Delaware team that features USC-commit and eighth-grade sensation David Sills, removes itself from postseason under pressure from DIAA.
Red Lion Christian Academy (Bear, Del.) announced Thursday it has voluntarily removed itself from Division II football playoff contention in a Self-Report submitted to the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Red Lion Christian, which has been under investigation by the DIAA, says in the report that it "did not sufficiently protect against appearances of impropriety."
Red Lion Christian Academy's David Sills.
Photo by Bill Berg
The center of the investigation reportedly was on the school's program that awards financial aid grants to Red Lion Christian students. It was previously reported in The News Journal that the majority of the scholarships had been awarded to football players.
Red Lion Christian has also placed its entire athletics program, along with head football coach Eric Day, on one year probation.
Led by eighth-grade quarterback David Sills, Red Lion Christian has won six of nine games in the 2010 season. It is ranked third in the state and scheduled to play Caravel on Friday.
Sills made national news when he verbally committed to USC coach Lane Kiffin last spring as a seventh-grader. He's thrown for 1,166 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games.
The following is a list of sanctions and concessions Red Lion
posted on its school website.
* Red Lion is voluntarily removing itself from the Delaware State football playoffs for the 2010 season. We believe this step makes clear our desire to address all outstanding concerns once and for all.
* Red Lion will pay fines for the self-reported extra games and other infractions including playing an extra game, exceeding the weekly team and individual contest limits and holding practices in excess of two hours on official school days.
* Red Lion will accept a one year probationary status from the DIAA during which it will work with the DIAA to assure the governing body and the community of RLCA's commitment to full athletic program compliance.
* Red Lion accepts the one year probationary status of head football coach Eric Day.
* FOCAS will comply with DIAA's interpretation of the rules. To the extent that FOCAS is an independent, not-for-profit organization subject to its own governance and leadership, RLCA is nevertheless committed to doing its part to ensure that all potential conflicts of interest between FOCAS and the RLCA athletic programs are addressed to the DIAA's satisfaction.
* Red Lion accepts responsibility for the ways in which oversight of our programs did not sufficiently protect against appearances of impropriety. RLCA has and will take immediate action to strengthen internal control and accountability and in full compliance with DIAA rules. RLCA's new Athletic Director, Mr. Ken Howard, will assure frequent contact and dialog with the DIAA regarding all matters relating to compliance including scheduling of sports programs, practice time guidelines, academic eligibility, and the like.
* Red Lion agrees to develop a corrective action plan regarding all the self report items as well as working with DIAA to assure compliance with student eligibility and program compliance with DIAA regulations
* Red Lion will be a co-sponsor of a special DIAA summit addressing rules interpretations and proposed rule changes covering matters discussed in this investigation including regulations governing coaching out of season, commercial camps and clinics and financial assistance.
Jon Buzby is the Delaware and Mid-Atlantic correspondent for MaxPreps.com
