Hillsborough High Baseball Under Investigation
By ADAM ADKINS The Tampa Tribune
Published: Aug 30, 2006
TAMPA - The Hillsborough County Athletics Department is investigating possible recruiting violations in Hillsborough High's baseball program.
Hillsborough County director of athletics Vernon Korhn confirmed Tuesday his office was looking into possible violations. Korhn said he'd notified Hillsborough principal William Orr of the investigation, but declined to discuss specifics.
"There's some issues [we're looking into], but right now nothing has been determined and at this point I don't have any further comment," Korhn said.
Korhn notified the Florida High School Athletic Association about possible violations. However, Sonny Hester, FHSAA associate commissioner for compliance and eligibility, said Tuesday the investigation was turned back over to Korhn's office because a member school did not prompt it.
"The ball is in his [Vernon's] court. I haven't been asked to act on anything from a member school. If a member school wants us to look into it, we would have followed through with it, but it was something that was forwarded to us by Vernon's office," Hester said. "Right now, this is an internal matter between Hillsborough County's athletic department and the school. It's up to them to clean their own house."
Korhn declined to comment on whom or what prompted the investigation. Korhn also added there is no timetable for the investigation to be completed.
Hillsborough baseball coach Pat Russo, who said he had not been informed of any ongoing investigation into his program, was adamant about doing nothing wrong when reached Tuesday night.
"Anybody in this town, from [Hillsborough football coach] Earl Garcia, or [Armwood football coach] Sean Callahan, to [Brandon wrestling coach] Russ Cozart, to [Gaither baseball coach] Frank Permuy, the guys who are the best at what they do, they don't have to recruit. Good coaches don't have to recruit. If you have a good program, people will come to you," Russo said. "I don't have time to do things people allege that I do. I don't have time to sit down and recruit a kid to come play for me. I haven't done it at Plant from Year One to Hillsborough in Year 12. I'm tired of people trying to bring me down."
Russo, who started his Hillsborough County coaching career at Plant in 1995 before going to Hillsborough six years later, last season guided the Terriers to a 30-5 record, a Saladino Tournament championship and the program's first trip to the state tournament in 26 years. Hillsborough eventually fell to Pace in the Class 5A state title game.
Russo said he doesn't know why an investigation would be launched, though he said "it's possible" it's the result of a pair of senior transfers who entered his program this season. However, Russo said both players currently live in Hillsborough's school district and he in no way recruited them to play for the Terriers.
"All these guys need to worry about making their programs a success and stop worrying about mine. I think it's funny that some people will go behind your back and send letters to Mr. Korhn and [assistant director of athletics Jennifer] Burchill and make allegations, and then talk to you to your face the next day," Russo said. "If these guys want to throw stones, Pat Russo ain't the guy to throw stones at. I will call out everybody who calls me out. If they want Hillsborough County baseball to have some turmoil, Pat Russo will be the guy to do it."
Reporter Anwar S. Richardson contributed to this report. Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.
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