Player's ineligibility slips by officials

Libby High School must forfeit two football victories after a student who played in them has been found academically ineligible.

The Montana High School Association handed down the penalty after the high school informed the organization that the student, whom school officials declined to identify, mistakenly enrolled himself as a freshman despite having taken high school level classes last year in another state.

He did not pass enough of those classes to be considered a sophomore and still considered himself a freshman.

The error highlights the school's policy of not checking 8th grade transcripts, which Assistant Principal Jim Germany called a "big oversight."

"The form asked for his grade. In his mind, he wasn't lying," Germany told The Western News Monday.

The issue was also complicated by the student's transcripts, which didn't get to the high school until three days after the school year began. The delay was caused by fines the student owed.

The high school notified the MSHA as soon as the error was discovered.

Germany has asked the MSHA board to review the case. He hopes it will rescind the decision.

In a written statement, Germany said, "We are hopeful that after hearing our arguments, and realizing that this was simply an unfortunate event that was unavoidable with our current enrollment practices, they will reverse the decision handed down. We feel strongly that the intent of the rule has not been violated."

The two forfeited football games took place on Aug. 27, when the freshman and sophomore team played Troy High School, and on Aug. 25 when the varsity team played Kellogg, Idaho.

The student played the entire game against Troy but only the last two offensive plays against Kellogg, a game that Libby won 53-20.

"We don't want to take a forfeit, especially on the varsity game. We didn't act negligently," Germany said.

"I feel we're punishing the team because of an administrative oversight."

Germany said he has revised the paperwork used for the school's enrollment practice.