Lexington (Ky.) Catholic High School terminated president Rob Rumpke after discovering his role in third-party donors paying partial tuition for five newly enrolled student-athletes, a Kentucky High School Athletic Association violation.
According to The News Enterprise, the Catholic Diocese of Lexington and superintendent of schools Miranda Chaplin announced Rumpke’s departure at the end of last week. Prior to the public announcement, families were informed via email and the school self-reported the violation to KHSAA.
While none of the student-athletes involved had actually played on Lexington Catholic High School athletics teams yet, the KHSAA has still said there would be a full review process. The violation was discovered following an internal review process.
“Upon learning about this matter, the Superintendent of Schools, Miranda Chaplin took immediate steps to self-report the situation to KHSAA,” said the Diocese in a statement. “LCHS is cooperating fully with KHSAA and will continue to follow all applicable review processes and guidance.”
Rumpke served as president of Lexington Catholic High School beginning in 2023. Prior to that role he had worked as an executive consultant to the school and was an assistant football coach for 25 years.
Lexington Catholic High School’s athletics director and head volleyball coach had also recently resigned from their positions, but it is believed that those departures were for unrelated reasons. Chaplin confirmed that the former athletics director had been offered a job at an unnamed school, and the volleyball coach accepted an offer to coach for a club, rather than the school.
“Lexington Catholic High School takes compliance with KHSAA bylaws seriously and remains committed to upholding the mission, core values, and integrity of our school and the community in which it serves,” Chaplin said in a statement. “We acted promptly to self-report this matter and will continue to work transparently with KHSAA.”
