Sports
AHSAA Rescinds Sanction Against TCHS, Returns Win Over Bessemer City
The Wildcats will no longer have to forfeit its 55-33 win over Bessemer City earlier this month.
NORTHPORT, AL — The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board this week voted to clarify its Amateur Rule and ultimately rescinded a sanction against the Tuscaloosa County High School football program that forced the Wildcats to forfeit a win over Bessemer City earlier this season.
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The initial forfeit resulted from two players who were reportedly given gift cards to Buffalo Wild Wings for their performances. When word of the potential financial violation governing amateur sports in Alabama surfaced, the AHSAA forced TCHS to vacate the 55-33 win.
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“I want to thank the Central Board for clarifying the AHSAA Amateur Rule concerning the receipt of food-related gift cards by student-athletes,” AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs said in a statement. “This clarification clears up any confusion our schools might have relating to gift cards and the Amateur Rule moving forward.”
The Amateur Rule states that: "At no time may a student receive financial payments (cash, checks, gift cards, etc.) for athletic participation in school or non-school events."
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Now excluded from the rule are gift cards from food establishments or gift cards from any entity other than a food establishment if returned unused.
"I am very thankful to the AHSAA, Alvin Briggs, Dr. Keri Johnson, the TCHS administration, and our community for working through this situation," TCHS head coach Adam Winegarden told Patch. "The sport landscape is ever-changing and this experience was eye-opening for everyone in a lot of ways. Everyone loves kids and wants to do what is right for kids. I am glad that this ruling was clarified not only for us but for other schools in the future."
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