FHSAA's Friday court hearing canceled

A Friday preliminary-injunction hearing in the gender-equity lawsuit against the Florida High School Athletic Association has been canceled, signaling a potential settlement.

The FHSAA's board of directors unanimously voted Wednesday to rescind an April decision to trim the schedules in all sanctioned team sports except football. That earlier decision spawned the lawsuit, which claimed it violated Title IX guidelines because football was exempted.

FHSAA executive director Roger Dearing was out of the office Thursday and not immediately available. Jacksonville-based law professor Nancy Hogshead-Makar, representing the plaintiffs, told the Times on Thursday all parties have agreed to a self-imposed deadline of July 31 to reach a settlement.

Hogshead-Makar, a swimming gold medalist at the 1984 Olympics, said her group is seeking a "declaratory judgment" that clearly would state Policy 6 (the initial FHSAA amendment to reduce schedules) violated federal gender-equity laws.

The reduced-schedule measure initially was a cost-cutting effort by the FHSAA amid the state's education budget crisis. Now that it has been rescinded, the onus of budget cuts in athletics falls more heavily on local school districts.

Hogshead-Makar warned individual districts that opt to cut contests on their own in some sports and not others could be in Title IX violation.

"We want the declaratory judgment so we can make that clear to the other school districts and schools so that we don't have to have 100 more lawsuits," Hogshead-Makar said.

When asked if she foresees further litigation at this point, Hogshead-Makar said the ball is in the FHSAA's court.

"It depends on the posture of the FHSAA; it completely depends on them," she said. "We're trying to settle the case. There's no compromise here."

Bright House announces second-half Game of the Week schedule

Bright House Sports Network announced the second half of their Tampa Bay high school football Game of the Week schedule tonight on their sports show "The Lineup."

Here's the schedule:

(All games at 7:30 p.m., All game replay Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.)
Oct. 9     Gulf @ Pasco
Oct. 15   Countryside @ Tarpon Springs
Oct. 16   Riverview @ East Bay
Oct. 22   Spoto @ Jefferson
Oct. 23  Osceola @ Lakeland
Oct. 30  Northeast @ St. Petersburg
Nov. 6    Lake Gibson @ Kathleen
Nov. 12  East Lake @ Nature Coast
Nov. 13  Tampa Catholic @ Jesuit

Click HERE for the first-half schedule that was announced Monday.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

FHSAA votes to rescind shortened-schedule plan

In a brief meeting high on attendance and passionate dialogue, the Florida High School Athletic Association's board of directors voted unanimously this afternoon to rescind a previous decision to trim contest schedules in all its sanctioned sports except football.

The 15-0 vote, held before a gallery of dozens at the FHSAA headquarters in north Gainesville, came in the wake of a lawsuit filed by a gender-equity group that argued the trimmed schedules violated federal Title IX guidelines, essentially because football was excluded.

Coincidentally, a hearing on the gender-equity group's motion for preliminary injunction against the FHSAA is set for Friday in a federal courtroom in Jacksonville. On Tuesday, the United States Department of Justice filed an amicus brief on behalf of the plaintiffs against the FHSAA.

The original FHSAA decision, intended to help alleviate the state's educational budget crunch, would've trimmed varsity schedules in all sports (except football and cheerleading) by 20 percent and reduced junior varsity schedules by 40 percent.

At today's meeting, FHSAA executive director Roger Dearing said the costs of going to court over the issue would've negated any money saved by the trimmed schedules.

"I'm a native Floridian," Dearing said. "There's an old saying that says the juice is not worth the squeeze."

That reaction itself concerned Title IX attorney Nancy Hogshead-Makar, an FHSAA Hall of Fame member and Olympic swimming gold medalist representing the plaintiffs. She said she hoped the issue would serve as a "teach-able moment" to FHSAA officials, but seemed uncertain if it was.

"I'm very happy that it was a unanimous decision," said Hogshead-Makar, who briefly addressed the board before the vote. "On the other hand it does worry me in the fact that the (FHSAA) doesn't recognize how this is a violation of law."

"Nobody said, 'Oh we're sorry,' or 'We see the light now,' or 'This was a violation of gender equity.' The only thing that has made a difference for them is a lawsuit."

Addressing reporters afterward, Dearing said the FHSAA's intention all along was not to discriminate, but simply assist the state with the financial crisis, and devise a uniform cost-cutting solution so no sport would be eliminated.

With the abolition of the trimmed schedules, the onus of budget cutting now rests upon individual school districts. Hillsborough County assistant athletic director Jennifer Burchill said future athletic budget cuts in Hillsborough will rest with the superintendent.

Could losing sports be a possibility?

"I think you always have that in the back of your mind based upon what goes on with the economy and what goes on with our funding," said Burchill, who attended the meeting. "Every aspect of the economy is feeling pinches and the question is just going to be where is that pinch going to come from?"

Ex-Ram Byronell Arline arrested...again

The dismal saga of former Ridgewood High all-state running back Byronell Arline continued early Tuesday morning with his arrest for failing to appear in court on a previous marijuana-possession charge.

Arline, 19, was arrested at 5:01 a.m. Tuesday and booked into the Land O'Lakes jail. Bond was set at $1,206, according to a Pasco County Sheriff's Office charge report.

In the last year, Arline, whose Pasco County-record 5,279 career rushing yards still stands, has been arrested on charges of strong-arm robbery and crack-cocaine possession in addition to the marijuna charge.

A 2008 Ridgewood graduate, Arline didn't possess the grades to earn a Division I scholarship out of high school. He was accepted to a junior college in Kansas last summer, but returned home after one week.

JOEY KNIGHT

Plant-Armwood highlights Bright House's first-half Game of the Week lineup

They are the only two football programs to bring state championships home to the bay area this decade and their paths to the Class 4A crown annually crossed in the region final. Plant and Armwood are now in different classifications, but the game has become Hillsborough County's best rivalry.

This season's Plant-Armwood game, which will be played Friday, Oct. 2 at Armwood's Lyle Flagg Field, headlines the Bright House first-half Game of the Week broadcast schedule, which was released this evening on "The Lineup."

Also included on the Bright House slate is Plant's Sept. 11 game at Hillsborough and Armwood's home game against Tampa Bay Tech on Thurs., Sept. 17. The Bright House regular season slate kicks off on Thurs., Sept. 3 with Dunedin at Largo. Bright House will also broadcast Clearwater Central Catholic's home game against Berkeley Prep on Fri., Sept. 25.

Here is the rest of Bright House's first-half Game of the Week lineup. The second half will be released on Wednesday on "The Lineup" at 6 p.m. on Bright House.

All games are at 7:30 p.m.

Fri, Aug 28: Davenport Ridge Community at Winter Haven (preseason)
Thu, Sept 3: Dunedin at Largo
Fri, Sept 4: Palmetto at Bradenton Southeast 
Fri, Sept 11: Plant at Hillsborough 
Thu, Sept 17: Tampa Bay Tech at Armwood 
Fri, Sept 18: Bradenton Southeast at Bradenton Manatee 
Fri, Sept 25: Berkeley Prep at Clearwater Central Catholic
Fri, Oct 2:  Plant at Armwood

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Photo: Plant linebacker Mike Mirabella (right, tackling former Armwood running back Tavari Grant) and his Panthers teammates face Armwood on Oct. 2 in a game that will be broadcast on Bright House Sports Network/Times photo.

Veteran assistant Tom Carter to remain on Land O'Lakes staff

It appears Land O'Lakes' 2009 football coaching staff will have a few holdovers from the John Benedetto era, including the man hand-picked by Benedetto to succeed him.

Veteran Gators assistant and LOL alumnus Tom Carter, bypassed for the head coaching job that ultimately went to Matt Kitchie, said Monday morning he intends to work on Kitchie's staff for at least one year. Carter will coach the offensive and defensive lines.

Carter's announcement comes less than a week after Al Claggett, the only defensive coordinator in school history, confirmed he won't return to the Gators sideline. Neither Benedetto nor Claggett had their teaching contracts extended for a 39th year.

"It was the right thing to do for the kids, I think," said Carter, a teacher in the specific learning disability program at Land O'Lakes.

Carter, who has applied for several county head coaching positions in recent years, said he'll continue pursuing the dream of running his own program. He'll be re-joined on the sideline by veteran Benedetto assistants Bill Gebauer and Rock Ridgeway.

Kitchie said Gebauer will coach receivers, while Ridgeway will oversee linebackers and serve as the team's academic coordinator, helping spearhead an after-school study hall for players in academic trouble.

Kitchie calls it the "Win" program. "We're going to win, and it's not talking about anything on the field, but win in the classroom," Kitchie said. "The reality is, these kids are going to go pro in a lot more than sports."

JOEY KNIGHT

 

Rivals.com: Orr's stock on the rise

Not that long ago, few outside the area knew who Gulf TE/DL Leon Orr was.

Then he committed to Florida.

And well, that changed everything.

Today, Rivals.com, the well-known recruiting site, ranks the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Orr as the country's 21st-best defensive tackle prospect and gives him four out of a possible five stars.

Last week, the site released a list of players whose stock is on the rise. Not surprisingly, Orr's name was on it.

Of the Pasco County standout, Rivals.com wrote: "Orr showcased his athletic ability and skills in his intra-squad spring game, where he played tight end and outside linebacker at 6-6 and 310 pounds. He has amazing athleticism, speed, quickness and agility for a player his size. He is physically similar to Glenn 'Big Baby' Davis of the Boston Celtics at the same stage. Orr is easily one of the best 'big' athletes in the nation."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Football: Angel Rodriguez charged with two felony counts of burglary

Angel Rodriguez, once the starting quarterback at Tampa Bay Tech and Wiregrass Ranch, was arrested Thursday and charged with separate felony counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling. He was released a few hours later.

Authorities say Rodriguez, a juvenile at the time, attempted the burglaries just days before his 18th birthday within blocks of his home at 28950 Long Meadow Loop in Wesley Chapel.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Rodriguez rang the doorbell then entered the home at 28331 Tall Grass Dr. in Wesley Chapel through a bedroom window. The female victim was home, but did not answer the door. She told police she witnessed Rodriguez steal a computer valued at $2,600. Police said they recovered a finger print from inside the window that matched Rodriguez, who denied entering the home, but admitted to taking the computer.

In the second attempt, Rodriguez again rang the doorbell this time at 31349 Philmar Ln. in Wesley Chapel. He gained entry through a bedroom window when no one answered. Once halfway through the window, the victim yelled causing Rodriguez to flee, according to police. Rodriguez later admitted to ringing the doorbell and opening the window, but denied entry.

The attempts occurred June 14 and June 24, the first just blocks from his home. Rodriguez turned 18 on June 27.

Rodriguez was a Times' All-Hillsborough County honorable mention selection last season. He amassed more than 1,300 total yards and accounted for 18 touchdowns. He signed a letter of intent in April to play football at Cheyney University in Pennsylvania.

"He was the best quarterback I ever coach," former Wiregrass coach Ricky Thomas said. "This is shocking to me."

-- IZZY GOULD
izzygould@gmail.com

Greg David named Bishop McLaughlin boys hoops coach

Bishop McLaughlin has a new boys basketball coach and, perhaps, some stability in the program.

Greg David, previously coach at Notre Dame Catholic School in Spring Hill, has been hired to lead the Hurricanes, becoming the team's third coach since the start of the calendar year.

Veteran Greg O'Connell abruptly walked off the job in January after a highly publicized encounter with some disgruntled parents. New York Mets baseball scout and retired coach Les Parker replaced him on an interim basis.

"Coach David is committed to growing our program and building strong young men of faith through their experiences on and off the basketball court," Bishop McLaughlin athletic director Eddie Kenny said in a school release.

David led Notre Dame, a program not affiliated with the Florida High School Athletic Association, to first place in its division last season. A former semi-pro player in Puerto Rico, he also coached the boys' youth basketball program at the Children's Aid Society in New York before arriving in Florida.

According to the school release, David's collegiate career "included time at the well-respected Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where he also earned his degree."

Football: Former Armwood star Justin Cabbagestalk faces felony charge

Former Armwood star Justin Cabbagestalk was arrested Tuesday night and charged with a felony count of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief. He was released on a bond early Wednesday morning.

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter, Cabbagestalk, 18, and three juveniles entered a home Tuesday night on Parkcrest Drive in Tampa at about 7 p.m. They gained entry through an unlocked screen porch door, then broke a kitchen window to enter the home. They exited through the front door and were observed by a witness, who called police.

"It appears as though nothing was taken," Carter said.

Cabbagestalk, a 6-foot-4, 275 pound lineman, signed a letter of intent in February to play football at Vanderbilt this fall. He becomes the second of Armwood's nine signees to face burglary charges.

In April, former teammate Angelo Hadley was charged with third-degree grand theft, grand theft of a firearm and armed burglary of a dwelling with firearm possession, all third-degree felonies. Soon afterward his scholarship to North Carolina was pulled.

Hadley has entered a plea of not guilty with his next hearing scheduled for September.

"(Vanderbilt) coach (Bobby) Johnson and the staff have been notified of the case and will withhold official comment until more facts are known," Vanderbilt spokesman Larry Leathers said Wednesday morning.

-- IZZY GOULD and JOEY KNIGHT