AHSAA sanctions Prattville High program

Published 10:59 pm Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Members of the Troy City Schools Board of Education are reviewing the impact of recent sanctions against Superintendent Lee Hicks’ former employer, Prattville High School.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association has issued sanctions against Prattville High School. The Montgomery Advertiser reports that the sanctions include multi-game suspensions of two athletes. Officials said the school was also fined a total of $600 for allowing the two ineligible players to compete.

The ruling means that Prattville High will be able to participate in postseason play in football and basketball if teams qualify.

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Authorities say a football player who was not identified will be suspended for five games as the 2011-12 season begins. The other, who played football and basketball and also was not identified, will have to sit out the first five football games and the first 30 basketball games of the upcoming season.

“I’ve been made aware of the sanctions, but I’ve not had time to review them,” said Roxie Kitchens, president of the Troy City Schools board. “I’m sure the board will take into review any party or knowlege Mr. Hicks may have had of the situation.”

Hicks was principal at Prattville for three years before becoming superintendent at Troy this summer.

Kitchens said she remains confident that the Troy system has adhered to the ASHAA rules and hoped that the Prattville situation would not cause undue negative reactions to Hicks’ work in Troy, particulary since the school board has not had the chance to fully review the details.

“I feel like we have gotten off to a great start to the school year,” she said. “Mr. Hicks and the other administrators have generated a sense of excitement in the school system.”

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)