Brett Shipp actually drove to Oklahoma and followed the father of Southlake-Carroll quarterback Daxx Garman around. He saw him working. He saw him taking the boat to the lake. He saw him going to their Oklahoma home. All of this, Shipp asserts, makes it pretty certain that the Garman family had no intention of living in their Southlake rental home past Daxx’s senior year.
In other words, he came here just to play football, something he wasn’t allowed to do in Oklahoma after skirting the residency rules there, something that also skirts the UIL rules here. Oklahoma’s high school sports governing body ruled he was ineligible to play for his senior year, and made the team he played for – phenomenally, by all accounts – forfeit several games, including a district title.
But I do have questions about this – because I do know Southlake Carroll is not the only school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to be accused of recruiting, or turning a blind eye to discrepancies in residency. Several years ago, when I worked in Fannin County, a 2A school in Grayson County was accused of luring two prime running back candidates from a fellow 2A school down the road, by offering a relative a nice new rent house in that town, and a reduced price on that rent, to say those two kids lived with her now. When I worked in Prosper, the rumor was a steady drumbeat that two neighboring districts recruited all the time. So why this particular fish in the barrel?
And how fair, exactly, is it that the UIL requires the family be fully divested of their former house – in this economy? Many people end up moving to one area with a home on the market still, chosing to rent while the old abode sells. They also may leave furnishings behind because vacant homes are harder to sell. Don’t get me wrong – I do find it suspicious that the Garman family had all their personal effects still there, and it wasn’t listed as for sale, allegedly, until Shipp asked about it.
26 comments
I do not think Channel 8 would have led off thier 10 o’clock news had this not involved Southlake Carroll. I kind of feel sorry for the kid and his family. They are just trying to do the best for their son. I do not feel sorry for Southlake Carroll who is so obsessed with their football team they will do anything to win.
Yes, it is strange that a for-profit news organization wouldn’t cover this same story in an area with a smaller population and much less wealth.
Why is Carroll newsworthy when Celina and Pilot Point, the two towns I expect you are referring to, are/were not?
First, when the alleged shenanigans were rampant several years ago, just about nobody in DFW cared what went on in northern Collin and Denton counties. Most people still don’t.
Second, Carroll ISD rakes in some serious money as a direct result of the success of their football program. The smaller schools certainly see a financial benefit but not nearly as much.
The issue of degree is also apparent in lots of other ways. For example, it’s pretty hard to build a convincing news story centered around a family who relocates from Gainesville to Pilot Point or from Princeton to Celina.
Celina. Celina does it ALL the time and has since at least the late 80’s.
But Mark – both programs were helmed by one of the winningest coaches in Texas high school football history. To me, I would think that would garner some attention.
Every time I watch a Brett Shipp story I end up feeling bad for whomever he’s going after, even when it looks like they are guilty. Something about him just rubs me the wrong way. I think there is just a little too much Marty Griffin in him.
What’s the latest betting on when Brett starts wearing a helmet on ambush interviews? Maybe not a Southlake-Carroll helmet.
Bethany, it did garner attention–from the 10,000 or so people who cared. In a market of six million pairs of eyeballs, that’s not newsworthy.
The 2A schools also didn’t have to recruit superstars. Remember, even a really bad 5A team beats a really good 2A team. You likely won’t do an investigative report that centers on recruiting kids who might not even play Division II football.
As for me, I’m tired of media people getting harassed with the “But why did you write/report/broadcast about “Xxxx”, when “Yyyy” does it too?”
It’s impossible for reporters to cover every single instance of every bit of shenanigans.
And just because you got caught doing something wrong, it doesn’t make it “okay” because some other guy does it too but didn’t get caught.
This is just like what West Dillon did for Luke Cafferty! It’s got Bud Garrity’s name written all over it.
FNL humor anybody??
Surely this wasn’t an assigned topic?
D Magazine’s attack dog pecking order.
Wick > Tim > Bethany
Do I recall correctly that Tim does not like Brett?
Murmur – I didn’t so much attack Brett but ask why this particular school, when the practice is so rampant. Maybe a follow up is an order – one with the UIL on why this residency requirement doesn’t seem to have a lot of teeth. The other question was more directed at the UIL.
I think Brett Shipp did a great job with the gas couplings story – one that might just save some lives.
As for Tim not liking Brett Shipp, I’ve no idea. But I did see them engaged in a lingering hug once, so there’s that.
I really want to know who tipped Shipp off to this story. Was it a rival school or the previous starting QB’s family with an agenda?
In my opinion Shipp was nothing but a shill for the plaintiffs’ bar in the gas couplings story and this story reeked of the same. Who is his “client?” I think he should disclose it.
@Murmur: I know Brett casually and like him. However, I’ve taken issue with his work at least once. I REALLY didn’t like this report he did on some DISD teachers who ate lobster on a district trip to Canada:
http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2007/09/27/brett-shipp-and-wfaa-lazy-irresponsible-reporting-on-disd/
cisd has a top athletic program, top academic program. shame on the athletic director, coaches, board. they all turned a blind eye. why would our otherwise highly detailed and structured administration suddenly not perform due diligence when suddenly a sports phenom fell into our laps? Our district has let us down and has cheated. The students and athletes now are left to pay the price for cheating and lying adults. so sad.
So if I move my kid from another state to Texas for his senior year, even if I have no intent of staying in Texas following his graduation, the kid can’t participate in sports? I admit I have not read/watched the story, but doesn’t that seem a little crazy? I knew about the in-state transfer rule, but what is the justification for this rule?
how about HPISD?
Why is it corruption in high school football brings the apologists creeping out of the woodwork?
It’s not just football. Years ago the son of a friend was the 8th grade star of his suburban Dallas basketball team. Before 9th grade the HS basketball coach held a “clinic” and lo and behold a bunch of new “stars” were there having just transferred into the district. Many of the hometown boys who had grown up attending the games and dreaming of playing for the coach did not even make the team. It was definitely a lesson learned about Texas sports.
@Mark
Valid point about the quality of athlete. If you live in an exurb, work in Dallas, and have an undersized but talented 8th grader, then why not move to where there is an established successful program where that talent can flourish. Perhaps with the additional playing time (15-16 games per season) the 5′8″ 180# linebacker can get enough notice to pick up an athletic scholarship to a Div II school. Contrast that with 10 games per year in obscurity. Parents still work same job, just live elsewhere. Looks like recruiting, but is it? I’m not saying recruiting didn’t happen, but good programs/coaches are a magnet. FWIW, I lived in both Celina and Prosper…daughter was a dancer though.
This isn’t a recruiting story. The kid’s folks are simply trying to skirt residency rules so the kid can play someplace where he’ll be noticed. But because the family has been caught already, it’s a little hard to believe they’re on the level this time. Besides, I might understand if the family left their belongings behind and came down here to take up residence. But leaving Dad behind?
I think it is funny how everyone draws their own conclusions with out knowing all the facts! SL does have a Top Athletic and Academic program as a result of Top Administration, Teachers, Athletic Director, and Coaches! I personally feel bad for this family, and especially this student. Shame on News Channel 8 and the person who provided such information, and the Fans lack of faith! What parent wouldn’t want the best for their child and to be able to provide them with the best opportunities.
Annoyed,
If I wanted “the best” for my child, I certainly wouldn’t teach him the break the rules. I would disabuse him of the notion that high school sports is so important that it justifies uprooting the entire family. That is, if I wanted what is really the best for him. Or her.
You all are missing the point. If you watched the AD from CISD he lied and new he was lying, this is who you want to lead your children?? The player had already broken the rules in OK and move to TX to circumvent the rules? and then broke them as well and he deserves to play?? Seriously
It’s perfectly acceptable for a student to move and still participate in UIL activities. The problem is that the family cheated the system in Oklahoma and he was declaired ineligible there. To avoid punishment, they are renting a house in the CISD district so he can play. He can join the band or play baseball but he’s not allowed to play football. They cheated and this is their punishment. If allowed to play, what will everyone involved learn?
If you don’t like the rules, break them. If you get punished, throw money at the problem to avoid consequences.
I’m sorry that this may affect the teams season, but I don’t want my kid playing alongside a kid who knowingly cheated to get there.
Shame on the parents.
What a poor example for their children.