Lawyer up

[HuffyLegend]

Been around athletic's long enough to know that penalties don't always stick for schools with rich pockets. And it looks like the First Academy, which has as deep of pockets has anybody in Florida, is finding out that they will be allowed to be in the playoffs this season. 

 

 

 

One of their lawyers made a valid point that there is inconsistency in the way the fhsaa handles violations across the state. Nobody would argue that with them. The state organization is comical in their failure to do much of anything that is logical or consistent. 

 

 

However, the First Academy absolutely blew past many of the norms, policies and rules that many schools do their best to follow. The old adage /excuse that everybody is doing it is not a defense. (Especially for a school that is run by a church. And on another note, I have personally witnessed interventions on behalf of their track and field athletes, that screamed of impropriety and the influence of money.)

So regardless of what happens with other schools, in inconsistencies, to lawyer up and get to play is not a great lesson for kids or the community. Community. But such is life coaching in Florida. 

I'll be curious to see what other people think about this. But sadly it's not the first time.

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

1 hour ago, HuffyLegend said:

Been around athletic's long enough to know that penalties don't always stick for schools with rich pockets. And it looks like the First Academy, which has as deep of pockets has anybody in Florida, is finding out that they will be allowed to be in the playoffs this season. 

 

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One of their lawyers made a valid point that there is inconsistency in the way the fhsaa handles violations across the state. Nobody would argue that with them. The state organization is comical in their failure to do much of anything that is logical or consistent. 

 

 

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However, the First Academy absolutely blew past many of the norms, policies and rules that many schools do their best to follow. The old adage /excuse that everybody is doing it is not a defense. (Especially for a school that is run by a church. And on another note, I have personally witnessed interventions on behalf of their track and field athletes, that screamed of impropriety and the influence of money.)

So regardless of what happens with other schools, in inconsistencies, to lawyer up and get to play is not a great lesson for kids or the community. Community. But such is life coaching in Florida. 

I'll be curious to see what other people think about this. But sadly it's not the first time.

Are they in 1A?

[Ray Icaza]

2 hours ago, HuffyLegend said:

Been around athletic's long enough to know that penalties don't always stick for schools with rich pockets. And it looks like the First Academy, which has as deep of pockets has anybody in Florida, is finding out that they will be allowed to be in the playoffs this season. 

 

 

 

One of their lawyers made a valid point that there is inconsistency in the way the fhsaa handles violations across the state. Nobody would argue that with them. The state organization is comical in their failure to do much of anything that is logical or consistent. 

 

 

 

However, the First Academy absolutely blew past many of the norms, policies and rules that many schools do their best to follow. The old adage /excuse that everybody is doing it is not a defense. (Especially for a school that is run by a church. And on another note, I have personally witnessed interventions on behalf of their track and field athletes, that screamed of impropriety and the influence of money.)

So regardless of what happens with other schools, in inconsistencies, to lawyer up and get to play is not a great lesson for kids or the community. Community. But such is life coaching in Florida. 

I'll be curious to see what other people think about this. But sadly it's not the first time.

Agree with you 100% and felt that FHSAA would cave to the pressure.  It is an absolute terrible message to send to kids about right and wrong on so many levels, particularly from a private school that cloaks itself in Christianity.  SAD!!!

[Dr. D]

Among the qualities that TFA touts is "A commitment to character development and service to others."  So when you get caught doing something wrong, do you admit to your mistake and accept the punishment?  No, you call the lawyers!

I am not a lawyer (thankfully), so maybe TFA has a legal loophole to wiggle through.  But that doesn't make it right.  What a lesson in "character development."

[Ray Icaza]

4 minutes ago, Dr. D said:

Among the qualities that TFA touts is "A commitment to character development and service to others."  So when you get caught doing something wrong, do you admit to your mistake and accept the punishment?  No, you call the lawyers!

I am not a lawyer (thankfully), so maybe TFA has a legal loophole to wiggle through.  But that doesn't make it right.  What a lesson in "character development."

Their wrongdoing is not in question in my eyes due to the fact they took 2 of our starters last year that now currently start for them.   They attempted desperately to take more including our 2 D1 LB's as confessed by their fathers.  Fortunately, it didn't cave our program though those players were missed but what they did to other programs devastated them.  I know other schools delve in this behavior and more need to be made examples of which would remove the defense the lawyers are making to lift the ban.  

[Beek]

I have the answer if  i was king of the fhsaa.  Yes you are now playoff eligible due to your injunction.  So first let’s look at district play,  you didn't play any district games. So you finish last in your district.  So you can play in the fit.  But I’m not in charge. 

[Perspective]

Interestingly, First Academy is in Class 1A and in Region 2.   As best I can tell, the FHSAA website now has all the brackets filled out for the football playoffs . . . except Quadrant 2 in Class 1A.  Hmmmm.   

 

Also, I can't read parts of the initial post because of the ads blocking the text.  But, does anyone know if the FHSAA is the one who caved on this or did First Academy take the FHSAA to court and get an injunction allowing FA to participate in the playoffs?    If the latter, this matter may not be over quite yet.  

[Nulli Secundus]

1 hour ago, Perspective said:

Interestingly, First Academy is in Class 1A and in Region 2.   As best I can tell, the FHSAA website now has all the brackets filled out for the football playoffs . . . except Quadrant 2 in Class 1A.  Hmmmm.   

 

Also, I can't read parts of the initial post because of the ads blocking the text.  But, does anyone know if the FHSAA is the one who caved on this or did First Academy take the FHSAA to court and get an injunction allowing FA to participate in the playoffs?    If the latter, this matter may not be over quite yet.  

Here's a snippet from the News-Journal: https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/11/06/first-academy-fhsaa-football-playoffs-postseason-ban-judge-orlando/87104708007/

The FHSAA confirmed to the USA TODAY Florida Network on Oct. 24 that it received the letter and had sent it to its legal counsel. Leonard Ireland Jr., the FHSAA's general counsel, responded on Oct. 28, saying that Damon is unable to alter or amend The First Academy's sanctions.

"The issues you raise regarding The First Academy Football Program were decided on appeal by the FHSAA Board of Directors," Ireland wrote. "According to the FHSAA Bylaws that decision is final."

 

[Nulli Secundus]

1 hour ago, Beek said:

I have the answer if  i was king of the fhsaa.  Yes you are now playoff eligible due to your injunction.  So first let’s look at district play,  you didn't play any district games. So you finish last in your district.  So you can play in the fit.  But I’m not in charge. 

Pretty much!  

[KeemD321]

1 hour ago, Perspective said:

Interestingly, First Academy is in Class 1A and in Region 2.   As best I can tell, the FHSAA website now has all the brackets filled out for the football playoffs . . . except Quadrant 2 in Class 1A.  Hmmmm.   

 

Also, I can't read parts of the initial post because of the ads blocking the text.  But, does anyone know if the FHSAA is the one who caved on this or did First Academy take the FHSAA to court and get an injunction allowing FA to participate in the playoffs?    If the latter, this matter may not be over quite yet.  

Apparently decision will be ruled/made Monday afternoon. First Academy/ parents of the players lawyered up and sued FHSAA. Judge reversed the decision. Seems like FHSAA putting up a lil fight. We'll find out what will happen Monday. So region 2 will have less time to prepare for their matchups in a sense but not really

[nolebull813]

Wow imagine being the team that gets left out because these crooks had enough money to buy their way into the playoffs 

[Perspective]

So, a couple of thoughts.  

Getting a temporary injunction is not necessarily the hardest thing in the world to do because, typically, the party seeking the relief goes into court ex parte (meaning that the other party usually isn't even there).  They get to make thier argument and if they meet the requirements, the court will grant the temporary injunction and then set a hearing to determine whether the relief sought is appropriate.  At this second hearing, the 'other party' is present and has the opportunity to argue their position.  From the judge's standpoint, if you grant the motion for temporary injunction, that allows the process to play out.  If you deny the initial motion, the case is over.   Many times, a court will grant the initial motion simply to give both parties the opportunity to be heard.  My guess is that this is what the judge just did.  

From the article, it appears that the FHSAA has filed a response, including a motion challenging virtually every aspect of the plaintiff's case, including venue (i.e., where the case should be heard . . . I'm pretty sure that FHSAA rules require any litigation to be filed in Alachua County).   

I find the timing to be very interesting.   If what I read is accurate, the FHSAA made their decision almost a year ago.  Certainly, anyone with a right to challenge that decision could have done so long before now.  It's almost like First Academy and their lawyers intentionally waited until the last minute to file their lawsuit/motion for temporary injunction.  Perhaps that was smart, but it could also come back to bite them.  

I think the biggest hurdle that the plaintiffs have is what is called "standing."  That is, do the players who filed the lawsuit have the right to bring an action against the FHSAA.  Obviously, the players are not members of the FHSAA and arguably they cannot challenge a ruling by the FHSAA against a member school.  So, while First Academy likely would have standing to challenge the FHSAA's decision (although, as mentioned above, they may have waited too long), it is questionable whether an athlete at the member school has the right to challenge the decision as it relates to the school's punishment (and not punishment against an individual player).  

I guess this explains why the Class 1A Region 2 quadrant is blank for now.  The FHSAA will wait until the hearing on Monday before they fill that in and we know whether Chaminade-Madonna will play First Academy in the championship game or somebody else.   

[Ray Icaza]

2 hours ago, Perspective said:

So, a couple of thoughts.  

Getting a temporary injunction is not necessarily the hardest thing in the world to do because, typically, the party seeking the relief goes into court ex parte (meaning that the other party usually isn't even there).  They get to make thier argument and if they meet the requirements, the court will grant the temporary injunction and then set a hearing to determine whether the relief sought is appropriate.  At this second hearing, the 'other party' is present and has the opportunity to argue their position.  From the judge's standpoint, if you grant the motion for temporary injunction, that allows the process to play out.  If you deny the initial motion, the case is over.   Many times, a court will grant the initial motion simply to give both parties the opportunity to be heard.  My guess is that this is what the judge just did.  

From the article, it appears that the FHSAA has filed a response, including a motion challenging virtually every aspect of the plaintiff's case, including venue (i.e., where the case should be heard . . . I'm pretty sure that FHSAA rules require any litigation to be filed in Alachua County).   

I find the timing to be very interesting.   If what I read is accurate, the FHSAA made their decision almost a year ago.  Certainly, anyone with a right to challenge that decision could have done so long before now.  It's almost like First Academy and their lawyers intentionally waited until the last minute to file their lawsuit/motion for temporary injunction.  Perhaps that was smart, but it could also come back to bite them.  

I think the biggest hurdle that the plaintiffs have is what is called "standing."  That is, do the players who filed the lawsuit have the right to bring an action against the FHSAA.  Obviously, the players are not members of the FHSAA and arguably they cannot challenge a ruling by the FHSAA against a member school.  So, while First Academy likely would have standing to challenge the FHSAA's decision (although, as mentioned above, they may have waited too long), it is questionable whether an athlete at the member school has the right to challenge the decision as it relates to the school's punishment (and not punishment against an individual player).  

I guess this explains why the Class 1A Region 2 quadrant is blank for now.  The FHSAA will wait until the hearing on Monday before they fill that in and we know whether Chaminade-Madonna will play First Academy in the championship game or somebody else.   

Thanks for breaking down this legal process and what I found most revealing was you accurately pointing out the TIMING of this.  They had fought the ruling previously, though not in court and lost the appeal.  Seeing how an injunction works and them not doing it at the beginning of the year rather waiting till the midnight hour smells.  Plus, the coaches and administration have been emphatic it isn't their idea but that of the parents, yet they haven't lifted a finger to discourage the actions. What a slimy bunch.

[nolebull813]

6 minutes ago, Ray Icaza said:

Thanks for breaking down this legal process and what I found most revealing was you accurately pointing out the TIMING of this.  They had fought the ruling previously, though not in court and lost the appeal.  Seeing how an injunction works and them not doing it at the beginning of the year rather waiting till the midnight hour smells.  Plus, the coaches and administration have been emphatic it isn't their idea but that of the parents, yet they haven't lifted a finger to discourage the actions. What a slimy bunch.

Slimy. Holding an entire quadrant hostage. This is garbage. The FHSAA needs to kick them out completely. 

[Dr. D]

At which point TFA would file another lawsuit.

[THAT S--T WAS FUNNY]

They know that they can't win this. They deliberately did this to mess with the FHSAA and the playoff process. The kids and coaches from the other teams in the region are the real victims. 

[KeemD321]

And the crazy thing is the parents that filed the suit and in a uproar saying the players don't deserve the punishment. Yes they are right about the players not deserving the punishment. But they are acting as if they didn't go into the summer or this brand new season knowing that FTA still had 1 more year of this ban against. They could've easily went to a completely different school or fought it during the summer or beginning of the season to see if they could get in

[PinellasFB]

So absolutely dumb question here.  How are you allowed into the playoffs if you didn't play any district games?  Without being in a district, you aren't assigned a region so it seems like you should be ineligible since you don't have a region to qualify in?  

Excuse my language, but FUCK THE FIRST ACADEMY!  They cheat, break all the rules, and then wreck everyone else's playoff experience.  There are teams still in limbo as they sort this out.  FUCK THE FIRST ACADEMY!

I have never written a swear word in any post on this forum so for me to start posting language like this, it really means I truly hate that team.  They recruited, broke rules and then decided to be IMG and play a national schedule.  Great, a national team has a different mission than the rest of us who roll with our student body.  GTFO of our playoffs and go play with the other recruiters.  I personally know a kid who transferred into that school this year.  This kid has not played for the same team two years in a row since I first met him in youth ball.  He is home schooled (so no school essentially), has reclassified to develop more, and is the perfect fit for those no-school, sports only mercenaries who play for TFA.  He somehow transfers 100+ miles to another school too?  I guess that's legal... looking at you Lakeland and Venice lol.  

Anyway, did I mention FUCK THE FIRST ACADEMY yet?

[Dr. D]

1)  If the judge can look past this incredibly shallow legal ploy, he/she could certainly find a way to wedge TFA into the bracket.

2)  Why don't you tell us how you really feel?  

[Perspective]

Interestingly, the Class 1A Region 2 brackets now show up on the FHSAA website . . . and there is no mention of The First Academy . . . so I'm guessing things didn't go well for TFA today in court.   I'm guessing the court heard "the other side" and opted to undo the temporary injunction (that would have allowed TFA to participate in the playoffs).  

[nolebull813]

No playoffs for The First Academy. 

[THAT S--T WAS FUNNY]

They knew what the result was gonna be. They didn't care that it would impact the other kids and coaches. Selfish and vindictive 

[Ray Icaza]

They don't get much love and don't deserve much, but I got to give FHSAA credit for standing their ground against this form of intimidation to chalk a win up for the good guys.  I wasn't confident they had it in them. 

[THAT S--T WAS FUNNY]

58 minutes ago, Ray Icaza said:

They don't get much love and don't deserve much, but I got to give FHSAA credit for standing their ground against this form of intimidation to chalk a win up for the good guys.  I wasn't confident they had it in them. 

Well, now we know what happens when you piss them off enough. TFA poked the bear one to many times. Or maybe the cub....can't give fhsaa too much credit

[Ray Icaza]

13 hours ago, Ray Icaza said:

They don't get much love and don't deserve much, but I got to give FHSAA credit for standing their ground against this form of intimidation to chalk a win up for the good guys.  I wasn't confident they had it in them. 

I know ultimately it came down to the ruling by the judge presiding the case, but in fact the FHSAA still had to stand and fight for their correct decision.