CV reacts to concerns of recruiting

Concerns about potential baseball recruiting to Central Valley High have led school district officials to open all baseball coaching positions, varsity through freshmen, at the school this fall.

Jean Marczynski, executive director for learning and teaching, headed a district investigation, which included talking with parents, after the situation was brought forward by University activities coordinator Ken VanSickle.

“Our investigation leads us to believe that there have been violations,” Marczynski said. “Certainly we have enough evidence to believe there is an issue and we have to deal with it.”

Activities contracts are non-continuing and coaches are hired year-to-year. When the positions are posted, Marczynski said head coach Barry Poffenroth, his assistant John Seefried, junior varsity coach Jerod Crowley and freshman coach Ryan Butner are all eligible to apply along with anyone else who is interested.

Poffenroth, who completed his second year as head coach this spring, and Seefried declined to comment publicly about the situation.

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Rule 17.24 addresses recruiting, which it defines as efforts to induce students to enroll at a specific school because of special talent or skill.

“Students … under the jurisdiction of the (WIAA) should not be subjected to pressures to enroll in a member school outside of their normal enrollment area,” the handbook states. “These rules prohibit capitalization upon a school’s athletic program and/or a student’s athletic interest, potential or proficiency as a factor in determining school attendance.”

VanSickle said that five baseball players from two U-Hi attendance feeder middle schools were admitted into CV through the district’s choice policy.

“Anytime five in one sport leave (your school) it brings up a concern,” said VanSickle, “whether it was about our program or what the deal was.”

They had all played together on a district-wide select youth team.

This summer they were on a Central Valley American Legion A League team that last weekend forfeited its season, said Legion commissioner Dennis Thompson, because one of the players lives in Post Falls.

“Supposedly he was going to CV, but lacked a permanent address (in the district),” Thompson said. “We hated to do it because the rest of the kids did everything properly.”

The Central Valley District allows high school choice as long as there is an even flow between the two high schools. Marczynski said the students will be allowed to attend CV.

“We will not be penalizing the students,” she said.

But the district will take steps to prevent problems in the future, she said. Included will be working with middle and high school athletic directors to make coaches aware of WIAA rules and do everything possible to assure they are adhered to.

Coaches and volunteers will be required to sign statements that they understand the implications.

And student athletes, she said, will have to provide verification of residence as proof of their eligibility.

Last fall Central Valley was forced to forfeit its 2004-2005 boys basketball season due to a misunderstanding of the choice rule when a player was deemed ineligible who had come from outside the district.