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St. Petersburg Catholic loses FHSAA appeal

By KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 24, 2001

GAINESVILLE -- The Florida High School Activities Association denied an appeal by St. Petersburg Catholic on Sunday, leaving the high school's football program ineligible for the playoffs this season because of a recruiting violation.

SPC principal the Rev. Louis Molinelli said the school may take legal action against the FHSAA in an attempt to reverse the decision. He will meet with the Diocese of St. Petersburg, possibly today, to discuss SPC's options.

"I don't think I'm surprised by the decision, but I still believe we have told the truth," Molinelli said. "I stand by my coaches. I don't believe they did anything wrong."

The FHSAA board of directors voted unanimously to uphold a decision made by the association in August to place SPC on restrictive probation. Under the terms of its probation, SPC also must pay a $2,500 fine.

An FHSAA investigation determined that Dixie Hollins student Art Williams and Northeast student Josh Klessig were recruited by Shannon Brooks, a nonfaculty assistant coach at SPC. Dixie Hollins coach Mike Morey and Northeast coach Jerry Austin initiated the investigation after learning Brooks had contacted the players.

Neither student ended up at SPC.

Brooks, previously the players' coach in the Northeast Bandits recreation league, attended the appeal proceeding along with Molinelli, SPC coach Dan Mancuso, athletic director Joe Molloy and attorney Frederick Higham, who represented the school.

Brooks did not deny contacting the students, whom he called "close friends," but said it occurred several months before he had any association with SPC. Brooks added that, at the request of Klessig's mother, he received enrollment information from SPC.

Brooks said he accepted a coaching position with SPC on April 23. The FHSAA said SPC gave conflicting reports on when Brooks became associated with the school, first telling the association he was hired in March.

SPC is 2-1 this season.

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