State governing body reverses field on 1-year playoff penalty, instead issuing warning.
Two weeks after banning the Hamilton football team for recruiting violations, the Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Board rescinded the ban after an appeal from the school.
The Huskies open play Friday against Centennial and are expected to be a contender in 6A and for the Open Division title.
"It was just making sure we understand that all of their requests and
the corrective that they did list this time was more extensive," AIA
Executive Director David Hines said of reversing the playoff ban. "The board felt that was action
again by an individual, a coach, that the warning placed on the athletic
program is to make sure they do the things they're supposed to do. And
the kids aren't being punished for the actions of the coach."
The Hamilton football team, which was No. 3 in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25 state rankings, was put on a one-year probation and banned from this season's playoffs on Aug. 15. in response from complaints about Twitter messages sent in early July from defensive coordinator Tom Dougherty to a player from an opposing school who was named MVP at a lineman competition.
“We never want to be in a situation where we’re punishing athletes,” AIA Executive Board President Jim Dean said.
The school removed Dougherty from his coaching position for the entire season after initially suspending him for the first three games of the season.
"Very thankful of the AIA board and happy for our student-athletes," Hamilton athletic director Brett Palmer told the Arizona Republic.
"The board had a lengthy discussion, and the issue of recruiting is a big deal," Executive Director David Hines
told the Arizona Republic. "They felt like that was the appropriate action at this time."
The Huskies upended Bishop Gorman last season 25-24 in one of the wildest finishes in recent memory.
Hamilton went 11-1 last season and have been in the mix for an Arizona Open Division title since its 2019 inception. Last season, Hamilton fell 31-24 in the Open Division semifinals to eventual champion Saguaro. Two seasons ago, the Huskies fell to Chandler in the Open finals. Hamilton has won seven state titles.
