Land O' Lakes High Forced to Forfeit Games for Recruiting Violations

must forfeit 44 athletic contests, including 23 football games, over two years and pay a fine because of recruiting violations, the Pasco Tribune reports.

The Florida High School Athletic Association ruled Wednesday that two sibling student-athletes were illegally recruited, according to the Tribune. The school self-reported the violations earlier this month, the Tribune reports, which led the FHSAA to reduce the fines from a possible $80,000 ($2,500 per game) to $3,200 ($100 per game).

The Tribune cited a report from FHSAA executive director Roger Dearing, which said the athletes' family "was assisted by a coach and a football booster parent, who helped them to obtain and submit a false address to attend Land O' Lakes High School, though they actually lived outside the district."

Principal Ric Mellin told the Tribune the incident did not involve any current members of the coaching staff, but he would not comment further while the school considers a possible appeal.

One of student-athletes also participated in five boys weightlifting meets last year, while the other played junior varsity volleyball, the Tribune reports. They have been withdrawn from the school.

Read the full story here.