Ilion High School - Class of 1982

Source pdf file is here Utica NY Daily Press 1981 - 7167.pdf on fultonhistory.com

4 Ilion runners are declared ineligible

ILION - Ilion High School has declared four cross-country runners ineligible for the rest of the season because they ran in last month's Adam Helmer 10-kilometer race.

Seniors Randy Franks and Mark Mogenson, junior Eric Paul and sophomore Scott Humphrey were barred from competing because they broke a New York Pubic High School Athletic Association rule that prohibits athletes from participating in non-school activities after their school season has started, Superintendent Joseph Fusco said.

Ilion's cross-country season began Sept 19. The 10-kilometer race was held Sept 20.

In an official statement released yesterday, Fusco said the four "unknowingly ran in a road race after they had participated in interscholastic sports competition."

"The responsibility for notifying the students of the rules lies with the athletic director and coach," Fusco's statement said.

"The boys involved will not compete against other schools officially or unofficially," the statement said. "Ilion High School's cross-country teams will participate in the remainder of the season in compliance with the rules."

Ilion's cross-country team forfeited a meet Tuesday against John F. Kennedy High School because it didn't have enough eligible runners, school officials said.

Fusco said he did not know how the violation was reported to the school Athletic Director Nicholas Pannes declined comment on the issue.