like Booker T. Then if that's not enough the AD will hire you a personal tutor to keep you up to snuff. In the Switzer days it was so much easier because they just fixed the grades in the computer. I know that sounds ridiculous but it was a huge issue as the lady who fixed the grades for Switzer did 5 years in state prison when O.U. found out. When they found out she had already moved on as Bursar of UCLA. They extradited her and she rolled over on other people who were also convicted. I needed a transcript at the exact time and it was delayed 2 months because they had to compare computer records against actual class grade reports. In the end they recalled hundreds of conferred degrees that were essentially bogus. By then Switzer was looking at the NCAA death penalty and resigned.

forkandknife, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:43:35 PM)

Sad story.

jimmyd, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:44:08 PM)

Why feel sorry for the kids? Don't you think they would know when they're flunking classes? They wanted to cover it up just as much as the program admins. No one speaks up, "Hey Coach, I flunked English and Math. Now ain't that a piece of crap?" "Don't worry son, we're not checking grades, now get out there and hit someone." If you can't read and write or put 2 and 2 together, probably much better that your not playing sports. Now lets hope (hopelessly), that they hit the books and not the streets.

Sad. :-(

KARMA2009, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:44:26 PM)

Hasty-Baker...why mention Fisher and not Jimmerson..ALL THREE OF THEM MAKE ME SICK! My child attends BTW and this is SSOOO humiliating! At least the students will learn that a small lie, turns to a bigger and a bigger and even a bigger lie..what a disgrace!

billc23, claremore (11/4/2009 4:45:26 PM)

Sand Springs is next....Hello playoffs!

wanttoknow5919, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:46:34 PM)

It is a sad day.

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 4:49:45 PM)

I'm SO GLAD to see this happening. I feel for the kids I'm not that coldhearted. The reason why this is going on now is because parents are getting upset. If your student attends Webster, Hale, Rogers, Central, McClain, Edison, and Memorial, they are supposed to feel inferior because they can't compete due to illegal recruiting? All the athletes that would have attended these past powerhouses have been weeded out to go to the Union's, Jenks', BTW's, Broken Arrow's, and etc. I will be honest I attended high school from 1996-2000 and I know for a fact this was going on then. How else does Union get Jack Marlow or Ralph Charles? Or how does Union get MacKenzi Adams? Or how does Kejaun Jones go from being a Hale student then turn into Jenks' starting running back? It's one thing for a parent to move because of a job or an increase/decrease in monetary funds, but to move to another district because of athletics isn't fair to the people who decide to stay within a given school's district. Take a look at Webster (alum), they were never a powerhouse but they were always competitive in early 90'2, 80's and etc. But now all their athletes are at Berryhill, Union, or other places. That's not right! Now the whole westside of Tulsa is suffering many hardships. Bring back fairplay!!

winners circle, (11/4/2009 4:51:10 PM)

Funny how all of the 'Good" high schools are having so much trouble this year. I'm glad I sent my child to Rogers, where the only thing heard about it this year is a teacher got the top award in O.K.! Just goes to show who the better schools really are. Go Ropers!

TulsaTulsa, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:52:31 PM)

sorry for the kids because they have no decent role models jimmy! of course they know when they are cheating, but how many teenagers are going to stand up to a coach or teacher telling them "it will be fine, you'll get to play, don't worry!"

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:56:59 PM)

Dusty
I agree. Sports are now before academic.

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/4/2009 4:58:22 PM)

I guess the can of worms that was opened is bigger then anyone thought.

MikieP, (11/4/2009 4:58:42 PM)

jessegl27,

Don't blame the schools, blame the delusional parents that want little johnny to be a star! I say make it a mandatory one-year sit out period. That would help a little. But, a lot of the delusional parents move their families in the 8th/9th grade, so even a sit out period wouldn't solve the problem. I heard of a mom (not making this up) paying big bucks so her previously public-schooled kid could go to Cassia to be on the debate team! They don't even kick extra points in debate, do they??? What's the world coming to?

jenxrox, Jenks (11/4/2009 5:01:31 PM)

Do you the the TW will beat TPS to death to find out where the principal is placed tempoarily? Then maybe they could even print the address like anyone cares........like they did with Trimble.

sitting bull, Claremore (11/4/2009 5:04:35 PM)

Come on now............people really can't be suprised, you are absolutely right.. people in the real world get fired not reassigned..unless it is a gov't job....wondering how many other schools is sweating right now..time to clean our house..BTW..how about goin back to last year and seeing if they took eligibility last year..odds are they didn't ...........next headline BTW stripped of last 5yrs worth of championships....yea baby..hurry, we need to get our house in order.....

Lambo, Lawton (11/4/2009 5:07:51 PM)

I wonder how Jimmerson is feeling right about now? How does it compare to how Miami felt when you hung 90 on them using 7 ineligble starters? I can't wait for the OSSAA meeting when they suspend his cheating butt indefinitely. Think he will have a chance of being reinstated? I hope to God not! As AD he had an ever greater responsibility to do the right thing and intentionally cheated. Disgraceful! Molder of young men? My God, what are you trying to instill? Win at all costs? Shameful!

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 5:08:19 PM)

MikieP, I totally agree that parents are to blame as well...The TPS system or whichever school district needs to sit down and formulate a revised plan for academics and athletics. It should illegal to move your kid to another district unless it's a viable reason. A viable would not be because Union has a better football program. Don't think people like Stephanie Spring or whatever don't get hush money. If you think this isn't a big big problem than you probably didn't think there was illegal recruiting.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/4/2009 5:09:02 PM)

Get the mess cleaned up and procedures in place to ensure it stays clean. Athletics are an important tool in the educational process. Schools cannot afford to offer a high quality educations and educational atmosphere for students without a good athletic program.

TulsaComment, (11/4/2009 5:24:42 PM)

Let's reassign the administrative culprits to the unemployment line where they ought to be. And for the student(? sic)athletes, lets assign them to study hall during the normal athletic practices as well as during the scheuled game times. Obviously, neither group should be allowed to continue in their positions or as particpants and should be severely taken to task. They are cheaters, liars and slackers. It is rampant throughout the high schools. It is a sad commentary about education and instilling good solid values in the youth. Lie, cheat & steal, people.

Elusive, the burbs (11/4/2009 5:31:07 PM)

What an example the School System, Coaches and any other adults involved set for their students.

dork74, Broken Arrow (11/4/2009 5:35:17 PM)

The OSSAA should mandate a grade checking system that ties directly into the teacher's grade system. That way it would take the coaches and AD's out of the picture. An OSSAA official runs a report every week and sends the list of all ineligible students to every coach and AD in the state so that they can "police" each other.

That type of system would be pretty expensive but since this is sports we're talking about, I'm sure they'll be able to come up with the money somewhere, maybe just take away some more Senior Citizen meals and lay off a few more police officers.

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 5:36:44 PM)

There has to be something that us "average citizens" can do to fix this situation. We need to bring back Tulsa and the spirit of all the neighborhoods throughout the city. It isn't just an athletic problem, it's a city problem. Actually it's a state problem, because the OKC area is dirty too. Look up Southmoore!

stringer, (11/4/2009 5:58:59 PM)

If Johnson, Jimmerson and Fisher are not fired then there is no reason for anyone in the TPS system to ever tell the truth, do what is right or play by the rules. Send the message to all employees that this type of behavior will result in some serious punishment. Fire these guys right now!

born okay the 1st time, tulsa (11/4/2009 6:11:54 PM)

his talent & abilities?
He should be fired.

born okay the 1st time, tulsa (11/4/2009 6:15:08 PM)

Corvetteguy, in reality, mayors have no jurisdiction over teachers. The things they were referring to were support programs.

aint missbehavin, .. (11/4/2009 6:20:23 PM)

It wouldnt matter what they did,Booker T,OR McClain,they will forever be labeled black.With that the word attitude and po class comes,no offense..I came from there,thats the way folks think about these schools.Ya know what I think?When I think of these schools...I think bad @SS,and most of them dont want to mess with them.

DBJohn, Tulsa (11/4/2009 6:22:14 PM)

It's about time that the schools focus on academic instead of sports. I hope investigations are ongoing in the other schools. Apparently it is way overdue.

I believe sports program in schools is good but unfortunately not the top priority for many.

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 6:28:34 PM)

aintmissbehavin....What I could understand from that horrible grammar is that you think this is a race thing? That is just stupid period. It's a people thing not a race thing. Noticed some of the schools mentioned above...Union, Jenks, and so on. Write a sentence next time gosh.

CEE, (11/4/2009 6:31:30 PM)

How does a winning athletic program relate to the quality of the academic program? Many of the most demanding academic institutions have losing interscholastic athletic records.

As for BTW, they have always been the favorite high school of the ESC crowd; the other high schools get the leftovers. It has been that way for more than 20 years. The neighborhood schools suffer because of the magnets.

Jay Casey, (11/4/2009 6:32:05 PM)

What is amazing is that the students at BTW maintain such excellent academic records despite the behavior of their former principal and the football coaches. You can't fake the test scores and BTW students continue to excel there - especially when compared to all others schools in the state. Also note that the baseball team was found to be clean. Kudos to those people.

As for Jenks - that district is still stonewalling on coming clean and their admin rallied to protect their cheaters. A big contrast with TPS and Ballard.

aint missbehavin, .. (11/4/2009 6:33:57 PM)

Really,ya know that it is a race thang.Dont try to color code it.I noticed that the BTW was mentioned more than usual.

Tulsa Photog, (11/4/2009 6:35:31 PM)

They need to check EVERY school in Tulsa, not just the ones with the best athletics. Not just TPS. Some of the small towns have violations too, I'm sure.

I am a BTW grad and this disgusts me.

I am ALSO a middle school teacher for TPS. We are to submit the names of student athletes who are failing every Friday by 3:30 p.m. HOWEVER, the PowerSchool thing WAS an issue in the beginning. Also, if a teacher does not submit names, then it is assumed by the administration that the student is passing.

I assume the system is the same at all TPS schools, meaning it falls back on the over-worked teacher, just like everything else.

That said, a teacher can override a grade and give the student a D, then they are still eligible, so I'm not sure there's a way around this besides honesty--something not everyone exercises.

aint missbehavin, .. (11/4/2009 6:37:38 PM)

jesseg127 mission must go to Casia Hall ,lets not leave in nice comfort of those secure gates,with all that fancy grammer and all.Take a mission chick,dont go talkin bout things you know little of.

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 6:39:53 PM)

Missbehavin...It's absolutely not a race thing! BTW's enrollment is 50/50 or close to it. Jenks' enrollment has to be close to 80% white. It's about cheating and that has no color to it. BTW's Jimmerson is black, but Jenks' Trimble is white. The obvious reason BTW is mentioned so much is because the dang article is about BTW. But every smart Tulsan or Oklahoman knew this was a problem long ago.

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 6:41:01 PM)

Missbehavin....Mission is in Texas...I went to Webster c/o 2000. You need to buy a dictionary!

confederateU, (11/4/2009 6:47:33 PM)

“Allowing ineligible athletes to participate put BTW at a competitive advantage to other member schools that chose to participate by the guidelines we all agreed to...."

uhhhh, and which schools would those be???

ok - jenks was minor leagues compared to this.

"Five school officials - four from the athletic department, as well as Principal Micheal Johnson - were reprimanded. "

reprimanded? what, a slap on the hand??? how about FIRE THEM!!

i don't even think they reprimanded the coach at another high school who got a dui, or who was sleeping with a player's parent, or who got wasted at an away tournament. i think they thought it was cool. not talkin' football.

Mom of 4, (11/4/2009 6:49:51 PM)

You “Fisher is quoted to have said, ‘Why should we be taking eligibility when no one else (in TPS) is?’must be logged in to post a comment.

Ummm,gee, honesty, integrity, etc.
Just how did he get his job anyway, and why is he still going to be an influence to children?!?!?!?

confederateU, (11/4/2009 6:50:30 PM)

the principal - "Johnson will take earned vacation time “until the district can determine where his experience and abilities will provide the greatest benefit to students,” a press release said.
ouch - that hurts. NOT. so much for reprimand. he should be FIRED. and so should that principal at the other school that just got caught! he's the boss man isn't he??? it's his ship. FIRE HIM TOO!

GGG, Tulsa (11/4/2009 6:51:39 PM)

It's not just Booker T., it's a national attitude - sports are the all important factor in schools now. Yes, the administrative staff should be fired and housecleaning should begin at not just BTW but all schools. the problem is, it's not just the coaches, it's the parents and the surrounding neighborhoods that want to claim the pride of an outstanding sports program at the local schools. All sports and extracurricular activities need to be just that, extracurricular. You earn the right to participate by keeping your grades up and behaving in school. And it shouldn't be just an F that causes a student to be ineligible. Start with a student having more than one C be on probation, and any D makes them ineligible. Is it any wonder that so many European and Asian countries our surpassing us in education and business? They require an education. Our country requires schools to have a great sports program. There's something wrong with our attitude towards sports, and our lack of interest in our kids receiving the very best education they can get.

aint missbehavin, .. (11/4/2009 6:56:05 PM)

you act like ya just woke up to this kind of stuff jesseg127.heehee,maybe ya just got old enough to express your opinion.

DBJohn, Tulsa (11/4/2009 6:56:31 PM)

aint missbehavin, This issue has nothing to do with racism. Why are you compelled to even bring it up. This is about the lack of complying with the rules and regulations in the school systems not about your racism problem.

billsmith, (11/4/2009 6:58:09 PM)

The "good ol boy" system is still alive and well in Tulsa Public Schools. The principal will be reassigned when it is determined where he will do the most good? Hell, he's already proven he's a liability, so where is he going to do the most good? As a "former" employee of the district, that's where. In any other profession or line of work he would be fired on the spot. But, no, not in the respectable profession of education.

aint missbehavin, .. (11/4/2009 6:58:26 PM)

sounds like ya bought a webster more like it.

TtownTimmy, (11/4/2009 7:04:32 PM)

OK, Jenks, you got your revenge against Ms. Spring. Now, let's look at your total records and see who else is not eligible. As a Jenks resident for 13 years, I've seen much more than was in your "self report" by the law firm you retain for most of Jenks Public Schools issues. Also, your head football coach (which if read correctly in the paper doesn't even have a teaching degree) is compensated at 90K+, quite a bit more money than the BKT coach/athelic director who makes a bit more than 50k per year. If the Jenks district is so perfect then try taking on the students at TPS'schools. Let's see what Trimble could do at Webster. Good luck.

Mom of 4, (11/4/2009 7:05:48 PM)

You “Fisher is quoted to have said, ‘Why should we be taking eligibility when no one else (in TPS) is?’

Ummm,gee, honesty, integrity, etc.
Just how did he get his job anyway, and why is he still going to be an influence to children?!?!?!?

Big Doug, (11/4/2009 7:08:35 PM)

Just think, one ticked off parent at Jenks started this ball rolling...who says one voice can't make a difference.

tricky ricky, (11/4/2009 7:29:36 PM)

i have never understood why they spend so much money on sports. new stadium - new gym house for basketball- new track field and so on. i played sports in school baseball- basketball. does anyone feel the way i do?

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/4/2009 7:34:21 PM)

"Corvetteguy, in reality, mayors have no jurisdiction over teachers. The things they were referring to were support programs."

born okay the 1st time,

I got ya!

I just know that if I was following the last Mayor (Mayor Kathy Taylor), and remembered that she had made herself an "pro-education" Mayor, I believe I would leave education, AND support programs alone and make myself the "public-safety" Mayor.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/4/2009 7:34:22 PM)

"Corvetteguy, in reality, mayors have no jurisdiction over teachers. The things they were referring to were support programs."

born okay the 1st time,

I got ya!

I just know that if I was following the last Mayor (Mayor Kathy Taylor), and remembered that she had made herself an "pro-education" Mayor, I believe I would leave education, AND support programs alone and make myself the "public-safety" Mayor.

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 7:34:28 PM)

missbehavin...I didn't want to stoop to your level, but please go away. You can't even form a sentence or read a person's comment. I'm guessing you went to McClain? Please please do us a favor and let us have an intelligent conversation. I'm not in Oklahoma right now due to business, but I will be in a year and at that time my 3 young kids will be somewhere in the area. But the more I think about it, I don't know anymore due to ignorant leadership (Stephanie Spring) and most of the people sitting in those administrative positions at TPS. It's didn't just happen though, it's just getting brought to the light because people have finally had enough. The system is broken at almost every spot.

BTWhornets, (11/4/2009 7:49:10 PM)

feels disappointed in the admistration that ins't doing its job. As a student I have learned through coversations with teachers and other follow students that NOT A SINGLE letter, meeting, or assembly has been planed or will be planned to inform the students and teachers of what is happened we have been told to find out this information from the media. Dr. Ballad may have came to the school but he should at least talk with the students WHILE in school to help explain all of this instead of telling us to watch the news

Popeye, T-Town (11/4/2009 7:54:31 PM)

I hold the feckless Johnson responsible for all of this . He was the principle. He was the one the coaches relied on for decisions on many levels. He inserted himself into the sports programs and he blew it.

tfromtulsa, Tulsa (11/4/2009 7:56:09 PM)

It's hard to believe any school could make Jenks look like mere amateur cheaters.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/4/2009 7:56:54 PM)

Yes Popeye he was in control and made the relevant decisions not to do eligibility checks.

BTWsen10r, Tulsa (11/4/2009 8:18:19 PM)

Okay, Maximus, I'll tell you what a great academic institution this is. Did you know that we're ranked the 71st public school in the nation and that we just received the blue ribbon school honor which only 314 schools in the nation received, PUBLIC and PRIVATE? We also have 4 faculty members that have Doctorate degrees. In a public high school that is unheard of. Now for the rest of you people talking about us being cheaters be cause we "recruit" need to check yourself. Jordy was "recruited" because of a slight loophole saying that he technically wasn't enrolled until the first day of school, even though every knew he wasn't going to be back at Bishop Kelley. He didn't doing anything wrong on purpose. So you might want to check your kids eligibility because if you leave a school after 8th grade and that school carries onto 9th grade (e.g. Cascia Hall) and he/she doesn't get hardship, that student is ineligible. I can hear the papers being ruffled as parents struggle to get their kids eligible now that they know this.

DMD, O (11/4/2009 8:23:58 PM)

Thanks for your post Mrs. Albert ...... I think you will find MANY schools with 4 OR more teachers with doctorates.

Charger2010fan, (11/4/2009 8:28:32 PM)

I think this is so sad, BTW was a powerhouse every since I can remember. Remember when Lacy was the coach they won championships because he was a good coach, beyond reproach and he built a work ethic in his players when school was out the players didn't sit around while everyone else was enjoying spring, christmas breaks his players were out there on the field working for theirs. Unfortunatly, sports has grown into a big money thing. As has been stated by others those in charge who made these decisions should be terminated period, end of story. The schools that wont be pulled into this are those who don't have a snowballs chance in ---- of even getting near a championship berth, those schools will be left alone. Integrity is an integral part of a champion or should be. I noticed that just about every sport has been called into question except for basketball. Another thing that I find appalling is the fact that you have favoritism in sports as well I feel that each young man or young woman should be given the opportunity to get out on the field also. By having them sit the bench for their entire high school years brings those children to question their abilities. If you have a child that is coachable and will follow your instructions they should be afforded the opportunity to prove themselves. I've heard students say that they transferred to another school because the coach has advised them that would be their best bet because they will never play and they go to other schools and prove that they have what it takes to play.I am sorry that the seniors will not be able to seize the opportunity to play for a championship that they have proven by their skills on the field they deserve to play, but instead they will end their senior year in shame. The lower classmen at least have 1-3 years to regain that opportunity

T.B'Ville, Bruins (11/4/2009 8:37:49 PM)

Fire all the coaches and administrators who had their hands in this. Suspend all the players who were ineligible for the remainder of their high school years.

BTWsen10r, Tulsa (11/4/2009 8:46:36 PM)

Yo, DMD, if you didn't check my login its BTWsen10r. So obviously I'm not Mrs. Albert, I just have to stick up for my friend. Okay, so name 3 public schools in Tulsa that have 4 or more faculty members that have doctorates. If there are so many this should be easy.

KJNOKIE, TULSA (11/4/2009 8:47:21 PM)

Seems as if our schools totally neglect ethics. What great role models for our students. Those responsible should be fired immediately. No moving around. No cover ups. How many of those with good enough grades to play can thank teachers who just gave them the grades?

KJNOKIE, TULSA (11/4/2009 8:49:10 PM)

Check all the schools. Check them now. Probably should check middle schools. Wouldn't be surprised if the coaches start early in their cheating.

concernednp, (11/4/2009 8:53:26 PM)

T.B'Ville, you had better be careful what you say. Your school could be next.

goathead, (11/4/2009 9:18:19 PM)

Blame game at its best!

"Why aren't the administrators doing their job!"

"Why aren't the parents doing their job!"

HOW ABOUT THIS NEWS FLASH---------HOW ABOUT THE STUDENTS DO THEIR JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are the ones flunking the class, not their parents, not the administrators, not the teachers, not the coaches.

American society at its best, on this message board...blame everyone except the one who is at fault. IF THE KIDS WEREN'T INELIGIBLE BECAUSE OF FLUNKING THEIR CLASSES, THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED!

Also, Mikie, BTW DID try to run up the score on Miami. Coming after every punt, throwing with 5 hot and only seconds left in the half. Snap into a Slim Jimmerson and Ioder (Did he owe him too?) are typical low self esteem coaches who make themselves feel like winners by doing this type of activity. They use kids to make themselves look good! Thugs!

Sad situation yes, but students should do the work and pass their classes. Its HIGH SCHOOL, it isn't that hard, wait till real life starts!

goathead out

SandSpringsRob, Sand Springs (11/4/2009 9:18:41 PM)

Too much focus on athletics in the school system! These aren't football stars, they are young minds that need educated! Stop with all the football madness!

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/4/2009 9:24:38 PM)

Looks like a kind of double fired that last post. sorry...

That happens to men in life sometimes.

Teddy Bear 1975, Eufaula (11/4/2009 9:26:54 PM)

What sad this happening. Casica Hall will be going down next. No telling how many championships they will have to give up they won throughout the year.

sooner24, (11/4/2009 9:27:19 PM)

Dappie - be careful about bringing the small vs big schools into this because there is a lot of moving going on there too. Berryhill accepts kids that aren't in their "district" i.e. Sand Springs (prattville) and Webster and these kids/parents know what they are doing.

Big Daddy T, Tulsa (11/4/2009 9:29:50 PM)

As a BTW alumni this is very sad. I am glad that this has come to light and that the athletic department is going to be held responsible for their actions. It is also nice to read that the baseball program has not been involved with any of the illegal activities. When I was a student at BTW in the 70's we had weekly grade checks and couldn't participate in games unless we were passing all of our classes. I have no doubt that this type of thing is probably happening at other schools but that does not make it okay to have happened at BTW. As long as the system allows the teacher to just put in a weekly grade there will be pressures from coaches to say that "Johnny" is making a D when in reality the grade is an F. Principal Johnson, Coach Jimmerson and Coach Fisher all need to be let go from the TPS system. I'm glad to see that Mr. Furch (he was an assistant Football coach when I was there)and Coach Mims have been brought back to the school for leadership. I know that both of these men will turn the ship that is BTW in the correct direction and get things straightened out. If people think that their own school isn't above reproach you can bet that they are making sure everything is on the up and up right now.

For Aint Missbehavin, please do not try to pass this off as a race thing. It's NOT a race thing,our school has been caught cheating and needs to pay the price for those ways.

sooner24, (11/4/2009 9:31:34 PM)

Teddy Bear - nothing will happen at Cascia, they've got the money, just ask Price about his team's trip to KC. Bought his way out of that, and look where he is now. Money talks!

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 9:49:56 PM)

goathead....such a ridiculous post...Teachers/Coaches/Administrators are there to mold the youth of America, not let them fall through the cracks. I mean I am a future teacher/former athlete and I plan to implement a higher standard for students than the ones that are going on these days.

Sooner24...you are correct...I was a freshman at Webster in 1996 and the coach at Berryhill was trying to persuade me and my brother into going over there for athletic reasons.

naturetchr, (11/4/2009 9:57:14 PM)

This has been a long time coming. Now look at coaches. Why do schools have more coaches than teachers of any other disciplines? Why do we have classes with over 30 children while there are coaches that have classes of zero? School sports in Oklahoma are out of control and there is nothing "sporting" about it!

T.B'Ville, Bruins (11/4/2009 10:05:20 PM)

concernednp, my son has all A's and is in those advanced classes. He is a Freshman and plays Football, Track and Wrestling. We have been here for five years. So I know my son is safe on any violations.

Whoknew?, Tulsa (11/4/2009 10:12:44 PM)

BTWsr10 my son is also a senior at BTW and I am very proud of the academics. I am thoroughly disgusted by the athletic scandals. There are many Hornet families that feel the exact same way. I am glad to see changes will be occurring. I doubt seriously BTW is rated in the top 100 high schools in the nation because of athletics.

sooner24, (11/4/2009 10:14:55 PM)

T.B'Ville - you call in on Gilky?

sooner24, (11/4/2009 10:15:55 PM)

Or did you leave that to Gilliam?

DMD, O (11/4/2009 10:27:12 PM)

Ok Genius ..... Sorry you don't understand sarcasm ..... BUT ! ! ! The first school I looked at, Hale has four (4) Dr's LMAO I'll get back to you .......

uniondad, (11/4/2009 10:40:31 PM)

I really hate to see this happen to any school, but just because your schools are dirty doesn't mean the rest are!!

T.B'Ville, Bruins (11/4/2009 10:43:43 PM)

sooner24, no I did not. Dallas is a good player and we wish him all the luck. He said he would get noticed there for football and he is very smart. I wish him all the luck and so do the boys her in B'Ville.

DMD, O (11/4/2009 10:50:22 PM)

Edison has 3
Central has 3
But on the same lists that I found these ... it only shows BTW as having one (1).

Just sayin' ......

wasp, Pryor (11/4/2009 11:00:54 PM)

The hornets can pound their chest all they want about being "pride of the great sw" or whatever....today they've been EXPOSED.

This will taint them for yrs. And it should.

Heads need to roll. The OSSAA should simply tell the cheating coaches not to bother applying for reinstatement...ever.

enligtenedone, (11/4/2009 11:27:34 PM)

Glad that Johnson is no longer at BTW. He is a very ignorant man who just had the right connections to get the job and then used very poor judgement in his obsession with athletics, especially football and their coaches. He should not be reassigned but should be fired. Fisher needs to go also. Talk about arrogance. He brought the schools reputation down and hurt the athletic department by his laziness, stupidy and feeling of entitlement. He has a history of being a very ineffective teacher who can not teach the math subjects he is hired to teach and the students suffer from his inability. Take a class from Fisher and you learn no math! Jimmerson was greedy and self serving. That's how he was trained and he got away with it. Fisher was responsible for the paperwork regarding the transfers and the grade reporting for eligibility. Fisher brought the athletics department down and failed the students. Contracts should have moral clauses in them and these men were very immoral. Fire Fisher and Johnson at least.

jessegl27, Mission (11/4/2009 11:32:51 PM)

Uniondad....are you trying to tell us educated Okies that Union isn't dirty? I hope not!!! Given time, I could make a list of probably 500 players that weren't eligible or were "transfers".

Fire The Politicians, (11/4/2009 11:37:47 PM)

If the report from TPS is accurate, Johnson cheated, lied and bullied his employees when they confronted him with the grade check situation. In what world can someone who does this keep their job?

I am sure Mr. Booker T. Washington is spinning in his grave. Does anyone who tries to defend Johnson think for one minute that the great man for whom that school is named would tolerate, excuse or condone this conduct?

But Dr. Ballard is right. The focus has to be on getting the right people in leadership at the school. We have gone from Green to Boyles to Rogers to Johnson in a span of what, 6 or 7 years? And now we have to get yet another principal?

Let us all hope and pray that Dr. Ballard and the Board make the right decision and hire the absolute best principal for the kids.

Another TPS parent, (11/4/2009 11:45:29 PM)

It is sad to see such an exemplary high school have its reputation tarnished by a few who seek personal glorification.

Hopefully students will learn a lesson here....never, never participate in something that MAY damage your integrity or reflect badly on your employer or co-workers. The cost is too high and the damage can never be repaired.

cosmo7, (11/5/2009 12:02:13 AM)

There is one thing about all this that we can take heart in. First, it is apparent that the Booker T classroom teachers are holding the students accountable academically. The fact that so many students were ineligible says to me that the classroom faculty don't give out grades to athletes. That is a good thing. Secondly, it is apparent that the TPS athletic department took a tip and got straight to the bottom of what was going on in about 18 days. Now the principal is gone. The coaches are out of the picture and the school has a new captain till they find a permanent one. Sure its embarrasing, but its better to rip the band aid off all at once and get back to doing it the right way. If everyone did the right thing all the time rules would not need to have penalties. This is the way to handle a problem. BTW students have nothing to be ashamed about. Some adults let you down but you still have a great school so make it greater. Best of luck to all you Hornets. Hit the books and everything will be alright.

rogerq, Pyeongtaek, South Korea (11/5/2009 2:41:54 AM)

from south to north. who is next? east or west?

getreal, (11/5/2009 5:20:36 AM)

The one thing missing so far; no one has been terminated from TPS. Just move people from one mess to another.

Barbara Wright, Norman (11/5/2009 5:50:37 AM)

Tulsa Public Schools moves incompetent teachers from one school to another. Now they are doing it with those responsible for letting down so many students and their families. What does this teach kids? Cheat and we will just slap you on the wrist?
Come on, Supt. Ballard, you can do better than this! Perhaps, this should be the start of getting rid of state laws that make it so very difficult to fire these people!

Travelin Man, tulsa (11/5/2009 6:21:32 AM)

Another example of rewarding poor performance.

Shumate, (11/5/2009 6:29:22 AM)

Ballard states that "what grieves me the most about this process is the harm that has been done to the students--to athletes who worked hard all summer to showcase their abilities."

I wonder if it grieves him that they didn't work hard all summer (or any other time) to showcase their academic abilities.

Just curious.

The Bug, Tulsa (11/5/2009 6:51:53 AM)

Realistically I'm sure that Jenks and Booker T are not isolated islands with this kind of issue.
I know for a fact that it happened decades ago when I was in school.
I'm sure now there are coaches, ADs and principals scrambling to scour their eligibility rosters of all student athletes.

lostinOK, (11/5/2009 7:30:13 AM)

The saddest thing to me is the message that was being sent to those 37 kids that were failing and all the other student atheletes in the area being allowed to fail and play. It just tells them I don't care what you learn as long as you perform as an athelete. And then 1 to 4 years later when HS atheltics are over, what do they have?

JAX, (11/5/2009 7:35:53 AM)

A few years back, three former football players sued their college. Because when they graduated,
they couldn't read or write........

BTWsen10r, Tulsa (11/5/2009 7:42:37 AM)

DMD, those schools only have 3 not 4 or more. You might want to check this list because i've had two Dr. Foore (who was just inducted into the national hall of fame) and Dr. Marshall. Then there is also Dr. Chapman. So I'm already up to 3, should I continue? I got your sarcasm, I mean i go to booker t and I'm already into college so obviously I'm not an idiot. And these schools other than edison probably have their doctorates in underwater basket weaving. Not Law and Psychology like ours do. Doesn't it feel good to be getting in a blog fight with a 17 year old. I bet you can really pride yourself on that.

BTWsen10r, Tulsa (11/5/2009 7:44:47 AM)

and Whoknew? I'm definitely still proud to be a BTW student.

goathead, (11/5/2009 7:46:56 AM)

Jesse, I never said it wasn't the teachers job to mold, way to read into.

I said it is the STUDENTS job to pass their classes. 60% is passing. You telling me this great academic school of BTW doesn't have kids that can pass 60% of their assigments. IF so, it is due to laziness on the students part. High school isn't that hard!

mongo76, (11/5/2009 7:58:40 AM)

Maximus,
Don't disagree with you on the college analogy.
But we're talking about high school. If students can't read, write and do mathematics, which unfortunately it appears some of these kids can't do, their chance of seeing a college classroom or succeeding in the real world is greatly reduced.

DMD, O (11/5/2009 8:00:03 AM)

When's your BD? I'll be 18 in April ...... I'm just glad you can carry on a conversation unlike most of the other high school kids on here.

On BTW's website it only lists one Dr.

crzyppl, (11/5/2009 8:07:32 AM)

Unfortunately, in education, incompetence usually gets promoted.

lucky girl, mine (11/5/2009 8:08:53 AM)

What is the message they are sending the kids?

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/5/2009 8:14:40 AM)

Is there such a thing as won "fair and square" anymore.

Thunder196, Tulsa (11/5/2009 8:20:50 AM)

We seem to be teaching the children involved in these sports. Win at all costs, rules are for others, every one's doing it, the list goes on and on.
.
Adults need to remember these ethics that are being taught will continue with our children in all aspects of the their lives.

Retired TPS in Texas, The Woodlands (11/5/2009 8:21:02 AM)

Excellent choices for leadership at BTW. Always had a HUGE issue with magnet schools and this seems like just desserts to me. Everyone knew this has always gone on, and not just there, it is pervasive at all schools.

CABT, Tulsa (11/5/2009 8:39:01 AM)

T.Bville, Why would you post a child's name on one of these stupid forums? I am really hoping that your name is not Trish...

BetterorWorse, (11/5/2009 8:42:21 AM)

The Buck stops at the top...if Principal Micheal Johnson was either unaware or failed to impose the eligibility check requirements, he failed his duty as both a principal, a leader, an educator and as a role-model. He further added to the insult suffered by those students who worked hard to maintain their grades and participate in athletics in the hopes of shining and going on to better things.

Micheal Johnson, and anyone else associated with this scandal, SHOULD BE TERMINATED FOR CAUSE IMMEDIATELY to set an example that you can not play with children's lives like this and effect their future and understanding of fair play and honesty in life. Reshuffling these people amounts to nothing more than a slap on the wrist and shows a huge weakness on the part of Superindenent Ballard to do the right thing for his students.

Bubba, Bixby (11/5/2009 9:13:07 AM)

"Principal Micheal Johnson to be reassigned to another site"

ummmmm....really? Why not just fire him?

maximus, tulsa (11/5/2009 9:22:45 AM)

BTWsen10r: yes, and aintmissbehavin and your 37 academically ineligible students are a fine example of that. Thank God at least some of the BTW students pay attention and go to class so you can win those academic awards. Cudos to you and the others who make BTW academics proud.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/5/2009 9:23:23 AM)

Is there any weight to height limits for employees within the Tulsa public school system that are seen daily by impressionable young students?

2ndjoyce, BA (11/5/2009 9:41:19 AM)

Weight to height limits? Well, aren't you kind, Corvetteguy?

paprika, teahas (11/5/2009 9:44:11 AM)

The non-firing of the principal in this case is a demonstration of one of the problems with the beauracracy in TPS and the teacher's union. They can't even get rid of the worst of the worst.

Buffaloe, (11/5/2009 9:53:23 AM)

OSSAA looks so clean don't they? Bring down Jenks, Union, BT , etc and all the high school programs. What tremendous waste of money spent to make high school football look like college. Look at the stadiums. Why not build one or two really nice stadiums and let them share them . I mean 3-4 games per year vs they cost$$$? Save the money and let 4 teams share a stadium. Put the money in the class room. Supports sports but not this pollution is way out of control.

Buffaloe, (11/5/2009 9:56:47 AM)

Fire BT principal but not Jenks? How come? Black guy vs white guy? Fire them both....

DomoArrigato, Outside of Tulsa (11/5/2009 10:04:37 AM)

OSSAA has developed hand cramps from all of the hand wringing that they are doing through all of this. They were on top of all of this, just like they were on top of keeping their funds safe from embezzlement. Self policing sure has worked out well for the OSSAA.

Buffaloe, (11/5/2009 10:22:41 AM)

Why go to great lengths to have a great football program at high school level? It's not like they will go onto OSU or OU.

Do your homework: the Oklahom kids won't make it, 50% of starting line-ups for OSU/OU are from Texas anyway. LOL Kinda frustrating isn't it?

DavidM F, (11/5/2009 10:34:49 AM)

All this is about is leadership & money, but tell that to the kids who don't make it to the next level of play. The adults have short changed them in life. Our kids will be as good as the leadership is at any school. My son starts as a 10th grader in 6A, and if any of his grades fall below a 75% avg, I will pull him off as a starter. These are kids who like to have fun, do them a right... People who turn there head should be ban from school employment...STANDERDS ARE VERY LOW....LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP...

Mar, Tulsa (11/5/2009 10:45:46 AM)

Superintendent Ballard hasn't reassigned Johnson...yet. In other words, he could still fire him or put him in a real crappy job position that Johnson will quit.

I agree with some of the comments above referring to the students. Those students that were not making passing grades to allow them to be eligible to play sports knew it, their parents knew it. So this whole situation stinks from the students up the chain to the coaches, BTW administration.

I think all high schools in Oklahoma should be checked out to see what other schools doing the same things (or worse) that Jenks and BTW has done. No doubt, the list of schools will get very expanded.

The #1 reason for attending school is to get an education, period. Sports should be an after thought.

shaw411, Scottsdale, AZ (11/5/2009 10:53:07 AM)

I am sure there will be a trickle down effect to other schools in the district.....

Michael Keller, (11/5/2009 11:05:31 AM)

I wonder if they still _require_ students to attend the loud pep rallies.

kma, (11/5/2009 11:16:16 AM)

Buffaloe, while off the subject of this article, OU/OSU aren't the only schools the play football, nor are they the only schools that offer football scholarships. There are plenty of D2 and NAIA schools around that reward student-athletes for their athletic achievements as well as their academic achievements. Knowing there are multiple options beyond the Sooners and Cowboys shouldn't leave anyone frustrated.

redbeard, Stillwater (11/5/2009 11:36:32 AM)

I also agree with Dusty.Kids attend school to get an education so they can excel in the workplace.

Somewhere along the way some folks forgot that academics is more important than sports.

Giving these kids a free pass does more harm than good.

Buffaloe, (11/5/2009 11:54:33 AM)

I say pay them to play at high school and college level. I mean, in college we pay Stoops $5 mill year so why not pay the college kids. Let's stop the out of date "can't take cars or money or talk with NFL agent rules". Let's face it , the fans want entertainment so let's pay the players and give them cares. I really don't care ..it is entertainment so let's let the players get something out of it. OR pay Stoops $100,000 per year and any other college coaches.

40% graduation rate..i say use them for what they are worth but pay them.

Buffaloe, (11/5/2009 11:57:51 AM)

kma,

You smoking dope. You really think Oklahoma parents are thinking "i want my kids dream to be at an NAIA or Div 3 school"? I miss those conversations.

"Maybe he can be a Boomer Sooner or Poke" is the only think I here...hence, the worship at high school level. The schools give what the parents and fans want. They just don't want to admit it....

HOGRIDER, BA (11/5/2009 11:57:56 AM)

What's up with the reassignments? How about reassigning to the unemployment line!

just the fax, (11/5/2009 12:19:09 PM)

to paprika: Oklahoma teachers do not have unions or they have associations. They are two different categories.

kma, (11/5/2009 12:53:23 PM)

You're missing a lot more than conversations, Buff. And when you come back with an answer at least have your facts. D3 schools don't give athletic scholarships. That's why they're D3.

But then logic and reason aren't really familiar terms or processes to you.

Elusive, the burbs (11/5/2009 12:53:45 PM)

I would imagine they are checking all high schools in Tulsa after this debacle, other districts should be doing the same. Ballard simply needs to put his foot down speaking to every high schoool principle that this will no longer be tolerated. Get all of those t's crossed
and i's dotted or suffer serious consequences.

bigcplumber, (11/5/2009 1:03:16 PM)

Crippled shark you have got to be kidding right. With opinions like that better left to yourself!

bigcplumber, (11/5/2009 1:04:17 PM)

KMA it is a grant still free money

Another TPS parent, (11/5/2009 1:08:33 PM)

We are still cleaning up mistakes left from Dr. Z...Dr. Z is the one who place Principal Johnson, first at Carver and then moved him to BTW.

He left us a wonderful legacy didn't he...and just think we paid him to do it to our kids!

forkandknife, Tulsa (11/5/2009 1:09:15 PM)

So Jenks is not alone out there. This is a terribly sad story. What does this teach our youth today? Surely not responsibility.

HSbballfan, (11/5/2009 1:15:31 PM)

**** Dappie said: “First, they should suspend athletics at BTW in all sports for the rest of this year and do a full scale investigation.”
That is outrageous! Not all the sports at BTW were affected by ineligible – academically or otherwise – students. Basketball, for example, hasn’t even started playing games yet. Why suspend their season because the football, softball, volleyball and track seasons were affected? Also, I know the girl’s basketball program is run by a stellar coach who goes to great lengths to follow the rules – ALL of the rules. Why in the world should her program be shut down?
*** Aint missbehavin said: “Really,ya know that it is a race thang.Dont try to color code it.I noticed that the BTW was mentioned more than usual.”

That is even more outrageous than what Dappie suggested! When people break the rules they should be punished. Black, white – it doesn’t matter. The fact is that they broke the rules and lied about breaking the rules. Now they will be punished. How anyone could logically claim that this is a race issue is beyond me. It sounds to me like Aint Missbehavin thinks that black people should get away with breaking the rules because they happen to be black and therefore shouldn’t be held accountable. On another post for another story related to this one, someone said that having extremely low expectations for a black person is a subtle but cruel form of racism. I couldn’t agree more. Jimmerson, Johnson, and Fisher have to be held accountable for what they did, and their race doesn’t matter one iota.

kma, (11/5/2009 1:18:02 PM)

bigcBut not an athletic scholly. When you're stacking schollies (if there's no full ride on the table), the more the better. And there are limits to grants. And the amount of time spent means its not "free money".

Kriskramed, Tulsa (11/5/2009 1:23:33 PM)

HSbballfan is completely correct!! Punish the guilty - enough said!

HSbballfan, (11/5/2009 1:30:16 PM)

And for those of you doubting that BTW is a phenomenal school academically. Here are some facts found on the TPS website.
I compared BTW with Edison because it is another magnet school, and with Hale to compare them to an “average” school.

BTW had 3 teachers with doctorates for the 2008-2009 school year. Edison had 2; Hale had 6. Of those teachers, BTW had 6 who were nationally board certified; Edison has 7; Hale had 3.

The graduation rate at BTW was 100% last year. At Edison it was 88.9%; Hale’s rate was just 53.5%.

The average ACT score for students at BTW last year was 22.8; at Edison it was 21.9; Hale’s average score was 17.5.

The End-of-Instruction scores for all subjects last year are as follows:
English II -
BTW 94% passed Edison 79% Hale 60%
English III -
BTW 94 % passed Edison 85% Hale 68%
U.S. History-
BTW 86% passed Edison 70% Hale 44%
Algebra -
BTW 92% passed Edison 87% Hale 51%
Geometry
BTW 86% passed Edison 82% Hale 63%
Biology
BTW 90% passed Edison 80% Hale 44%

So BTW has a lot to be PROUD of. I agree that a few bad apples at the school have put a sour taste in the mouth of students, faculty, and Tulsan’s in general. However, it’s a mistake to assume the entire school is falling apart. This won’t last forever; BTW was, is, and will be a phenomenal place to be.

BAproud, (11/5/2009 1:30:24 PM)

Maybe it's time to punish cheating schools by removing their athletic programs for several years at a time. The budget crisis the schools face are increased by ongoing fights at the events requiring extra security costs, legal defenses required by school boards to defend their actions or lack of action and building high-tech athletic facilities. I understand that the football programs usually fund other athletic programs, but perhaps it's time to run these programs like a business. If there aren't funds, then you can't have the program. The bond dollars used to build these high-dollar athletic facilities could surely be put somewhere else to support increased academic needs.

J C OK, Tulsa County (11/5/2009 1:48:56 PM)

This would not have happened if they would send all the students to their neighborhood schools. Infect all schools for the sake of football, etc. Booker T. gets athletes for one reason only and good students mixed in. I would not let my children consider such a school. It has never been anything but a way to mix the students.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/5/2009 1:53:14 PM)

BAproud,

The Broken Arrow Tigers beat the Booker T. Washington Hornets this season.

Why are you so hard on the kids?

Fire the administrators that thought this sceme up, or looked the other way.

BAproud, (11/5/2009 2:03:12 PM)

Corvetteguy-it's not about winning or losing a football game--it's about cheating. It's about ethics--being accountable for your actions. Teaching kids what is truly important to succeed in life. I'm in complete favor of investigating all schools-including BA--and if it's found that they have cheated--then so be it. Fire the administrators responsible just as should be done in this case.

bruinsooner, (11/5/2009 2:13:18 PM)

tricky ricky-regarding the spending of lots of money for sports facilities is a waste--I agree with you. Sapulpa built a nice new basketball/volleyball gym. The league tournament and regional tourneys were held there. Union just couldn't handle being second fiddle. So they somehow came up with the cash to build a 6,000+ seat small arena for their basketball team. They already had an excellent performance gym. I admit, it is kind of cool to go watch a game there but my wife and I laugh inside at every visit. Bartlesville may be followed by 1,000 fans who drove 57 miles one way to watch our Bruins play basketball but Union High School, with well over 3000 students, is lucky to have 500 fans in that huge monstrosity they call the UMAC, and they live in the neighborhood.

Whoknew?, Tulsa (11/5/2009 2:28:20 PM)

Michael pep rally's are no longer required.

SoonerRob, (11/5/2009 2:54:15 PM)

Hsbballfan, you need to recheck your statistics if you think 100% of BTW graduated last year. The eligibility of just fall sports participants show that 40 of them were failing classes. I don't know how you can graduate when you are failing classes at that rate!

Take a minute to step back and think about how many starting football players were failing a class. There are at most 22 "starters" on a football team. I happen to know one of the starters on the team and he starts on both offense and defense. I am sure there are others that also start on both sides of the ball, but lets just say there is one other starter that does this. That would mean that there are 20 starters and 7 of them were failing a class during the football season. That is 35%!!! It is hard to imagine what little effort is being put out by these kids. In addition, apparently there are not very high expectations of succeeding in the classroom for these athletes.

HSbballfan, (11/5/2009 3:21:53 PM)

SoonerRob,

I checked my facts - twice, and according to the TPS website school profile for BTW, the graduation rate last year was 100%. I understand that the high grad rate seems implausible given the fact that right now everyone is concentrating on academic ineligibility. But if you've ever taught at a high school or had a student attending one, you are well aware that just because a student has an F on this week or that one doesn't mean the student ultimately drops out or otherwise fails to graduate. Saying that they can't graduate because they were ineligible during a couple of week throughout the year is just not logical.

If your struggling with the graduation rate and believing it is either misprinted or misreported, then concentrate on the ACT and EOI scores. BTW blows the other schools away, even the other magnet schools.

crazyassumptions, Tulsa (11/5/2009 3:34:50 PM)

Whoknew? There will still be pep rally's..that's what will get the students through this horrible situation, is the pride they have. Wait til next year, the football team will be ready and geared. I would hate to be the opposing team in any sport at this point!
SoonerRob...look it up yourself! the cirriculum at BTW is very strenuous, not the typical high school cirriculum. There are no AP classes for underclassmen...all classes are AP, which prepare for the IB courses that begin in the 11th grade for those accepted. Students whom graduate from BTW are well prepared for any college.
If the academic ineligible athletes would have been put on probation, like the rules state, for a week before being ineligible, I guarantee their grades would have improved. All schools have athletes that have to watch their grades closely EACH week.
The adults really messed these students up.

Jen, (11/5/2009 3:39:45 PM)

Why are they not demoting or firing the administrators? Sending the Assistant Principal to the exact same position in another school seems, well, an injustice to the other school and an invitation (to any other administrator) to do the same thing. It is not even a slap on the hand. Ballard needs to "get into it in depth" concerning the admins - the appearance of impropriety in dispensing discipline is overwhelming.

senor notas, Tulsa (11/5/2009 3:41:56 PM)

The OSSAA meets on November 11. I know it will hurt the students, but I think BTW should be banned from all sports for at least two years, and those in the administration who were involved, A.D. and Principal should be FIRED, not re-assigned.

concernednp, (11/5/2009 4:15:56 PM)

T. B'Ville---Did you get found out? Shame, shame on you!

Cooldaddy, Broken Arrow (11/5/2009 4:59:59 PM)

Absolutely NO excuse for this.

BDavisEyes, Tulsa (11/5/2009 5:05:44 PM)

HERE IS THE ANSWER........

For everyone who has said: 'I feel bad for the kids on the teams that WERE ELIGIBLE, you are EXACTLY right!!! What compensation will be given to them??? If I were a parent, I'd be getting lawyer. Why should innocent, hard hardworking athletes get trampled because of political bull-crap!!! Because a coach tries and makes 1 or 2 players a star and put their own name in 'lights'????

I bet if schools had to PAY the innocent for these devastating decisions there wouldn't be any more mistakes made. I think the principal, AD and all other faculty that KNEW should have to pony up the money from their OWN pockets to PAY for the PAIN & SUFFERING that the innocent players AND PARENTS are having to go through now and in the future....this is SERIOUS! What colleges will take some of these kids seriously?? Especially those that need to play for stats, etc. What about them???

NONE of these INNOCENT athletes will be able to hold their head up and say they played for BTW or JENKS or ......whose next???

UNCOVERED:
Jenks
BTW

STILL UNDER THE COVERS:

???

uniondad, (11/5/2009 5:21:12 PM)

jessegl27, I prob deserve to be called out on that. I just have this feeling the other shoe is going to drop....

hornetmom, (11/5/2009 5:24:47 PM)

I think we need to focus on the good that comes out of that school. Academics are among the best and it is rated the top high school. Students are the ones suffering for poor judgement that the administration has caused. Why berate the student athletes that worked hard all summer long. I think they have been punished enough having to watch championships stripped. Be easy on the students, they work very hard and test scores don't lie!!!

SC, (11/5/2009 5:30:18 PM)

What really makes me made is that Fisher and Jimmerson who have not been reassigned have not taken responsibility for what they have done. Rather, they are blaming others and playing victim.

parklady, (11/5/2009 6:13:41 PM)

The vice principal that is moving to Memorial was never mentioned before today, when they said he had asked for a transfer. My kids went to BTW and he and the other VP were good, honest administrators. I imagine he's tired of the b.s that came in with Mr.Johnson and I for one will be glad to see Johnson leave. I'm sorry to see Mr. Woodson go....Memorial will be lucky to get him.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/5/2009 6:45:38 PM)

parklady,

that's an amazing comment you've made.

did you happen to read any of the other comments posted?...

"good, honest administrators" that either were too dumb to catch on to the corruption right under their noses, or were in some way part of it... which was it?

soonerwatch, prue (11/5/2009 6:48:31 PM)

and now sand springs gets hit

goathead, (11/5/2009 7:20:18 PM)

Its hard to believe any statistics that come off the BTW website considering...

Sand Springs play ineligible player?

This is outright disregard for rules and regulations, something that has trickled down from generation to generation.

ANYONE WANT TO START A BIDDING BOARD ON WHEN THE "REVERENDS" WILL BE FLYING INTO TO TULSA ALONG WITH THE aclu?

Whoknew?, Tulsa (11/5/2009 9:29:47 PM)

There is so much more to BTW than athletics, teachers, school spirit, and diversity to name a few. It's too bad athletics have overshadowed the academics and great teachers. It has been challenging at times but I believe my son is ready for college. He was fortunate to have Dr. Marshall, one that accepts no excuses and as he states "inspires for a lifetime". I feel he was fortunate to attend BTW.

goathead, (11/5/2009 9:31:55 PM)

I am putting my chips on Friday the 13th....oooohhhh haaaa haaaaa! Both of them arrive at same time, in same airplane, and picked up by....

enligtenedone, (11/5/2009 10:08:49 PM)

WhoKnew? praising Dr. Marshall is no other than Dr. Marshall. WhoKnew? WeKnew. Talk about someone who plays the race card on EVERYTHING.

Whoknew?, Tulsa (11/5/2009 10:50:18 PM)

Glad we are all free to have opinions....

Disappointed, (11/5/2009 11:04:13 PM)

enligtenedone - you are so right!!!! Marshall knew darn well what was going on & I gaurentee was in the middle of it. If not, then why is he one of the only teachers (not admin or coach) that is wearing a State Football ring from last year??????? Plus, I know much more but can't post it here. I would LOVE to see HIM gone - and for the ALUMNI to quit controlling the school. Of course, there are 3 they won't be able to control as much now!! I am VERY sad to see Mr Woodson go, he is a very admirable and honest man and BTW is losing alot by his leaving, but you know that Jimmerson and Fischer and the puppet controlling alums would make his life he77 at BTW now, so I can understand his decision. Congrats to Memorial for getting such a great man.

Lessonlearned, City (11/5/2009 11:09:11 PM)

I'm very disappointed in the BTW fans. Where does your loyalty lie? The football stadium should have been overflowing with faculty, student, parents, alumni and onlookers. But yet you refuse to support who really matters and it's the children. They lost what they work so hard to achieve and instead of the North side, Southside, Eastside, and Westside Community rallying and supporting them. You sit in arrogance, pouting, pointing the finger playing the blame game. You disappoint me! That's exactly why WE are losing our children to the streets. We have stopped teaching morals and values. It displeased me to no end to sit in the Home of the Hornets stadium that use to be filled with fans of all nationality, but tonight it was like a ghost town. WE all have double standards the students & parents should have demanded Mr. Johnson, Coach Jimmerson and the coaching staff ANYONE that had knowledge of the misconduct resignation. It was our children that they deceived and manipulated all for another chance at a State Championship. Shame on you! Come on guys pull you heads out of the ground and take back the morals and values that WE were once raised with! WRONG IS WRONG whether it’s white or black deceit does not have color. SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN after all they are OUR future! Bravo to the BTW Football players I’m very proud of each and every one of you! You represented yourself well a job well done even in the midst of despair, deceit, and corruption you managed to shine! Remember to hold your head up and get your EDUCATION that is the key to success.

vger1970, tulsa (11/6/2009 12:19:58 AM)

Really tired of the arrogance of BTW people, constantly bragging about how great they are and how much better they are then everyone else!! Really, you people should read your own blogs it's digusting , even when caught cheating you can't stop bragging about yourselves. Come on even your academics are biased because you select which students can attend BTW. If other high schools only accepted certain students like BTW does instead of accepting everyone , thier academic stats would be the same. Same thing with the football program, BTW selects which athletes can attend from all over the area. BTW gets its funding from all of us taxpayers , just like all the other schools. All public schools should have the same programs, no favortism to any school. These Magnet schools are B.S. !! Why can't my sons have the same opportunities at our local high school? I don't think I should have to drive them across town , or we as taxpayers should have to pay to buss kids all over town .I pay property taxes just like the next guy. And as a taxpayer I say fire those dishonest TPS employees ( principal and coaches).

Disappointed, (11/6/2009 6:40:44 AM)

vger1970 - BTW only requires a 2.5 GPA for admission, C average, and that's not fair??? It is a Magnet school offering an IB program, programs MY child can't get at any other TPS school. SOoooooo, I should send my child to, lets say, Hale so she can be bored and not excel or learn anything????? Magnet programs are for those students that excel academically and are beyond what the normal programs teach, thats the plan anyway. Which brings me back to the 2.5 GPA - it should be at least at 3.0 to get into BTW (as is required for Carver) and there wouldn't be as many ineligible students. There would still be some, the IB program is Tough and a large persent of the students in TPS schools would fail if in the program - that's why it is only in the MAGNET programs!!

enligtenedone, (11/6/2009 7:36:50 AM)

BTW played ineligible players for their last game!! Come on -didn't you get the memo!!! ? What is Marshall doing with a state ring and who bought it? Bad enough that Johnson also had one which was probably bought by other funds than his own.
Woodson is an honorable man. BTW's loss of him is Memorial's gain.
When will those bigoted hypocrites ever see the light, huh Marshall and Fisher? Hopefully what goes around will come around to them.

jasheldon, (11/6/2009 8:18:49 AM)

Check Union, check Union!!!! I know of a player for a fact that was "recruited" by Union from Owasso during his freshman and sophmore seasons. They found his mother a job and an apartment in their district so he could play his junior and senior years for Union. Incidentally this same player moved on to a certain favorite college program of the region and now covers recievers and returns punts on tv every weekend.

MikieP, (11/6/2009 9:08:17 AM)

Check Owasso, Check Owasso!! Hey jasheldon, I think you should be careful who gets checked. You wouldn't want that powerhouse baseball team to be found out would you?

jasheldon, (11/6/2009 9:28:02 AM)

Um,yes I would. Fair is fair is fair. Check EVERYBODY.

DomoArrigato, Outside of Tulsa (11/6/2009 10:21:55 AM)

The OSSAA should require ALL schools to conduct their own investigations, reporting the results to the OSSAA Any sport found cheating, would be suspended for 1 year (Only the involved sport). Then the OSSAA should check EVERYONE, and anyone failing to self-report, to outright lying, should have ALL of their athletic programs suspended for one year. If the number of involved students if greater than 5, then suspend them for 2 years.

nunyerbisness, Tulsa (11/6/2009 12:10:33 PM)

Can someone enlighten me here? Is there a bonus check that gets paid out to coaches who win titles? Is it that they are hoping to become college coaches? Worst of all low self-esteem?

What's in it for the school? Ticket sales? Endorsements from Fred's Tire Brake and Muffler Emporium bringing in cash? Is there a bonus payed to schools for being champions?

The administration surely is a stakeholder here by not reporting or winking at coaches on player eligibility. I get a call from Memorial when my kid is absent. Why is a letter not sent to coaches, parents and the OSAA automatically when a player is ineligible?

I can only hope some frustrated teacher snitched on these idiots.

Corvetteguy, Tulsa (11/6/2009 12:11:45 PM)

bootstraps,

they blew the whistle, AFTER.... Jenks got a teet caught in the wringer.

DirtyWhiteHouse, (11/6/2009 2:50:51 PM)

is that stephanie spring going to be fired?

confederateU, (11/6/2009 3:12:18 PM)

blah blah blah, same tired story all across oklahoma. ossaa should have been on top of this stuff all along. as for principals - nothing principled about our 'mean and hateful' principal!

T.B'Ville, Bruins (11/6/2009 5:11:32 PM)

No, just tired of reading the same old reasons and excuses.
I think the population of Bartlesville is about 35 thousand and of those 35 thousand 34,999 know who the boy is.

Dr_Doom, Latveria (11/8/2009 4:20:30 PM)

Do not transfer Principal Johnson. FIRE Principal Johnson.

CABT, Tulsa (11/9/2009 12:02:47 PM)

T.Bville, but who are YOU to post my son's name on this forum. YOU are just as fake as the other 34,999 people in Bville. Smiling in his face and stabbing him in the back. Wonder why he doesn't want to attend school in Bville?? If there was something to hide or excuses to be made, trust me, you would not have been the "insider" that you think you are. Nor would the other 34,999 people in Bville. We have nothing to hide and no regrets to be made, with the exception of the one paper that was not on file that was beyond our control and ignited the football season to end for an extraordinary group of seniors. These seniors have taught my son work ethic, leadership, commitment and dedication that he will continue to follow and use throughout life. BTW has issues to be corrected and resolved, this is actively being done. Bville has issues to be corrected and resolved, nothing is being done.

T.B'Ville, Bruins (11/14/2009 8:59:23 PM)

It was an innocent comment, I meant no malice by it. Almost everyone here in town knew who the Freshman rider was. I did not know BTW had underground tunnels and secrete entrances to enter the school. I am not fake. If I did not like him I would not have given him all the rides to and from weight lifting, ect. He told several reliable people that his parents were the ones wanting him to go to BTW. As for your insider remark, I did not report him. I can not speak for anyone else in town, but I did not nor was I behind it. You may have yourself convinced that it was just the paper that was not signed, but it was him riding with the coach and being out of TPS district. There may be more with him, but those are the main two. I am sure the Seniors have taught him alot of things that will come in handy in life.
I wish you would have used the report comment option instead of the actions you have shown on here and through your son. Also, you know where I live, you could have come over and talked with me about it, but you want to someone from here for turning him in. My understanding is that a woman attorney from Miami overheard Jimmerson running his mouth and reported it. How true that is, I dont know and really dont care. Another commenter on here claims to have proof of it.
If I was a kid that thought everyone here in town was stabbing me in the back, I would have no contact with them. I would stick with those kids from BTW that have taught me so much about things I will use latter in life. Oh, thats right, you live here, not Tulsa.
If you have a problem with me, tell me to my face. Please dont have kids relay the message.

T.B'Ville, Bruins (11/14/2009 9:05:49 PM)

blame needs to be inserted in the second paragraph in the fifth line after to.