SEATTLE — The Roosevelt High School football team quickly rose in the rankings in 2024, advancing all the way to the Class 3A state tournament semifinals. The KING 5 Investigators have received tips about potential recruiting violations of transfer students on the football team since last fall.
Initially, the school conducted its own investigation into those allegations, and found no rule violations.
However, an investigation by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) has uncovered violations connected to illegal recruiting, student eligibility, and compliance with the rules, according to a document obtained by KING 5. This came after the WIAA approved a 'fact finder' in October to investigate allegations by other schools.
No recruiting is allowed in high school sports, but the KING 5 investigators found the WIAA identified at least 12 students recruited by Roosevelt to play football. Those students were given special privileges and promised things that other students don't have access to.
The WIAA issued suspensions and/or fines for multiple parties, including the school, administrators and coaches, the school district and individual players based on those findings.
The findings from the WIAA included violations of four different rules in the organization's handbook, including rule 27.0.0, which reads in part, "Recruiting of students or attempted recruiting of students for athletic purposes is prohibited, regardless of their residence."
The WIAA issued level-three violations totaling $17,500 to Roosevelt High School and the Seattle Public Schools Athletic Office. Head coach Sam Adams, a former Seahawks player, has been suspended from coaching for a year and fined $2,500. Two other football coaches, Roosevelt High School Principal Tami Brewer and Athletic Director Danny Thompson have also been fined.
For the Roughriders' football program, the WIAA said all 2023 and 2024 games where 'ineligible students participated' could 'result in vacating league, district, or State trophies/placings.' There is also a 'one-year ban on postseason competition' for the football program.
"In response to willful and blatant violations of the WIAA Handbook, the WIAA Executive Board imposed penalties on Roosevelt High School, Seattle Public Schools, and the Metro League in Sunday's Executive Board meeting," said Sean Bessette with the WIAA.
Seattle Public Schools told KING 5 in an email, "The district takes these findings seriously and is committed to upholding the integrity of our athletic programs. SPS has already strengthened its student residency and school assignment verification processes, and is reviewing the WIAA’s report to determine next steps."
Seattle Public Schools, the district overseeing Roosevelt, told KING 5 in October that the school conducted its own internal investigation into the allegations, which was "reviewed and approved by the Metro League," and found no rule violations. The Metro League is made up of 18 high schools, most of which are within Seattle city limits.
"After review of the action taken by the Metro League, WIAA District 2, and the District Directors regarding the alleged violations, the WIAA Executive Board agreed that there isn’t enough information available through previous reviews of action to determine if the alleged violations are true or false," the WIAA stated in October.
In an email to parents, Bev Redmond with Seattle Public Schools said the WIAA began investigating recruiting violations earlier in the school year and "appointed a factfinder to investigate these concerns."
Redmond went on to say in the email, "Seattle Public Schools is dedicated to change, increasing accountability, and thoroughly examining our system of eligibility compliance for athletes. We have already updated our process for verifying student residency and school assignment upon enrollment, which impacts athletic eligibility."
A parent with a child at Roosevelt High School told KING 5 that it is really sad because, "local kids in the district weren't able to play football and now our team won't be playing for a long time."
Coach Adams told KING 5 he is "currently unavailable for comment."