OHSAA denies Hawkins’ appeal

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Galion High School football coach Chris Hawkins will have to serve a suspension handed down by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) for violating bylaws related to the recruiting of players, as prescribed in OHSAA Bylaw 4-9.

The OHSAA released the following statement today (Friday) in regard to denying Hawkins’ appeal to have the suspension overturned:

“The OHSAA Board of Directors heard the appeal from administrators at Galion High School and its head football coach, Chris Hawkins, on Wednesday and reached a decision Thursday. The board voted to deny the appeal and uphold the penalties as they are currently prescribed, however the board also proposed that if Galion school administrators will invoke their own penalties and work with the OHSAA staff to implement an educational plan regarding OHSAA bylaws, there could potentially be a reduction of the penalties issued by the OHSAA.”

As a result of the Board of Directors’ decision, Hawkins will be suspended from participating in any and all coaching activity for the first two games of the 2015 season.

The athlete involved in the violations has been suspended from participation in all scrimmages and preseason games for the 2015 season. He has also been suspended from participation in the first regular season game of 2015.

The Galion High School athletic department has been placed on probation for a period of two years, effective until Aug. 1, 2017.

The Galion City School District has been fined $750 and will be required to submit an action plan to the OHSAA regarding the education of coaches about Bylaw 4-9. The action plan will be made public once the plan has been submitted to and approved by the OHSAA.

(Note: Check back for updates on this story.)

Hawkins
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2015/08/web1_Chris-Hawkins-Galion-FBH-2015.jpgHawkins
2-game suspension will be enforced

By Andrew Carter

[email protected]

Andrew Carter can be reached at 419-468-1117, ext. 2048. Connect with him on Twitter @ACGalionSports.

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