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Michael and Marcus Madison will suit up for East Bay on Friday night.
By FRANK PASTOR
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 2001
TAMPA -- For the past four weeks, Chuck Madison watched East Bay's football games from the bleachers alongside his sons, Michael and Marcus.
Madison's sons won't sit with him for Friday's game at Riverview, and that's fine with him because they'll be on the field instead.
Bloomingdale principal Elizabeth Stelter signed waivers for the identical twins Wednesday, clearing the way for them to play for the Indians.
The Madisons needed their former principal's approval because they transferred from Bloomingdale three days after practice began, which made them ineligible under the Florida High School Activities Association's transfer rule unless a waiver was approved. East Bay coach Brian Thornton said Marcus, a 5-foot-11, 242-pound defensive tackle, and Michael, a 6-foot, 255-pound offensive lineman, will dress for Friday's game.
"It's like old times," Chuck Madison said. "I'm looking forward to it."
Madison said Stelter told him Tuesday night she would approve the waivers. They were faxed to East Bay on Wednesday morning.
Stelter could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Marcus Madison heard the news from his father.
"You'd think he'd just hit the Lotto," Chuck Madison said.
The Madisons left Bloomingdale three days into the school year, after the latest in a series of confrontations with other Bloomingdale students that date back more than eight months.
In August, East Bay applied to have the transfer rule waived. Stelter returned the waivers but didn't check a box signifying approval or disapproval, leaving the brothers in limbo.
After an appeal failed, the FHSAA board of directors sent the case back to the school district.
On Monday, FHSAA commissioner Bob Hughes asked Earl Lennard, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools, to work with both principals toward a resolution.
Lennard could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Chuck Madison served as president of the booster club, kept score for the basketball team and worked concession stands at Bloomingdale.
He said he was disappointed the matter wasn't resolved sooner.
"The last thing we expected was to be treated like this," he said.