QUICK FACTS
- Report says Bellevue HS football program violated state rules for years
- Bellevue parents say report is biased and racially motivated
- Independent report examined five allegations, requested by school district in 2015
- Principal & Assistant Principal of Bellevue HS taking new positions in other schools, unknown if related to investigation
Bellevue High School’s football program violated state rules, falsifying addresses for athletes so they could play for their powerhouse program, according to an independent fact-finding report presented to the Bellevue School District.
The lengthy report was released to KIRO 7 Tuesday through a public disclosure request filed with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. Follow this link to read the Bellevue report.
Coaches also directed athletes to attend the Academic Institute, a small program at a Bellevue office park where boosters paid for athletes’ tuition, the report stated. It also states Bellevue coaches coordinated tuition payments for athletes.
The fact-finding report examined five specific allegations as requested by the Bellevue School District in August 2015.
The recent fact-finding concluded that there was not sufficient information to support the fifth allegation that athletes received subsidized housing to gain eligibility.
The report also details additional areas of concern that arose during the course of the fact-finding, according to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
Some Bellevue parents objected to the report, saying it was biased and racially motivated.
“To be clear, we believe that we did not violate any WIAA regulations,” a statement from the Bellevue Football Club, sent by public relations strategist Annie Alley, said Tuesday.
Mike Colbrese, WIAA executive director, acknowledged the Bellevue parent complaint, but said in an investigation document that the investigators have “impeccable reputations” and that the WIAA staff “have no doubt that they handled the interviews and investigation process professionally and respectfully without prejudice or racial bias.”
The recent independent investigation was requested by the Bellevue School District after the Seattle Times published several stories about the program in 2015, including one that found 17 Bellevue players attended the Academic Institute. Among those players, The Times reported, was Myles Jack, who is projected to be a top NFL draft pick later this month.
There have been questions about Bellevue violating WIAA rules for more than a decade, along with concerns that the WIAA was not doing enough to proactively address those allegations. However, high school coaches who had issues with the program and the WIAA enforcement rarely made those comments publicly.
Bellevue High lost 48-42 to Eastside Catholic in the Class 3A state championship last December. Prior to that, Bellevue won 11 state championships between 2002 and 2014.
In 2006, Seattle Times reporter Michael Ko revealed that head coach Butch Goncharoff was paid at least $55,000 by a school booster club. That was not a WIAA violation, but it was significantly higher than Goncharoff's $5,600 district stipend at the time.
Mike Baker and Josh Liebeskind, reporters for The Seattle Times, spearheaded the newspaper's investigation into the allegations against the Bellevue program. Read their coverage here.
On Friday, April 29, Scott Powers and Russell White, serving as Principal and Assistant Principal of Bellevue High School, respectively, announced upcoming moves.
Powers, Principal of Bellevue HS, accepted the position of Principal at Sammamish High School. White accepted the position as Principal at Chinook. It is unknown whether or not the staffing changes are related to the recent WIAA investigation.
<strong>Read their joint email below: </strong>
Dear BHS Staff, Students, and Community,
It has been my pleasure to serve as the Bellevue High School Principal for the last five years. Every year, I have the honor of shaking the hands of our graduating seniors and wishing them well as they move onto the next phase of their life. An opportunity to grow as a leader within the Bellevue School District has led me to accept the position as Principal of Sammamish High School. I am excited to pick up the work of outgoing Principal Tom Duenwald. The efforts of the school to implement technology, problem based learning, and a strong focus on STEM align with my background and prior experiences.
My move requires a replacement, and Dr. Vic Anderson, the Principal of Chinook, will be moving up with 8th grade class. His knowledge of the community and prior experience as a high school principal make him an excellent choice. To round out the moves, Russell White, who has been an Assistant Principal at Bellevue High School with me for my tenure, has accepted the Principal role at Chinook. Mr. White is excited about the opportunity to take his experiences in the district to lead a strong middle school. He will be replaced at Bellevue HS by Chinook Assistant Principal Mike Schiehser.
I am hopeful with these changes the Bellevue High School community will continue to remember “We are Bellevue” and will continue to flourish as an amazing place for students. Mr. White and I have appreciated the support we have received over the last five years and wish you all the best.
Respectfully,
Scott Powers & Russell White
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