February 1, 2017

Mrs. Cheri Langford, Principal

Trenton Middle/High School
1013 N Main St
Trenton, Florida 32693
Dear Mrs. Langford:

Subject: Trenton Middle/High School Self-Report Football

This office received the communication from Trenton Middle/High Schools Principal, Mrs. Cheri
Langford, self-reporting the recruiting violation.
Thank you for your Self-Report of this violation. The Florida High School Athletic Association appreciates
your efforts to make sure the student-athletes in our state all receive equal and fair opportunities.
The following information is organized as follows:
I. Background Summary / Findings of Fact
II. Pertinent Bylaws, Policies and Administrative Procedures
III. Violation(s)
IV. Corrective Action(s)
V. Sanctions
I. Background Summary / Findings of Fact
Based on the written communication received from your school and based on our conversation (if
applicable) we find the following facts to be controlling:
The FHSAA office received an allegation of a potential violation of Bylaw 6.3 and Policy 36.1.1 by a
representative of Trentons athletic interest. Included was a screen shot of text exchanged with the
representative of the schools athletic interest and student-athletes enrolled at Williston High School.
This information was forwarded to the administration at Trenton Middle/High School. The
administration investigated the allegation and verified a violation did occur.

This offices determination is based on the information that you have provided. If the stated facts are
materially incorrect please let me know immediately.

II. Pertinent Bylaws, Policies and Administrative Procedures

The above-stated facts, as you have given them, are controlled by the following Bylaws, Policies and
Administrative Procedures.
Bylaw 6.3 Recruitment of Students
Bylaw 6.3.1 General Principle states Recruitment or attempted recruitment of students for athletic
purposes is an act of unsportsmanlike conduct and is expressly forbidden.
Policy 36 Athletic Recruiting
Policy 36.1.1 Athletic Recruiting Forbidden states Athletic recruiting is a gross violation of the spirit
and philosophy of educational athletics. Athletic recruiting is unethical and unsporting conduct, and is
forbidden by FHSAA Bylaws (FHSAA Bylaw 6.3).
 Policy 36.1.2 Scope of Schools Responsibility states A schools responsibility for the conduct of its
interscholastic athletic program includes responsibility for:
Policy 36.1.2.1 The acts of any employee or athletic department staff member;
Policy 36.1.2.2 The acts of third parties, such as an independent person, business or organization, that is
a representative of the schools athletic interests when a member of the schools administration or athletic
department staff knows or should know that the person, business or organization is promoting the schools
interscholastic athletic program; and
Policy 36.1.2.3 The acts of any other third parties, such as an independent person, business or
organization, acting at the request, direction, or otherwise on behalf of any employee or representative of
the schools athletic interests.
Policy 36.1.2.4 The acts of any other third parties, such as an independent person, business or organization,
acting on behalf of any student athlete.
Policy 45 Monetary Penalties and Administrative Fees
Policy 45.1 - Monetary Penalty Schedule states, The following monetary penalties are generally
assessed member schools for the most common rules violations. This schedule is not all inclusive and does
require the Executive Director to determine monetary penalties for violations not specifically covered herein.
In all cases, these amounts are minimums and may be increased relative to the severity of the violation. The
following chart is for reference only, when a conflict in language occurs the policies or administrative
procedures will take precedence.

III. Violation(s)
1. Trenton Middle/High School is in violation of FHSAA Bylaw 6.3 and Policy 36.1.1.
2. Trenton Middle/High School allowed a representative of the schools athletic interest to recruit students
enrolled at another member school.

IV. Corrective Action(s)

1. All coaches of all sports at Trenton Middle/High School will be required to undergo a workshop
that specifically addresses the contents of FHSAA Bylaw 6.3 and Policies 36 and 37.
2. All student-athletes associated with the Trenton Middle/High School football program will
undergo a similar workshop that specifically addresses the contents of FHSAA Bylaw 6.3 and
Policies 36 and 37.
3. The student-athlete must write a letter of apology to the Williston High School Head Football
Coach.

V. Sanctions
In accordance with Florida High School Athletic Association Policies, Trenton Middle/High School is
assessed the following:
1. Trenton Middle/High School is fined in the amount of $2500. However, $2250 is held in abeyance
until June 1, 2019, provided no other violation of FHSAA Policy 36.1.1 occur. $250 is due and payable
to the FHSAA. Invoice to follow.

2. Trenton Middle/High School is placed on Administrative Probation. The schools athletic

department is placed on administrative probation until June 1, 2019. Additional violations during this
time will result in increased penalties which may include expulsion.

3. Trenton Middle/High Schools football program is reclassified to 4A. The football team will
participate in Class 4A for the 2017 18 and 2018 19 school years to complete the classification cycle.
Per enrollment numbers, Trenton would be considered a 3A football program if the school was not part
of the Rural Classification. Florida Statute 1006.20(2)(b)(1) and Policy 36.5.3.6 allows for such sanctions.
The decision by this office may be appealed to the Florida High School Athletic Association Sectional
Appeals Committee as directed under Bylaw(s) 10.4.6 and 10.6.4 Appeals of Executive Directors
Findings (pages 34 & 37 of the 2016-2017 FHSAA Handbook). 10.4.6 The principal of a member school or
his/her designee, or any other individual, who is found to be in violation of the rules of this Association by the
Executive Director, whether or not such finding results in the imposition of penalty, may appeal the finding of the
Executive Director if he/she takes issue with it, or may appeal the penalty imposed, if any, if he/she, while not
disagreeing with the finding, believes the penalty to be too severe. 10.6.4 To appeal the finding of the Executive
Director, the appeal must be filed so that it is received in the office of this Association within ten (10) business days
of the receipt of the Executive Directors finding and/or notification of the imposition of penalty. Failure to file an
appeal so that it is received in the office of this Association within the ten (10) business days allowed shall be deemed
a waiver of the right to appeal as granted herein.

Sincerely,

Craig Damon
Associate Executive Director
Eligibility and Compliance Services, FHSAA
Cc: Dr. Roger Dearing, Executive Director, FHSAA
Justin Harrison, Associate Executive Director for Athletic Services
Kyle Niblett, Public Relation Specialist
Frank Beasley, Sport Administrator for Football
FHSAA Finance Department
Rob Rankin, Gilchrist County Superintendent
Salley Martin, Trenton High School Athletic Director