High School Sports: The Truth About Cheating and Who Says It
In recent months a wave of complaints has hit the City Section’s commissioner. Students, parents and coaches have been sending emails and calling in to say that teams broke rules during the soccer playoffs. The result? Five or maybe six teams had to forfeit games.
A Culture of Delay
The problem is that people often wait until the playoffs are in motion before they speak up. They hold back information for weeks, hoping to see if their favorite team will suffer a loss. That delay is unfair and hurts everyone.
The Root of Cheating
High‑school sports today face rumors that boosters pay for tuition or arrange jobs to lure families. These tactics create an unfair advantage, known as undue influence.
When teams are caught cheating, the usual excuses are:
- “It’s for the kids.”
- “Everyone does it.”
- “The end justifies the means.”
These are not excuses. School leaders should know the difference between right and wrong, and they must enforce rules even if it means losing a winning streak.
Blame Games
Blaming the media for not covering these stories or the commissioners for favoritism only shifts the problem. Rules themselves may be outdated, especially as college programs change. Yet high schools set those rules.
The Transfer Conundrum
Transfers have been part of the conversation for decades, but last year alone there were more than 17 000 statewide moves. Most are legal and involve no recruiting. Problems arise when families try to dodge the rules by moving without a real change of residence.
Coach Accountability
Coaches are expected to know the regulations. They receive training before hiring, and they must enforce rule 600 about playing in outside leagues during the season. Failure to do so shows a lack of knowledge or willful ignorance.
Why City Section Is the Hot Spot
Most violations surface in the City Section because many schools belong to the Los Angeles Unified School District. The district can investigate more easily than in other sections, where schools must police themselves.
The Price of Silence
Those who speak out are often called “tattletales” or “snitches.” Yet without brave voices, the corruption in high‑school sports will continue. A clean system requires people willing to expose wrongdoing.
