South Oak Cliff in trouble again....and maybe Kansas too

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South Oak Cliff in trouble again....and maybe Kansas too

Grade questions could void another SOC title

08:21 AM CDT on Friday, May 16, 2008

By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA-TV

DALLAS — The South Oak Cliff High School boys basketball team has already been forced to forfeit their 2006 state title. Now there are new questions about the team's 2005 state crown and its star athlete.

A News 8 investigation into improper grade changing has uncovered new potential problems, this time with Darrell Arthur, one of the highest profile amateur athletes in the nation. He not only helped South Oak Cliff win two state basketball championships; he just pulled down a coveted college basketball crown.

As a junior forward, Arthur was an A+ athlete on the court. But transcripts obtained by News 8 raise questions about whether he was actually making the grade in the classroom during his junior season, specifically in math.

Transcripts show Arthur received no grades at all during his fall semester. His final grade was changed to a 70 in September 2005 without an explanation.

If, in fact, Arthur had failed math that fall, he would not have been eligible to play basketball, and many of his team’s victories in that championship season might have to be forfeited, according to University Interscholastic League standards.

Similar irregularities recently uncovered by News 8 concerning fellow player Kendrake Johnigan has already led to the forfeiture of South Oak Cliff's 2006 state crown.

Former South Oak Cliff math teacher Winford Ashmore said Arthur had a history of trouble in math. He showed us his 2002 grade book for freshman math in which Arthur was making weekly failing grades: 45, 25 and 24.

Ashmore said then-principal Donald Moten, and current head basketball coach James Mays Jr., both asked him to bypass the rules and award Arthur a passing grade.

"Darrell was still failing, and was not making much of an effort in class, and was not coming to tutoring,†Ashmore said. “So at that point I ensured Moten — as well as James Mays Jr. — that Darrell Arthur was going to get an F for the six weeks."

Days later, without teacher approval, Arthur was dropped from Ashmore's class. And despite those low grades, transcripts reflect Arthur received a passing grade of 70.

In the Spring of 2003, school records show Arthur failed math again with a 64. But those records also show that in January of 2005 — two years later — Principal Moten signed off on changing that failing grade to a passing grade of 72.

The reason given for the grade change, according to records: "Teacher bubbled (the grade) incorrectly."

But district policy states: "Errors in student grades must be corrected within ten days after the grading period ends."

Principal Donald Moten is no longer with the Dallas ISD. He resigned following the News 8 — and subsequent internal DISD — investigation into grade-changing during the 2006 championship season.

District officials said Coach Mays' actions are still being examined. Ashmore said a thorough investigation will reveal the truth. "Coach Mays has full knowledge of what's going on as it relates to kids being changed out of classes," said Ashmore.

Ashmore says the grade-changing for athletes was improper, and calls into question more than just the winning of a state championship trophy.

“Since Darrell Arthur really did not pass algebra — which means he did not clear the clearing house — that also means that he really should not have been eligible for a Division I major college scholarship," Ashmore said.

Last month, Arthur helped lead the Kansas Jayhawks to the NCAA college basketball championship. He recently decided to leave college and turn pro.

So did the possible cheating by adults pay off?

Not according to Jeff Sullivan, a DISD teacher and coach who has seen our stories and believes the only one being cheated is the child.

“Taking the student out of class who is already borderline is just hurting them worse,†Sullivan said. “In the end, it makes sure that they don't have to make the work up, and then changing the grade is hurting them twice as bad."

Both Moten and Coach Mays have declined to comment for this story. DISD officials have also declined to comment, but say these allegations are being fully investigated.

What is unclear at this time is how this will be handled by the University of Kansas and the NCAA.

NCAA officials have confirmed to News 8 that if a player is ineligible, forfeiture of any or all games involving that student is a possible consequence..

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and the coach responds...

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SOC basketball coach disputes report that grades were changed for Arthur

01:08 AM CDT on Friday, May 16, 2008

By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News

[email protected]

South Oak Cliff boys basketball coach James Mays II is disputing a story aired Thursday by WFAA-TV (Channel 8) alleging that grades were improperly changed for former SOC standout Darrell Arthur.

The story, supported by transcripts obtained by WFAA, said Arthur had grades changed in September 2005 and should not have been eligible to play basketball according to UIL rules. Arthur, a 6-9 sophomore forward for Kansas, declared for the upcoming NBA draft after helping the Jayhawks win the NCAA championship in April. He was a key player on SOC's 2005 and 2006 state championship teams.

"That's just ridiculous," Mays said of WFAA's report. "He [Arthur] has always been an excellent student, and I can't say anything but good things about him."

WFAA reported Arthur's transcripts showed he received no grades during the fall 2005 semester, but a final grade in math was changed to a passing grade. Mays said Arthur's academics, however, have never been an issue.

"He finished with a 3.0 grade point average this semester [at Kansas], even though he entered the draft." Mays said. "We're not talking about a dumb jock here, and that's what this story makes it sounds like."

Dallas ISD athletic director Jeff Johnson declined to comment, and calls to DISD superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa were not returned. WFAA reported DISD officials were planning to investigate the allegations.

Kansas associate athletic director Jim Marchiony, who spent 17 years working for the NCAA, said he is aware of the situation but said any comment "would really be premature." "Mays on Thursday denied reports that he and former SOC principal Donald Moten – who is no longer with the district – asked a former SOC teacher to award Arthur an unearned passing grade

WFAA reported similar grade improprieties in November, when the eligibility of former SOC player Kendrake Johnigan was questioned.

The investigation led to a January announcement by Hinojosa that SOC would forfeit its 2006 championship. The UIL, however, has yet to officially strip SOC of that title. SOC also won state titles in 2007 and 2008.

Staff writer Chip Brown contributed to this report

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Report claims Arthur's grades altered in high school

DALLAS -- Officials are investigating whether Kansas basketball star Darrell Arthur was eligible to play in high school, which could affect whether he should have ever played for the national champion Jayhawks, according to a television report.

South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, which already has forfeited its 2006 title because of improperly altered grades for another player, is investigating whether Arthur's grades also were improperly altered, WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth reported.

The 6-foot-9 Kansas sophomore was second on the NCAA champion Jayhawks in scoring at 12.8 points a game and second in rebounding. He has applied for early entry into the NBA draft.

According to a former teacher and transcripts obtained by WFAA, Arthur was not passing math as a junior but his grade was changed without the teacher's knowledge.

Arthur was one of the nation's top recruits out of high school. The McDonald's All-American led South Oak Cliff to consecutive state titles, earning tournament MVP both times.

The station said the NCAA told its reporter that if a player is found to be ineligible, his college team might have to forfeit any or all games involving that student.

However, Jim Marchiony, KU's associate athletic director for external affairs, said he believed that the investigation into Arthur would not affect the school's basketball program.

"This is something that happened in high school," Marchiony said. "Everything that is discussed right now is speculation. I know the media and fans like to speculate, but that's not something we participate in."

Marchiony said high schools send athletes' transcripts to the NCAA, which determines whether an athlete is eligible to play in college. Because the NCAA declared Arthur eligible, Kansas would not have known about any grading problems in high school, he said.

"I believe that the school district is looking into it," Marchiony said. "Right now, the only thing any of us can do is wait to see the result of that process."

[Guest Jags]

[Guest Indian Chief]

What's wrong with that school?

[Bucof2010]

Wow. This amazes me, but I am %99 sure the college knew nothing about it and I think they should be left out of it.

[24 over par]

this is the coach that should be banned not a guy who spoke the truth about the officals

[Guest orangeman]

There's a whole lot of smoke here, and you know what they say.....

[Tiger90]

Former South Oak Cliff math teacher Winford Ashmore said Arthur had a history of trouble in math. He showed us his 2002 grade book for freshman math in which Arthur was making weekly failing grades: 45, 25 and 24.

In the Spring of 2003, school records show Arthur failed math again with a 64. But those records also show that in January of 2005 — two years later — Principal Moten signed off on changing that failing grade to a passing grade of 72.

I do not condone cheating in any way but this is wrong.  This teacher has opened himself up.  A kid's record is not up to the public to scrutinize.  It is not right for anyone to post a 14-15 year old kid's grades to the public.  Forget the grade changing situation and picture your kid's teacher showing the world his/her grades without your consent.

[Guest Luv Ya Blue]

They may get the Death Penalty from the UIL.

[Guest DickVitale]

Nope. It doesn't work that way.  :...Death Penalty? How funny... :

[Guest stevenash]

Dealth Penalty?-NO  Second Chance?-Probably

[Guest Luv Ya Blue]

Nope. It doesn't work that way.  :...Death Penalty? How funny... :

The UIL does have a Death Penalty for Schools and teams, They've used it a couple times in the past i believe.

[Guest DickVitale]

Even if he DID (which I personally think is BS, since the teacher waited until DRAFT YEAR to "come out") change the grades, that does not warrant giving the school the DEATH PENALTY...Are you crazy?

[Guest Luv Ya Blue]

I'm just saying hasn't this school been in trouble more than once before?

[Guest DickVitale]

Yes, they have been, but in the case of playing ineligible players the owness falls in the lap of the head coach, therefore, the first thing that would happen would be to remove the head coach, not KILL THE BASKETBALL PROGRAM... :...Come on guys.

[Guest Luv Ya Blue]

True, your probably right.

[Bucof2010]

Killing the basketball program would be %100 unfair to all players going to the xchool.

[bmtdc1996]

Death Penalty in high school???  I would like to see some instances of that before I believe it.  Removal of a coach, sanctions or probation for the team but not totally killing the program.  Can't see that happening.