According to the Rock Hill Herald, Nathan's appeals hearing is at 2 PM today.
Arroyo's appeal set for today
By Barry Byers The Herald
(Published February 22‚ 2006)
Northwestern High School administrators are headed to Columbia today, hoping to get a reversal on a decision by the South Carolina High School League last Tuesday involving soccer standout Nathan Arroyo.
Jerome Singleton, the league's executive director, ruled last Tuesday that Arroyo is out of eligibility and because he punted for the football team in the fall, the Trojans must forfeit the four games they won.
Northwestern's representatives will make an appeal before the league's 16-member executive committee at 2 p.m. today. Singleton said last week that today's meeting was put on the league's calendar and listed as tentative, but because several other appeals have been received, the decision to meet was made.
Singleton confirmed on Tuesday that the Arroyo appeal is on today's agenda.
Arroyo moved to Rock Hill from the Atlanta area last year and established himself as one of the top boys soccer players in the state. He set a school record for most goals, 46, and points, 122, in a season
His eligibility came in question when spring sports eligibility forms were being done. His transcripts show that he started high school in 2002, which would make this his senior season.
In doing the eligibility forms, it was noticed that several courses had "transfer" written beside them, which was questioned. After the school investigated the situation, it was discovered that Arroyo actually began the ninth grade at a private school, making this year his fifth in high school.
According to SCHSL rules, once a student begins his or her freshman year, he or she is allowed eight consecutive semesters to play sports.
Upon finding the error, Northwestern notified the SCHSL of the situation and asked for a ruling.
Arroyo did not play sports at the private school. He repeated the ninth grade at a public school.
Barry Byers • 329-4099
bbyers@heraldonline.com
