GHSA Strips Chamblee High Girls Soccer Team Of 2022 State And Region Titles: District

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — The girls soccer team at Chamblee High School has been stripped of its 2022 State and Region titles over violations, according to the DeKalb County School district.

On May 11, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) informed Chamblee High School that it was in violation of three by-laws, resulting in the program forfeiting all its victories during the 2021- 2022 season, including its region and state championship titles, the district said in an email to Patch on Friday.

GHSA also informed the school that three student-athletes are ineligible for varsity participation for one calendar year, according to the school district.

This decision, they said, followed an investigation into the girls’ soccer program for possible violations of GHSA by-laws after an inquiry was made into a possible conflict of interest infraction and other alleged infractions, according to the school district.

“This is devastating news for our team and the hard work and determination they displayed all season,” said Chamblee High School Principal Gail Barnes in a statement. “We appreciate the loyal support from our parents, fans, and community. Without question, we will do our part to correct what we can, moving forward.”

According to the district, GHSA determined that Chamblee violated three by-laws:

• By-law 1.72 (c) and (d) undue influence.
• By-law 2.26 failure to exert reasonable institutional control.
• By-law 2.52 (g) allowing an unauthorized person to coach.

School officials said Friday they are preparing to appeal the undue influence charge. GHSA found that one of the assistant coaches trained three student-athletes in local club soccer, and those same student-athletes are members of Chamblee’s soccer team. However, the school will appeal on the grounds that the girls have been students in the Chamblee cluster and the District since elementary school and were not recruited to the school.

“I am sorry this is happening to our players,” said Principal Barnes. “Our players are class acts on and off the field.”