The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association on Tuesday issued a Letter of Reprimand to Indian River High School in Dogsboro for a television commercial that featured numerous student-athletes and coaches.
As reported by Coastal Point executive editor Darin McCann, the football program and the individuals involved appear to have avoided any harsh penalties.
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association on Tuesday issued a Letter of Reprimand to Indian River High School in Dogsboro for a television commercial that featured numerous student-athletes and coaches.
As reported by Coastal Point executive editor Darin McCann, the football program and the individuals involved appear to have avoided any harsh penalties.
“We are appreciative of DIAA for conducting a thorough review of this matter and grateful this issue will not affect the hard work of our team, coaches and volunteers,” read a statement issued by the Indian River School District on Tuesday afternoon in response to the DIAA’s findings. “School and district officials commit to a thorough understanding of all DIAA regulations moving forward to prevent another issue arising in the future.”
According to McCann, the incident in question was reported to be a 30-second television commercial for Hershey Exteriors that included more than 20 members of the Indian River football team, along with several coaches, and was filmed at the school’s football stadium during the preseason. School officials said no money exchanged hands between the company and the school, and that Indian River’s athletic director had reached out to his peers for guidance before agreeing to the commercial.
“The investigation concluded that the involvement of student-athletes and the Head Football Coach in the commercial violated DIAA Rule 1009-2.5.1.7. which prohibits the use of student-athletes to promote or endorse commercial products through media,” according to DIAA’s statement. “While no direct compensation or benefits were provided to the students or school personnel, the participation in the commercial jeopardized the amateur status of the student-athletes.”
According to DIAA, there were two key findings: First, that the football team participated in the commercial under the supervision of the school’s athletic department; and second, that the commercial “constituted an endorsement of a commercial product.”
• A formal reprimand has been sent to Indian River High School’s administration for “insufficient oversight in preventing the violation.”
• The school must request that Draper Media/WBOC “remove the commercial from further broadcasts. A formal copy of this request must be submitted to the DIAA.”
• The school’s administration “must submit a media relations policy regarding the student-athlete endorsements within 30 days.”
Indian River, whose football team is 6-1 heading into Friday's Homecoming game, does have the right to appeal the decision if they choose to do so, by contacting DIAA’s executive director within five business days of receiving the letter, McCann reported.
