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Ohio Football Topic
Topic: OT: Bishop Sycamore - What exactly is this?
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cbus cat fan
8/30/2021 4:19 PM
I would be very surprised if Bishop Sycamore was connected to a religious body. Just look at the plethora of prosperity preachers on TV and their infomercials. It seems a good many of them call themselves "Bishop." Yet when you see the credits, it says "not affiliated with any relgious organiztion." It is an attention grabbing title.

Schools are always inundated with con men for games, fundraisers, camps etc. I could tell you stories of the stuff I had to deal with that would go on far too long. Stuff my colleagues and I brought had to law enforcement's attention. Some of the stuff I still can't believe people fell for. A detective told us, "There's a sucker born every minute and when you have layers of bureaucracy and decision making, con men slip through the cracks." We were small and didn't have that problem, so I am sure this is how it happened with regard to ESPN and big time high school programs. They just thought it sounded legit and figured someone else was double checking everything.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
8/30/2021 4:33 PM
Another theory:

The line between legitimate school and sports factory has become so blurred of late that the only difference between Bishop Sycamore and Findlay Prep or whoever is one of execution.

In other words, one can found Bishop Sycamore with the intention of recruiting and attracting top prep players, fail to do so, and end up where we are today. And the rest of the high school sports world has become so used to new academies popping up that nobody blinks at the idea.
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mf279801
8/30/2021 8:53 PM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
Any player who has already graduated HS shouldn't be playing HS teams. They should be classified as JUCO.
Could a law suit follow?
Who are what are you going to file a law suit against? For?
This is news well outside of Ohio.

Opposing team or player could file a lawsuit claiming endangerment since the players are over age and the school lied about it and put the players out there regardless.. Yes, they stink, and are outmuscled, but Bishop Sycamore has money stashed somewhere - which a lawyer will sniff out - all you need is one player from the Pennsylvania game that limped off and he's your plaintiff. Sycamore won't even think about going to court as the depositions / discovery efforts would unearth (I'm guessing) way more skeletons. Wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing shuts down almost immediately - which will lead to their own "students" - players filing lawsuits. It's obviously a scam and someone was making money - lawsuits always follow the money.

Obviously if ESPN was duped, they will make an example of the school.


Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go pick up my room key at the Holiday Inn Express
There's always a suit to be filed. Just ask any of the lawyers involved in the plot to overturn the 2020 election. How many did they file, 80 or so?

A suit against Bishop Sycamore (their initials should have raised red flags) might actually have a chance to succeed, given there might be a basis for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of contract if they're shut down, reckless endangerment given the number of games they play in a week, and a host of other grounds that their players, opposing players, ESPN, the scheduler, and maybe others could come up with. And if BS is sued or is forced to shut down, look for them to file for bankruptcy, although if they're somehow actually connected to the Catholic Church, there's a deep pocket.

ESPN apparently is making an example of the school by airing a replay of the game tomorrow night at 8:00 on ESPNU. Subject to change without notice.
If you go to the time and expense of suing “Bishop Sycamore” you’re being crazy optimistic that they have any assets (that you’ll be able to get your hands on). I wouldn’t take that bet. Sure, you might win judgements against some broke-ass kids who managed to graduate high school but weren’t good enough to get on scholarship, but that and $4.50 will get you a large coffee
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Pataskala
8/30/2021 10:09 PM
mf279801 wrote:expand_more
Any player who has already graduated HS shouldn't be playing HS teams. They should be classified as JUCO.
Could a law suit follow?
Who are what are you going to file a law suit against? For?
This is news well outside of Ohio.

Opposing team or player could file a lawsuit claiming endangerment since the players are over age and the school lied about it and put the players out there regardless.. Yes, they stink, and are outmuscled, but Bishop Sycamore has money stashed somewhere - which a lawyer will sniff out - all you need is one player from the Pennsylvania game that limped off and he's your plaintiff. Sycamore won't even think about going to court as the depositions / discovery efforts would unearth (I'm guessing) way more skeletons. Wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing shuts down almost immediately - which will lead to their own "students" - players filing lawsuits. It's obviously a scam and someone was making money - lawsuits always follow the money.

Obviously if ESPN was duped, they will make an example of the school.


Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go pick up my room key at the Holiday Inn Express
There's always a suit to be filed. Just ask any of the lawyers involved in the plot to overturn the 2020 election. How many did they file, 80 or so?

A suit against Bishop Sycamore (their initials should have raised red flags) might actually have a chance to succeed, given there might be a basis for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of contract if they're shut down, reckless endangerment given the number of games they play in a week, and a host of other grounds that their players, opposing players, ESPN, the scheduler, and maybe others could come up with. And if BS is sued or is forced to shut down, look for them to file for bankruptcy, although if they're somehow actually connected to the Catholic Church, there's a deep pocket.

ESPN apparently is making an example of the school by airing a replay of the game tomorrow night at 8:00 on ESPNU. Subject to change without notice.
If you go to the time and expense of suing “Bishop Sycamore” you’re being crazy optimistic that they have any assets (that you’ll be able to get your hands on). I wouldn’t take that bet. Sure, you might win judgements against some broke-ass kids who managed to graduate high school but weren’t good enough to get on scholarship, but that and $4.50 will get you a large coffee
There's nothing to sue players for. If anything, they're victims who might sue. If someone gets injured from playing opponents who are college age, you sue those who put on the game -- "Bishop Sycamore", the other school (for lack of due diligence), and, if applicable, the marketing company that set up the game and ESPN.

And you're right, there probably isn't much money to be had in suing Sycamore. An article in the Dispatch paints a pretty bleak picture of the school. Because they're not registered with the Ohio Dept of Education, ODOE doesn't have any oversight of them. Unfortunately the Dispatch article raises as many questions as it answers. https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/high-school/footbal... /
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Pataskala
8/31/2021 12:47 PM
Interesting perspective from one of the players' parents: https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/what-it-was-like-being-a...

More dirt from Awful Announcing, including a lot on the coach's background: https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/we-learned-more-about-ho... . Disclaimer: Toward the end they link to claims from other discussion boards that haven't been verified, so take those with a grain of salt.

The fact that the coach had some players change numbers for the Sunday game is very troubling. Not only was he risking player injuries by having some play both ways on Friday and Sunday, but he was trying to hide the fact that some players played both games. Definitely doesn't have the players' health and safety as a priority.
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OhioCatFan
8/31/2021 2:26 PM
I feel like I need to take a shower after reading this thread.
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spongeBOB CATpants
8/31/2021 8:09 PM
Ohio's governor wants to know more about Bishop Sycamore, a private high school at the center of a football scandal that's garnered national attention.

“While this weekend’s football game brought concerns about the health and safety of players, it also raised red flags about the school’s operations," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.

He directed the Ohio Department of Education to "conduct an investigation into Bishop Sycamore to ensure compliance with Ohio law and to ensure the school is providing the educational opportunities Ohio students deserve.”

But how much authority, if any, state education officials have over this particular kind of private school remains unclear.
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Pataskala
8/31/2021 9:20 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
Ohio's governor wants to know more about Bishop Sycamore, a private high school at the center of a football scandal that's garnered national attention.

“While this weekend’s football game brought concerns about the health and safety of players, it also raised red flags about the school’s operations," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.

He directed the Ohio Department of Education to "conduct an investigation into Bishop Sycamore to ensure compliance with Ohio law and to ensure the school is providing the educational opportunities Ohio students deserve.”

But how much authority, if any, state education officials have over this particular kind of private school remains unclear.
Sounds like a job for the AG's office, with help from ODE, to make sure that parents and students/athletes haven't been defrauded or misled. It's not clear whether ODE's standards apply but if the students were promised a level of education they're not getting, that could be fraud.
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BillyTheCat
9/1/2021 8:15 AM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
Ohio's governor wants to know more about Bishop Sycamore, a private high school at the center of a football scandal that's garnered national attention.

“While this weekend’s football game brought concerns about the health and safety of players, it also raised red flags about the school’s operations," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.

He directed the Ohio Department of Education to "conduct an investigation into Bishop Sycamore to ensure compliance with Ohio law and to ensure the school is providing the educational opportunities Ohio students deserve.”

But how much authority, if any, state education officials have over this particular kind of private school remains unclear.
Sounds like a job for the AG's office, with help from ODE, to make sure that parents and students/athletes haven't been defrauded or misled. It's not clear whether ODE's standards apply but if the students were promised a level of education they're not getting, that could be fraud.
Wouldn't it be kind of hard to commit fruad regarding an education to a kid who has already graduated?
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Pataskala
9/1/2021 11:17 AM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
Ohio's governor wants to know more about Bishop Sycamore, a private high school at the center of a football scandal that's garnered national attention.

“While this weekend’s football game brought concerns about the health and safety of players, it also raised red flags about the school’s operations," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.

He directed the Ohio Department of Education to "conduct an investigation into Bishop Sycamore to ensure compliance with Ohio law and to ensure the school is providing the educational opportunities Ohio students deserve.”

But how much authority, if any, state education officials have over this particular kind of private school remains unclear.
Sounds like a job for the AG's office, with help from ODE, to make sure that parents and students/athletes haven't been defrauded or misled. It's not clear whether ODE's standards apply but if the students were promised a level of education they're not getting, that could be fraud.
Wouldn't it be kind of hard to commit fruad regarding an education to a kid who has already graduated?
No, not if the kid is told he can get his grades up so he can get into a D1 college. That seems to be what Sycamore's telling some of these guys.
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mf279801
9/1/2021 11:42 AM
Pataskala wrote:expand_more
Ohio's governor wants to know more about Bishop Sycamore, a private high school at the center of a football scandal that's garnered national attention.

“While this weekend’s football game brought concerns about the health and safety of players, it also raised red flags about the school’s operations," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement.

He directed the Ohio Department of Education to "conduct an investigation into Bishop Sycamore to ensure compliance with Ohio law and to ensure the school is providing the educational opportunities Ohio students deserve.”

But how much authority, if any, state education officials have over this particular kind of private school remains unclear.
Sounds like a job for the AG's office, with help from ODE, to make sure that parents and students/athletes haven't been defrauded or misled. It's not clear whether ODE's standards apply but if the students were promised a level of education they're not getting, that could be fraud.
Wouldn't it be kind of hard to commit fruad regarding an education to a kid who has already graduated?
No, not if the kid is told he can get his grades up so he can get into a D1 college. That seems to be what Sycamore's telling some of these guys.
Call me cynical, but I think that all of the kids/parents/parole officers associated with Bishop Sycamore players knew exactly what they were getting. It would take a large quantity of evidence for me to believe that they were victims or defrauded.
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cc-cat
9/1/2021 12:08 PM
They did know what they were getting into (to a degree) - but their opponents didn't - especially with the kids being over 18 - which continues to be an issue. Four opponents have already cancelled. Coach is gone (scapegoat) and it is less than 96 hours after the game. Their season will be over in the next few days and the school will soon shut down - since football was the only reason it existed.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
9/1/2021 12:59 PM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
They did know what they were getting into (to a degree) - but their opponents didn't - especially with the kids being over 18 - which continues to be an issue. Four opponents have already cancelled. Coach is gone (scapegoat) and it is less than 96 hours after the game. Their season will be over in the next few days and the school will soon shut down - since football was the only reason it existed.
Isn't it common for prep schools to take kids on a post-grad year? Or do they tend to play in their own leagues separate from traditional high schools?
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BillyTheCat
9/1/2021 1:50 PM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
They did know what they were getting into (to a degree) - but their opponents didn't - especially with the kids being over 18 - which continues to be an issue. Four opponents have already cancelled. Coach is gone (scapegoat) and it is less than 96 hours after the game. Their season will be over in the next few days and the school will soon shut down - since football was the only reason it existed.
There is NO school! There is NO AD! There has NOT been a school! That is why they are NOT ODE accredited!



And yes BLS, post grad schools often play regular High School teams. Not uncommon at all!


And sorry, most of their opponents knew what they were getting! Johnson Central who just cancelled on them, knew of this and knew the KHSAA was not going to sanction the game, but they chose to schedule them anyway. Massillon, Hoban, IMG, they all knew what they were getting.
Last Edited: 9/1/2021 1:52:52 PM by BillyTheCat
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cc-cat
9/1/2021 7:21 PM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
There is NO school! There is NO AD! There has NOT been a school! That is why they are NOT ODE accredited! [/QUOTE]Could care less about accreditation. You continue to address accreditation and sanctioned games I continue to address the fraud involved. They knowingly provided false information -

And yes BLS, post grad schools often play regular High School teams. Not uncommon at all!
Actually often times at prep schools their JV teams (normal kids, not recruits) play regular HS, the varsity play other preps.


[QUOTE=BillyTheCat] And sorry, most of their opponents knew what they were getting! Johnson Central who just cancelled on them, knew of this and knew the KHSAA was not going to sanction the game, but they chose to schedule them anyway. Massillon, Hoban, IMG, they all knew what they were getting.
Wise not to address the Pennsylvania school. That school is a far cry from the IMGs of the world and apparently were not told or aware over-aged kids were playing - per some folks I know in the Pittsburgh HS world.

Considerable fallout after 96 hours - despite it being a non-sanctioned game. More to follow,
Last Edited: 9/1/2021 7:22:41 PM by cc-cat
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BillyTheCat
9/2/2021 9:12 AM
The Bishop Sycamores are a dime a dozen, every state has these carpet baggers. This just shows you the power of ESPN, because they got embarassed they are making it news.

Hell, Elder is playing a Home School football team this week out of VA, one that got beat 66-0 to a team in Oklahoma last week. These things are all jokes!
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SBH
9/2/2021 9:55 AM
Did Trump University have a team? (Sorry.)
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Pataskala
9/7/2021 10:18 AM
I hate to beat a dead horse but this horse just won't die.

Sycamore apparently has a new football coach who now says Sycamore isn't a school, it's a "post-graduate football academy." That's probably closer to the truth. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/highschool/2021/09/... /

But it doesn't explain why this "post-graduate" academy has kids who haven't graduated HS.

It also doesn't explain why, as a football academy, they no facilities, little training, and few practices.

It's also a direct contradiction to comments last week by the school's founder and director in defense of Sycamore's academic mission.

Maybe what we have here is failure to communicate.
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