At this morning’s Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Board of Directors monthly meeting in Columbia, the board finalized its investigation into the alleged irregularities regarding the Vashon boys basketball program for the years 2001 and 2003 through 2006. The board voted unanimously to strip the school of state basketball titles it had won in 2001, 2004 and 2006 for the school’s use of players the state termed ineligible in its findings of the 18-month investigation completed with Wednesday’s ruling.
For the year 2001, Liberty will be recognized as the historical state champions; for 2004, Kearney will be recognized as champions; and for 2006, Springfield Kickapoo will be recognized as champions.
"There have been many aspects of this investigation that had to be looked at with great care and without a rush to judgment," said MSHSAA Board of Directors President Don Edwards, via a press release. "Our task was to determine what could be substantiated and corroborated with credible information while keeping the school involved throughout the process. The length of the investigation reflects the desire of the Association to be as thorough and fair as possible."
The board took further action by stripping Vashon of a Class 4, District 4 title it had won over Normandy and playoff wins over DeSmet, CBC and Eureka in 2001.
"I think this is well deserved and I really feel that Normandy has been vindicated and it will be good to see that title coming home," then-Normandy coach and current athletic director Malcolm Hill said. "We were number three in the state and they were number one. I had two Division I players and one Division II player on that team. It’s good to have that title come home to Normandy."
Other non-state titles stripped from Vashon were the Class 4 District 5 title forfeited to Cleveland NJROTC and a playoff win over Ladue Horton Watkins forfeited from 2003, the Class 4 District 5 title to Cleveland NJROTC and playoff wins over MICDS, St. Francis Borgia and Dexter in 2004 and Class 5 district titles to Beaumont in 2005 and 2006 as well as playoff wins over Howell Central, Hazelwood Central, Vianney, Rockhurst, Kickapoo and McCluer North during those two seasons.
"I think everyone involved in the process is glad to put this behind them and move forward," said MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, via a press release. "School officials and representatives of St. Louis Public Schools have been cooperative and forthright throughout this process, and have made it clear from the onset that the school has turned a page in its history and the current administration and staff are in full compliance with the rules of the Association. Member schools agree to abide by the rules they put in place, and everyone understands that there are consequences when violations occur."
The violations occurred under the tenure of Floyd Irons, who was removed as coach in 2006 after an audit showed money for the basketball program had been mishandled.
Wednesday’s hearing, which was heard in closed session due to discussion of personally-identifiable student information protected by Federal student privacy law, brought to a close the investigation of Vashon’s boy’s basketball program that began in November 2006.
