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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...-strout-resigns-folo-1023-20141022-story.html
MIRAMAR — Miramar receiver Jovon Durante has been playing this season though academically ineligible, former football coach Matt Strout alleged just hours after resigning late Tuesday night.
Miami Norland Athletic Director Ira Fluitt on Wednesday echoed Strout's claim, saying Durante was academically ineligible upon transferring from Norland to Miramar over the summer.
Durante, a dual-role standout who also excels as a returner, finished the spring semester at Norland with a 1.87 grade-point average, according to Fluitt.
The 6-foot-2, 162-pound senior verbally committed to West Virginia in July.
High school athletes across the state are required by the Florida High School Athletic Association to maintain a 2.0 GPA to be eligible to play sports.
Strout told the Sun Sentinel Durante's transcript from Norland reflected a sub-2.0 GPA and that the player told him he did not take summer classes in an attempt to change that. Strout said he first learned of Durante's sub-par GPA in late June, when he and Miramar Athletic Director Horatio Major met with both Durante and his father about the young man's interest in transferring to Miramar.
Strout said Miramar later "fixed" Durante's transcript to reflect a 2.027 GPA to make him eligible.
Multiple calls and texts to Major seeking comment went unreturned Wednesday.
According to FHSAA bylaws, schools can either self-report eligibility violations or face FHSAA investigation.
Michael Colby, the FHSAA's eligibility and compliance director, said Wednesday schools found to have violated eligibility rules face potential fines of up to $2,500 per player per game and forfeiture of wins.
Thanking Miramar and saying he wished the team well, Strout told the Sun Sentinel late Tuesday night he was stepping down for personal reasons. Strout later acknowledged Miramar principal Maria Formoso asked for his resignation.
Formoso did not respond Wednesday to multiple requests seeking comment regarding both Strout's resignation and allegations about Durante's eligibility. Also asked about possible FHSAA violations, Miramar's co-athletic director, Alex Francois, said, "No comment."
Miramar has named Patriots defensive coordinator A.J. Scott as interim coach.
Scott, who led practice Wednesday, declined to make Miramar players available afterward for questions. On inquiries of whether Miramar was fielding ineligible players, Francois also said, "No comment."
Ranked No. 1 in Class 8A to start the season and expecting to contend for a state title, Miramar (5-3) has since lost to American Heritage, St. Thomas Aquinas and, last week, Flanagan.
MIRAMAR — Miramar receiver Jovon Durante has been playing this season though academically ineligible, former football coach Matt Strout alleged just hours after resigning late Tuesday night.
Miami Norland Athletic Director Ira Fluitt on Wednesday echoed Strout's claim, saying Durante was academically ineligible upon transferring from Norland to Miramar over the summer.
Durante, a dual-role standout who also excels as a returner, finished the spring semester at Norland with a 1.87 grade-point average, according to Fluitt.
The 6-foot-2, 162-pound senior verbally committed to West Virginia in July.
High school athletes across the state are required by the Florida High School Athletic Association to maintain a 2.0 GPA to be eligible to play sports.
Strout told the Sun Sentinel Durante's transcript from Norland reflected a sub-2.0 GPA and that the player told him he did not take summer classes in an attempt to change that. Strout said he first learned of Durante's sub-par GPA in late June, when he and Miramar Athletic Director Horatio Major met with both Durante and his father about the young man's interest in transferring to Miramar.
Strout said Miramar later "fixed" Durante's transcript to reflect a 2.027 GPA to make him eligible.
Multiple calls and texts to Major seeking comment went unreturned Wednesday.
According to FHSAA bylaws, schools can either self-report eligibility violations or face FHSAA investigation.
Michael Colby, the FHSAA's eligibility and compliance director, said Wednesday schools found to have violated eligibility rules face potential fines of up to $2,500 per player per game and forfeiture of wins.
Thanking Miramar and saying he wished the team well, Strout told the Sun Sentinel late Tuesday night he was stepping down for personal reasons. Strout later acknowledged Miramar principal Maria Formoso asked for his resignation.
Formoso did not respond Wednesday to multiple requests seeking comment regarding both Strout's resignation and allegations about Durante's eligibility. Also asked about possible FHSAA violations, Miramar's co-athletic director, Alex Francois, said, "No comment."
Miramar has named Patriots defensive coordinator A.J. Scott as interim coach.
Scott, who led practice Wednesday, declined to make Miramar players available afterward for questions. On inquiries of whether Miramar was fielding ineligible players, Francois also said, "No comment."
Ranked No. 1 in Class 8A to start the season and expecting to contend for a state title, Miramar (5-3) has since lost to American Heritage, St. Thomas Aquinas and, last week, Flanagan.
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