Alexandria City Public Schools

Home » News Releases » 2009-2010 » February 2, 2010

T.C. Williams 5-Year Athletes

Dear Parents, Colleagues and Community Leaders,

A disheartening situation regarding the T.C. Williams High School boys basketball team has recently been brought to my attention. On Monday, Feb. 1, T.C. Athletic Director Robert McKeag received a phone call from Lake Braddock Athletic Director Mark Martino alerting him to an anonymous call he had received about a senior on the boys basketball team who may be ineligible to play because he is in his fifth year playing high school sports. Virginia High School League (VHSL) regulations forbid public school athletes from playing more than four years. Rules for private schools are different.

When Mr. McKeag pulled the transcripts for the student, he discovered that this was true. He then checked the transcripts for all seniors on the team and found that one other student was also in his fifth year. Both students transferred to T.C. Williams High School from other schools in 2007 and 2008. Mr. McKeag (who began his career with ACPS in 2008, when the two students were already team members) immediately forfeited the team's 12 wins this season and notified the Virginia High School League. The team will continue to compete this season, with a 0-15 record and without the two students who are no longer team members.

We are taking the following steps:

  • T.C. Principal William Clendaniel has been directed to conduct a thorough investigation of all personnel and processes involved in the handling of the students' transcripts when they entered T.C. in 2007 and 2008. Results of the investigation will be submitted to me by this Friday.
  • The T.C. Athletic Department is checking to confirm that all other athletes are in full compliance.
  • School officials will review practices and procedures and make changes as appropriate. There will be a focus on improved communication between the counseling and athletic offices

I am very disappointed for our students and for the T.C. community. Whether this was caused by a lack of checks and balances at the school level or by human error, I am deeply disturbed that T.C.'s longstanding practices have resulted in hurting our students.

Sincerely,

Morton Sherman
Superintendent

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