Cheaters never prosper, except in Seattle district

The words in Saturday’s Sports section were a better wakeup call than any espresso. Anger-triggered adrenalin will do that.

The girls basketball coaches at Chief Sealth may be losing their positions. Fine. The allegations of recruiting were verified. OK. The Seattle Public Schools won’t force the Seahawks to forfeit any games, and doesn’t think the WIAA should either.

What the …?

Then it got worse.

“Athletic eligibility rules tend to favor traditional over non-traditional family units; private over public schools; and suburban over urban school systems,” Seattle superintendent Raj Manhas was quoted as saying.

That’s when the temper boiled.

What universe was this guy in? Is he trying to appease the district’s patrons? Is he trying to shift blame – it’s not the coaches’ fault the rules are so biased against our district – or does he really believe what he was saying? Maybe he was misquoted?

The latter possibility was quickly invalidated Monday when I had a chance to read the district’s release about the sanctions – the statement is there word-for-word. The release also made it clear Manhas really believes the WIAA’s eligibility and recruiting rules are unfair to his district.

After giving thanks my kids never had to attend a school in a district run by this guy, I examined his statement closely. Was there any truth to it?

Trying to keep an open mind – OK, even I admit that’s not possible, but go with me on this one – I made a couple of phone calls.

Mick Miller is a former member of the WIAA’s Executive Board. He’s the superintendent of the Deer Park schools. He’s also a straight shooter.

Miller doesn’t really buy the private-public or suburban-urban claim, but he does understand one argument.

“When I read those comments, I was somewhat taken aback by them as well,” Miller said. “As I thought about it more – and understanding a little bit more about generational poverty – I do think that the traditional two-parent family and stability of middle-income families, the rules are really meant for those kinds of folks.”

In other words, it’s easier to actually move so your kid can be eligible if your family can afford the rent, instead of using a forged receipt.

But should Sealth have to forfeit?

“You bet,” Miller said. “They cheated. When you knowingly cheat, you have to forfeit.”

That seems like a no-brainer, unless of course you don’t have a brain.

Central Valley had to forfeit all of its 2004-05 basketball wins because an athletic official misread a tough-to-understand rule. Sorry, kids.

Chief Sealth’s coaches brought players they knew were ineligible into the program. It’s OK, kids – you can keep your wins.

What’s wrong with that picture?

It’s enough to make your coffee boil.