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Loachapoka's Tate fined undisclosed amount by AHSAANov 08, 2011 (Opelika-Auburn News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Loachapoka head coach Jerome Tate said the Alabama High School Athletic Association fined him for forfeiting a game against Lanett on Oct. 28. He did not give any specifics on the fine and said he would not comment further unless Loachapoka principal Jim Wilkerson released information on the fine. Wilkerson declined comment, referring an Opelika-Auburn News reporter to the AHSAA for the details of the fine. AHSAA Director of Communications Ron Ingram said in an email Tuesday that the organization does not discuss fines. He said what was written in a letter to Loachapoka serves as AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese's statement on the situation. "We only make public items that affect championship play -- involving forfeits that change standings, etc.," Ingram wrote in another email Tuesday. The AHSAA, Wilkerson and Tate all declined to give details on the fine, including how much it was worth. Rule III, Section 10 of the online AHSAA rulebook -- which pertains to a team's failure to complete a contest -- states, "A school that takes its team off the field or court during a regular season or tournament contest may not expect to collect its expenses or guarantees. Such an act will be considered flagrant, unsportsmanlike conduct. After a contest begins, each school waives all rights as far as objections to the officials are concerned." Tate's forfeit of Loachapoka's last regular-season game against Lanett came with 51.8 seconds before halftime, something he said he did to protect his players. Before the forfeit, two Indians players had already been ejected from the game. According to Rule II, Section 18 of the online AHSAA rulebook, a player's first ejection from a game results in a $300 fine, which can be reduced to $100 if the athlete takes the online STAR Behavioral Mode within 10 days of the date of the ejection. Tate was suspended by Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen Nowlin for Loachapoka's first-round playoff game against Brantley on Friday. The Indians lost, 41-0, ending their season. ___ (c)2011 the Opelika-Auburn News (Opelika, Ala.) Visit the Opelika-Auburn News (Opelika, Ala.) at www.oanow.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |