Violations force Southern High to vacate some 2015 wins
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Durham Public Schools announced Thursday that because of an eligibility violation, Southern High School must forfeit its wins during the 2015 football season from Nov. 7 on, including the team's Big Eight conference title and its wins in the 3AA state championships.
During a routine health and safety audit, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association determined that one member of the team was playing with a physical examination that expired during the season. As a consequence, the NCHSAA voided the Spartans' wins since the physical became invalid.
"It is the responsibility of the school to maintain all player health records and to ensure all players have the proper medical paperwork to play during the entire season," said DPS Superintendent Bert L'Homme. "The Spartans accomplished great things on the field. No one can take that away from the players. But fair athletic competition means that every team must play by the same rules, and the physical exam requirement is there to protect our students."
The district is investigating the circumstances of this oversight.
