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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Arthur’s team stripped

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Dallas South Oak Cliff High is forfeiting its 2005 state boys basketball championship after an independent investigation determined that grades for three players were improperly changed from failing to passing, Dallas ISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa said Friday.

Former Kansas University forward Darrell Arthur of the Memphis Grizzlies was a junior on that team and also one of the three players who, according to WFAA, had grades changed on the same day — Feb. 23, 2005, days before the state title game. The other two were Baylor’s Kevin Rogers and Eastfield College’s Kendrake Johnigan.

“It’s not a bright day for us, but nevertheless, it’s something that had to be done, and that is the truth, and that’s what we have dealt with,” Hinojosa told WFAA on Friday.

A WFAA investigation prompted DISD to call for an external review by the Houston law firm Feldman, Rogers. The firm found “a clear case of ineligibility,” attorney David Feldman told WFAA.

The Associated Press in Dallas indicated Arthur, Rogers and Johnigan “are not accused of wrongdoing.”

In addition, WFAA indicated that “though it has been determined that Arthur did not pass or complete at least one of his required classes, DISD will not pursue revocation of his high school diploma.”

Earlier it had been reported that Arthur’s college eligibility might be questioned had he not passed enough required courses to graduate.

“The only think I can say is Kansas, like all NCAA member schools, receives its information about eligibility of prospects through the NCAA Eligibility Center,” KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said. “After receiving Darrell Arthur’s transcripts from high school, the NCAA deemed him eligible to compete at any NCAA school. As in the case with any student-athlete, Darrell played at KU based on that information. Kansas bases its decisions on what the NCAA Eligibility Center says. To me, it is strictly a Dallas School District issue, not one that involves the University of Kansas.”

The 2005 state championship title will be awarded to San Antonio Sam Houston.

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Comments

whitechocolate (anonymous) says...

[crickets chirping]

February 21, 2009 at 8 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Brock (anonymous) says...

WFAA wins the Sweeps Week award. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

February 21, 2009 at 8:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

jayhwk5288 (anonymous) says...

whooooooooo cares

February 21, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mvjayhawk (anonymous) says...

thank God it's finally over and now we can move on. although, KU really has nothing to move on from....it's strictly a South Oak Cliff high school issue.

it's telling that the DISD will not pursue denying the kids their diplomas...that right there, and the fact that kids themselves didn't do anything wrong, gives KU real solid ground.

If Arthur had committed to Baylor, would the catcalls about this been doubly strong, since they would have had two players involved in this? i doubt it....it's only since Kansas won the championship has this been a big story.

February 21, 2009 at 9:25 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

railer1122 (anonymous) says...

Who cares? There was concern that if it indeed happened, that KU would have a chance of having the 08 championship stripped because of playing with a player who couldn't play College Basketball. I didn't think that would happen at all, but some people thought that.

February 21, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bigjay83 (anonymous) says...

"...playing with a player who couldn't play..."

railer1122, meet Thesaurus. Thesaurus, meet railer1122. Go ahead, get to know each other. I think you could make a great team......

February 21, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Hawkman_021 (anonymous) says...

when I read about this on other sites the way the misery and ksu fans are talking KU told them to change his grades so he could play college ball.

February 21, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

KoolKeithFreeze (anonymous) says...

I'm sure the team that is now rewarded the 2005 Championship is just dancing in the streets about it. This is all just silly. Sounds like personal vendettas...

February 21, 2009 at 1:23 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

FlaHawk (anonymous) says...

South Oak Cliff HS is in the absolute worst part of Big D. It produces athletes not scholars. Arthur did well for himself. No one would accuse him of being a book worm.

KU has given many players from SOP and they have stepped up to the collegiate challange!

February 21, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )