School receives record fine, playoff ban for ineligible players

           A Florida high school has been fined $57,000, following a lengthy investigation into widespread improprieties related to its wrestling and girls volleyball programs.  According to the Orlando Sentinel, the $57,000 fine that the Florida High School Athletic Association issued against Oviedo (Fla.) High is the largest single fine ever handed down to a Seminole County School District institution. The Oviedo wrestling program was banned from all district, regional and state competitions for three years while the school's volleyball team was put on probation.
           Some of those wrestlers also reportedly lived with assistant wrestling coaches to illicitly work around the state's residential restrictions. The entire Oviedo wrestling coaching staff was fired and head volleyball coach Chad Long was also dismissed from his position.  The school will not re-appoint athletic director Wes Allen or assistant athletic director John Howell, neither of whom were reportedly aware of any indiscretions on the part of either program before the investigation. According to the Sentinel, because of that lack of awareness, Allen is being allowed to continue in his position as Oviedo's head football coach.
           The violations on the part of the Oviedo wrestling coaches taint a powerful program which had built a stirring state legacy under head wrestling coach J.D. Robbins. Oviedo has won five team state titles since 2004, when Robbins took control of the program. Those titles include a four-peat from 2004-2007 and, more recently, another state title in 2010. The team also notably won an incredible 84 consecutive dual meets between 2004 and 2008.