VALDOSTA — As the investigation into possible rules violations and improprieties by the Valdosta Wildcats high school football program continues, the Georgia High School Association has handed down sanctions against the team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fines totaling $7,500 have been issued, along with the forfeit of seven wins from the 2020 season, a postseason ban for the upcoming 2021 season, and five players ruled ineligible for the 2021 season as well \u2014 some of whom have already left the school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision comes after the release of an audio tape recorded in May by then-Wildcats booster club executive director Michael \u201cNub\u201d Nelson. In the recording, a voice, alleged to be Valdosta head football coach Rush Propst, is heard discussing a variety of topics, including the need for cash to pay for housing for athletes from outside of the area so they could play for the Wildcats as well as the desire to have cash on hand in an office \u2014 \u201cfunny money,\u201d as it was described in the conversation \u2014 for any expense that would come up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The voice also discusses how college programs in the Southeastern Conference allegedly keep athletes on their teams with cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 64-page deposition of Nelson in the current lawsuit against the City of Valdosta Board of Education involving former Valdosta head coach Alan Rodemaker, whose contract was not renewed before head coach Propst was brought in, and other evidence also factored in the GHSA\u2019s decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The GHSA itself is not commenting publicly until the appeals process has played out in full on the matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phil Jones of ITG-Next Georgia broke the news on his afternoon sports show \u201cExtra Point!\u201d Monday afternoon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome folks thought the penalty was more severe than they expected,\u201d Jones said. \u201cAt this point, everyone in Valdosta is almost numb to what\u2019s going on. There\u2019s not a whole lot more that could surprise people. At the same time, it\u2019s like you know it\u2019s coming and you\u2019re never fully prepared for what you\u2019re going to hear.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n