Rose Hill is now firmly intrinched in the belly of the whale known as KHSAA rulings. The comittee, who had granted RHCA an extension to get facts and paper work in order, ruled today that this time out, RHCA was indeed guilty of recruiting violations and that they had mis-used funds as well as gave improper monetary gifts to student athletes.The Punishment? Three years hard labor for the tiny institution. Translation, Three years probation, 2 of which have the clause of no postseason play. While this is not the death penalty that some had rumored, or more appropriately, wished, for, it is a very large blow to the school's program.
Even some within the structure of RHCA had secretly hoped for this outcome. They feel this is the only way to course correct the school and get back to the original mission of providing a Baprtist education, not being a basketball powerhouse. While that may be all well and good, and a religious upbringing is, don't et me wrong, but alot of those sentiments could very well be sour. RHCA is not the same place it was in the 1980's and 90's. Not just anybody with a pair of sneakers and a pulse can field the team anymore. Those days were long gone. Those days might very well be on the verge of a comeback as well.
Rose Hill must now shoulder this burden. To paraphrase, this is their cross to bare. They have survived allegations and mass transfers and coaching staff changes before, but never have they had to do it with cuffs on. Rose Hill's Administrator says that steps have already been taken to assure no future wrong-doing would transpire. A compliance officer from the KHSAA will monitor all activities and document all going ons. But is going to matter? Will Rose Hill be able to bounce back from the sanctions? Will they want to?
As one question was answered, it splintered off to produce countless more. I would hate to see Rose HIll shrivel up and die. I wanted them to succeed. I still do. However, this may have been the swing to change the culture out at Rose Hill, and that new culture may not be one where the basketball program is given a second thought.
Rose Hill has survived similar hail storms before, and despite rumors that the school is going to shut down is absolutely moronic. The player who was the center point of this newest rounds of controversy, Michael Fuller, has long since graduated. The Coach who is partially to blame for all of this, has been at Greenup County for the last several years. All of the most recent transfers, after being initially ruled ineligble by the KHSAA, had the eligibilty re-instated and will play for other area teams. except two, only because they are currently playing in Ohio. Euton and Jackson are still currently being courted by several Mid-Major D-1 schools. Their Scott County Cardinals are ranked in the top 25 High School Basketball poll by ESPN U/RISE.
Rose Hill is at this very moment standing in the valley of darkness. And, as of today, there does not appear to be a lamp to light thy path.
Lexington- Today @ 8:45 am, judgement came, and it came swiftly. The often maligned and curious athletic practices of Rose Hill Christian Academy were on trial. They had been in this position before. They somehow always survived. Mayo, Dawson, Walker, Euton, Jackson...all scaped by with no punishment. This time however, God was not on Rose Hill's side. The KHSAA ruled today, that indeed the small, private Baptist school had in fact commited vioaltions and infractions, and that this time they were not going to overlook it. After the mass exodus earlier in the fall of 7 or so of the schools players, who were projected to run rampant over their region, signs indicated that this may have been different than previous times. The vaunted middle school feeder system was also depleted. Everyone was abandoning ship. This time, it appeared that their was big trouble on the way. Those appearances were correct.
Rose Hill is now firmly intrinched in the belly of the whale known as KHSAA rulings. The comittee, who had granted RHCA an extension to get facts and paper work in order, ruled today that this time out, RHCA was indeed guilty of recruiting violations and that they had mis-used funds as well as gave improper monetary gifts to student athletes.The Punishment? Three years hard labor for the tiny institution. Translation, Three years probation, 2 of which have the clause of no postseason play. While this is not the death penalty that some had rumored, or more appropriately, wished, for, it is a very large blow to the school's program.
Even some within the structure of RHCA had secretly hoped for this outcome. They feel this is the only way to course correct the school and get back to the original mission of providing a Baprtist education, not being a basketball powerhouse. While that may be all well and good, and a religious upbringing is, don't et me wrong, but alot of those sentiments could very well be sour. RHCA is not the same place it was in the 1980's and 90's. Not just anybody with a pair of sneakers and a pulse can field the team anymore. Those days were long gone. Those days might very well be on the verge of a comeback as well.
Rose Hill must now shoulder this burden. To paraphrase, this is their cross to bare. They have survived allegations and mass transfers and coaching staff changes before, but never have they had to do it with cuffs on. Rose Hill's Administrator says that steps have already been taken to assure no future wrong-doing would transpire. A compliance officer from the KHSAA will monitor all activities and document all going ons. But is going to matter? Will Rose Hill be able to bounce back from the sanctions? Will they want to?
As one question was answered, it splintered off to produce countless more. I would hate to see Rose HIll shrivel up and die. I wanted them to succeed. I still do. However, this may have been the swing to change the culture out at Rose Hill, and that new culture may not be one where the basketball program is given a second thought.
Rose Hill has survived similar hail storms before, and despite rumors that the school is going to shut down is absolutely moronic. The player who was the center point of this newest rounds of controversy, Michael Fuller, has long since graduated. The Coach who is partially to blame for all of this, has been at Greenup County for the last several years. All of the most recent transfers, after being initially ruled ineligble by the KHSAA, had the eligibilty re-instated and will play for other area teams. except two, only because they are currently playing in Ohio. Euton and Jackson are still currently being courted by several Mid-Major D-1 schools. Their Scott County Cardinals are ranked in the top 25 High School Basketball poll by ESPN U/RISE.
Rose Hill is at this very moment standing in the valley of darkness. And, as of today, there does not appear to be lamp to light thy path.
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