Staff report and press release
news@wbcowqel.com
The Galion football team will be without head coach Chris Hawkins for the first two games of the 2015 season.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has placed the Galion High School Athletics Department on probation resulting in not only Hawkins’ two-game suspension, but also a $750 fine and the development and implementation of a plan of action to educate coaches on bylaws.
A football player in question in regards to the violations is also suspended from the first game of the season as well as all scrimmages and preseason contests.
The school district self-reported four violations to the OHSAA in June. Those violations are:
1. Bylaw 4-9-3 #6: “Providing athletic camp brochures that advertise athletic camps available to general population is permissible as long as no direct mailing to specific individuals is conducted.”
A Galion coach gave a brochure to a non-enrolled student’s father.
2. Bylaw 4-9-4 #1: “Using direct mailings or electronic communication to send information to a specific individual by name.”
A Galion coach sent a team text to players asking them to welcome a player who just moved to town. The player was specifically named before officially enrolling at Galion High School.
3. Bylaw 4-9-4 #6: “Providing favors or inducements, such as T-shirts or caps, to prospective student-athletes or their parents.”
A Galion coach allowed a non-enrolled player to borrow a football helmet to be used at a Football Camp.
Bylaw 4-9-6: “All questions relating to enrollment, attendance or athletic program shall be handled through the school administration or admissions office.”
A Galion coach did report initial contact by a parent in regards to enrollment, but a coach did not adequately handle additional phone calls and/or texts.
Hawkins denies he did anything improper and has indicated he plans to appeal his suspension. First year Galion Athletics Director Kyle Baughn said the district will fully comply with all requirements of the probation as outlined by the OHSAA.