INDIANAPOLIS — The Heritage Christian boys basketball program has officially been penalized by the IHSAA for past recruiting violations.
The Eagles basketball program must vacate its wins for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons due to recruiting and past link violations. They had an 23-24 record over those two seasons.
The penalties assessed at last Thursday's executive board meeting were:
- Vacating wins from 2021-22 and 2022-23
- 365 day probation
- Forfeiture of tournament revenue from past two seasons
Former head coach Warren Wallace left the program in the middle of the season last school year.
The rules broken were Rule 20-1 and Rule 20-2.
RULE 20 – UNDUE INFLUENCE
20-1 Recruitment Prohibited
The recruitment or attempted recruitment of a prospective student, through the use of undue influence, is prohibited. Undue influence is the act of encouraging or inducing a prospective student to attend a school for athletic purposes.
a. It is a violation of this rule for a prospective student to be unduly influenced, with or without the offer of a tangible benefit.
b. Any successful or unsuccessful attempt to recruit a prospective student through the use of undue influence will subject the school(s) benefited, or to be benefited, by the recruitment to sanctions to be determined by the Commissioner.
c. If, following any recruitment through the use of undue influence, a prospective student enrolls at a member school, the prospective student will be ineligible for athletics in accordance with the penalty described at Rule 19-4.
d. The offer or the acceptance of any of the following shall constitute prima facie evidence of undue influence:
(1.) money or other valuable consideration for the prospective student or the prospective student’s parent(s), guardian(s) or family,
(2.) Free or reduced tuition, room or board for the prospective student, provided, however that schools which charge tuition or which may make room and board available to students, may adjust tuition, room and/or board for children of faculty members provided there is no undue influence or under an objectively determined need-based financial aid program for tuition, room and/or board,
(3.) Pay for work that is not performed or that is in excess of the amount regularly paid for such service for the prospective student,
(4.) Free or reduced cost transportation for the prospective student,
(5.) A residence for the prospective student with a person connected with or who is a supporter of the school,
(6.) Any privilege, remuneration or inducement not afforded to non-athletes, or not uniformly available to all students, for the prospective student,
(7.) Free or reduced rent for the prospective student or the prospective student’s parent(s), guardian(s) or family,
(8.) Payment of moving expenses for or assistance with the moving for the prospective student or the prospective student’s parent(s), guardian(s) or family,
(9.) Employment for the prospective student or the prospective student’s parent, guardian or family members in order to entice a move to a certain community.
e. The penalties provided at rule 17-7.1, notwithstanding:
(1.) any violation of rule 20 by a student may result in severe sanctions which may include permanent ineligibility for the student
(2.) the submission of false information and/or withholding information may result in severe sanctions which may include permanent ineligibility for the student and Suspension from Membership by the school involved.
20-2 Past Link
a. A transfer student who has a Past Link with a Receiving School to which the student transfers shall be ineligible at that Receiving School for Three Hundred Sixty-Five (365) days following the student’s enrollment at the Receiving School.
b. A Past Link means that any of the following occurred:
