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Penalties Eased Against St. Petersburg Catholic

By LEE DIEKEMPER Tribune correspondent

Published: Jul 26, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - The Florida High School Athletic Association softened the penalties Wednesday levied on the St. Petersburg Catholic High football program, allowing the team to hold spring jamborees and a preseason classic.

In May 2006, the FHSAA penalized the school's football program with a $13,000 fine, a three-year postseason ban and a two-year ban on spring jamborees and preseason classics for three counts of recruiting and holding illegal football practices. The ruling by FHSAA commissioner John Stewart came after two previous appeals by the school were denied.

"I am grateful for this change in the decision," said SPC principal Father John Serio. "We tried to present on all levels as best we could, outline what we have done. I didn't necessarily believe [all penalties would be waived], but I am happy and grateful for the decision."

Serio said part of the FHSAA's decision to soften the penalties came after the school took several proactive measures to demonstrate that the school was serious about correcting any issues that existed with the football program.

Because FHSAA bylaws note that even casual conversations to potential students can be deemed "recruiting," faculty, staff and coaches of all sports took part in an orientation dealing with what can and cannot be discussed with potential students. Parents of current students also are scheduled to take part in a similar orientation before fall classes begin, Serio said.

Additionally, the school dealt with the subject in its monthly newsletter, explaining what was considered against FHSAA rules.

The school also contacted previous school administrators of incoming transfer students to confirm that the motive for a transfer is strictly for academic purposes. Parents of incoming transfer students are now required to sign an affidavit documenting that the student is attending classes solely for academic purposes.

Personnel changes may have also swayed the FHSAA. Football coach Dan Mancuso was replaced by Tod Creneti from Melbourne Central Catholic. And last week, USF associate athletic director and sports information director John Gerdes was named the school's new athletic director, replacing Ann Marie Mancuso, Dan Mancuso's wife.

Serio also invited FHSAA associate commissioner Sonny Hester to the school last week to monitor the changes made at the school.

BASEBALL: Robinson High graduate T.C. Capell has committed to play baseball for Florida College in Temple Terrace. Capell played second base for the Knights.

Capell's teammate at Robinson, Alex Barron, has committed to play at Southeastern University in Lakeland. Barron is a pitcher.

Also, King graduate Carl Hanson has agreed to play baseball for former major-leaguer and Chamberlain standout Coach Bobby Sprowl at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Hanson is a catcher.