LVHS administrators covered up failing grade

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Oct. 30, 1998 | 12:22 p.m.

A Las Vegas High Spanish teacher told the Sun Thursday that school administrators knew a football player was academically ineligible as early as mid-September -- weeks before his failing grade was "self-reported," leading to the Wildcats' banishment from the Southern Zone football playoffs.

"They cheated. They broke the rules," said the teacher, who spoke under the condition her name not be used.

In was another eventful day on the LVHS campus. Later Thursday, the Wildcats players retained the services of an attorney in hopes of being re-admitted to the playoffs, which have been postponed until Monday.

But the teacher confirmed what independent sources told the Sun Wednesday -- that she turned in a form alerting the athletic department of the student's failing grade before the team's game against Valley Sept. 16.

"(The student) did not make an effort to get his grades up," she said. "He wanted it given to him."

On Sept. 23, the football player, along with a teammate who was failing the same class, transferred out of the teacher's class and into another Spanish section.

From that point, the athletic department never asked for, nor received, mandatory forms updating the student's progress. His grade remained a failing one for the remainder of the quarter.

On Wednesday, that chain of events led to the school's forfeiture of four football victories, eliminating the Wildcats from the playoffs.

The Las Vegas High teacher Thursday received what she termed "hate mail" in her school mailbox. The memorandum, which was not signed, accused her of being a "self-centered old lady" who "shredded the hearts of 54 athletes and their coaches."

The teacher responded to the letter with one of her own, placing copies of both in the mailbox of every Las Vegas High teacher and administrator.

In her response, the teacher denied that she was the one who contacted authorities, asserting that the player's coaches knowingly allowed him to participate despite his failing grade.

"Somebody assumed I turned them in," she said. "That's a blatant lie."

Las Vegas High athletic administrator Joe Gallia did not return phone calls. Principal Barry Gunderson was out of town with the school's volleyball team and could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, local attorney Donald H. Williams told the Sun he has been retained by a group of Las Vegas football players and their parents in an attempt to get the school back into the playoffs.

"At this point, I'm still in the fact-finding process about what exactly happened at the school," said Williams, a 1984 Las Vegas High graduate. "I've been advising the clients as to potential recourses we may be able to take."

According to Williams, those recourses may include a motion of a temporary restraining order to enjoin Monday's first-round games from taking place.

Courts are closed today in observance of Nevada Day, so Monday morning would be the earliest Williams could file such a motion.

"I think these kids were extremely unjustly dealt with," Williams said.

The following is the text of a letter a Las Vegas High teacher re-ceived in her mailbox Thursday and her reply to the school's faculty:

The "hate-mail:"

I hope that you are pleased with yourself. You have finally gotten your re-venge on Las Vegas High School. Being a self-centered old lady, I feel that you really do not know the extent of what you have done. You wanted re-venge against the administration and staff at Las Vegas High School, but in turn you shredded the hearts of 54 athletes and their coaches. These 54 athletes did not deserve the wraith (sic) that you brought down upon our school. It is a hard pill to swallow for these athletes. They are used to confronting their opponents on the playing field and not having to look behind their backs for their hidden enemy.

Look in the mirror, did you do the right thing? Can you honestly answer that question? What you did was like the act of a terrorist pursuing a hidden agenda and not caring whom you took down as long as you got your way. High school is to be a memorable experience and you will be remembered as the vindictive old lady who ruined it for 54 athletes. Via con diablo!

Her response:

Dear Staff,

This is a fine state of affairs for LVHS. This was placed in my mailbox between 6:45 a.m. today and third period.

1. Only a crass coward would write such a letter people with the courage of their convictions sign their mail.

2. All this over sports eligibility? It seems simple to me follow the rules.

3. I did NOT take this to the authorities. NOW, I wish I had! I would be proud to stand up and take the credit!

4. The athletes deserve an apology from their coaches who allowed the ineligible player to play. The coaches knew. They also deserve an apology from the ineligible student who played. He knew too.

I am proud of my age. I am proud of my courage. Too bad the writer of this letter does not have some of my wisdom and courage. Also, I passed Spanish and English. I wonder about the author of this poison pen missive.

Have a laugh LVHS has some truly NICE folks here. Too bad there are a few rotten apples to spoil the barrel.