The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating ten high school football programs for allegedly violating the organization’s edict of no high school athletic events on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, until June 8th.
The four New Orleans area schools under investigation are Holy Cross, John Curtis Christian School, St. Augustine and Edna Karr, according to multiple sources.
The LHSAA notified all four schools last Friday that an investigation will begin soon.
Sources say Edna Karr is the only school that has not responded to the LHSAA's notification of an investigation.
Brice Brown, Edna Karr Cougars’ head football, denied the school received a notice of an investigation.
A source with first hand knowledge of the situation at Holy Cross told me their school didn't cheat.
Despite video of players working out on the Holy Cross campus, he asserts they stayed within the guidelines of the LHSAA.
The source says the players who worked out on their campus were two professional football players, including Derrick Kelly of the New Orleans Saints and John Leglue of the Green Bay Packers. He says Tulane football players Joey Dublin and Joey Claybrook also worked out on the Holy Cross campus.
I spoke with Kelly this afternoon, and the Saints offensive tackle acknowledged the aforementioned group of guys worked out at Holy Cross three to four times a week and have been doing so for the last two months.
The LHSAA is investigating John Curtis Christian School for allegedly allowing one father organizing a workout for his son and three of his friends, who are football players.
The workout was allegedly on the Curtis "back field,” and the four players are believed to be in 9th, 7th and 6th grade; according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
John Curtis responded to the investigation notice last Friday, and has not heard back from the Association.
WWL Sports obtained a copy of the email sent by LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine to one school's administrator alerting them of the investigation.
The school requested a copy of the video, but the LHSAA only supplied the school with a screen shot.
We reached out to the LHSAA. Kate Adams of the LHSAA informed us that Executive Director Eddie Bonine is unavailable for comment.
For a little context here, the LHSAA has five investigators who have a very low burden of proof.
If schools are found in violation of the rules, they will be sanctioned by the association.
Sanctions could include probation, suspending the school from LHSAA membership or from participating in LHSAA sports for up to a year, and a $2,500 fine.
Also, the school would have to pay for any hearing or investigation, and the coaches would also face a suspension.