Marquel A. Brooks was denied a waiver to play basketball at Boca Ciega High School.
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 9, 2004
BARTOW - A Boca Ciega High School student who wants to play on the school's basketball team as a fifth-year senior lost his second bid Thursday to get a hardship waiver from the Florida High School Athletic Association.
An appeals panel of the FHSAA voted 4-0 to deny Marquel A. Brooks a special waiver that would allow him to play on the school's varsity team.
Brooks, 18, lost a year of eligibility when he was a sophomore after his mother's federally subsidized housing was condemned. Although he moved to a Boca Ciega enrollment district, Brooks enrolled at Gibbs High School.
When Pinellas school officials discovered the move, they disqualified Brooks from playing his sophomore year. He later transferred to Boca Ciega, where he starred as a junior and senior.
Brooks failed to graduate on time last year because he was a half-credit short and failed to pass the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT.
The appeals panel on Dec. 4 denied a waiver to allow Brooks to play basketball this year. But Brooks returned with additional information. Panel members said they still weren't convinced, noting Brooks had failed several classes and could have graduated on time.
"Our goal is to get you an education ... not to play basketball," said Roger Dearing, a panel member and schools superintendent from Manatee County.
Brooks also has filed suit against the association. A judge is expected to rule today on an injunction that would force the association to let Brooks play.
