School District Releases Statement On Timber Creek Eligibility Investigation

Gloucester Township, NJ -- The Black Horse Pike Regional School District is not ignoring the community’s concerns regarding an investigation into the eligibility of several players on the Timber Creek Regional High School football program’s championship teams over the last six years, according to a letter posted on the district website by Superintendent Brian Repici.

“The Black Horse Pike Regional School District is very well aware of the residency concerns and taking the accusations promulgated by an anonymous group of concerned citizens very seriously,” Repici said in an Open Letter to the Community posted last week. “Since June, we have been fully cooperating with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and working with them to identify students that may not be properly residing in the District. We want to ensure that every student enjoying the benefits of receiving an education from our High Schools is legally residing within our District boundaries and entitled to an education in our District.”

Repici went on to say the district couldn’t comment further because the investigation is ongoing and due to student confidentiality.

“Be assured that the District is not ignoring the communities’ concerns and all issues will be addressed appropriately,” Repici concluded. “If you have any specific information that could help us address these matters, please contact Dr. Brian Repici, Superintendent, at 856-227-4106.”

An anonymous group has accused the program of including 11 players who live outside the district on its championship teams of 2011, 2012 and 2015. The investigation was first reported by the Courier Post.

The group hints that Timber Creek football coach Robert Hinson and others associated with the program helped players create fake addresses within the district.

The group alleges the violations gave the team an unfair athletic advantage and created a burden for taxpayers in Gloucester Township.

Hinson has denied any wrongdoing, and members of the community urged the district to publicly back the coach during last week’s Board of Education meeting, according to the Courier Post.

Hinson’s personal attorney, Troy Archie, also said families were being followed by detectives with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office as part of the investigation,and suggested some kind of meeting with the administration and whoever needs to be questioned, according to the report.