In the News: the Pisapias
Another feature of the Young Married's Blog will be the "In the News" articles, which will feature links and stories about Young Marrieds from the class who have been recognized by the media in some fashion.
This week, John Pisapia was quoted by the Union Tribune in an article about his Serra Conquistadors varsity boys basketball team being denied entry in the CIF playoffs due to a player eligibility issue. The Article is copied below and can be read online here.
This situation and process was an obviously difficult and trying experience for the Pisapia family, and we ask that you keep them and their students in your prayers this week. Here's the article:
Basketball committee busts Q's for an ineligible player
By Steve BrandUNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 19, 2006
As John Pisapia studied the board with the 16 Division II boys basketball playoff teams, a look of anguish crossed his face.
Serra High was nowhere to be found.
Stunned, the Conquistadors coach stood at the back of the room at the San Diego County Office of Education, staring in disbelief, checking again to make sure he didn't miss it the first time.
The San Diego Section's 17-member basketball playoff committee determined Serra, which had a 25-2 record before being forced to forfeit 19 games for using an ineligible player, would not be advancing.
The committee voted against the Q's despite the City Conference and San Diego Section Commissioner Dennis Ackerman recommending, after a lengthy investigation, that Serra could be eligible to be considered for postseason play.
“The vote was unanimous,” said Hilltop coach Chuck Vallero, a committee member whose Lancers are seeded No. 3 in Division II. “The (section) has rules and in this case, the committee could not get enough information (to allow Serra into the playoffs).”
Because of privacy laws, the committee was not privy to the same information as the City Conference or the section.
Although none of the committee members denied that Serra, which was seeking the No. 1 seed, was one of the best teams in Division II, it appears they could only vote on the Q's current record, which at 8-19 was not good enough to qualify.
The No. 16 seed, Oceanside, was 10-17.
“I don't think this is over,” said Pisapia. “This is crazy. It's all about the kids. We did everything we were asked and both the City Conference and section office agreed (they were playoff eligible).
“We went from a high yesterday of thinking we'd be in the playoffs to a crushing realization we aren't in. What is that teaching these kids? I fully expect our parents to consider taking legal action.”
The seeding procedure calls for coaches to nominate their teams by giving a one-minute explanation of why they think their squads should be in the playoffs and where the teams should be seeded.
In this case, 17 teams indicated interest in 16 Division II berths.
The room was then cleared and the panel cast a secret written vote, listing the teams from No. 1 to No. 17. The No. 1 team received one point, No. 2 two points, and so on. The school receiving the fewest points was the No. 1 seed. The team with the most points, Serra, was eliminated.
Members of the media, which were allowed in the room during votes for the other nine divisions, were asked to leave for the boys Division II vote.
San Pasqual High eventually was selected as the No. 1 seed. The Eagles posted a 28-0 record after their lone blemish, a 75-52 setback to Serra, was erased by the forfeits.
“Serra shouldn't be in,” San Pasqual High coach Rich Sullivan, not a member of the seeding committee, said before the vote was revealed. “If 16 others followed the rules, so should they. If I'd been asked to forfeit 19 games, I wouldn't be here.
“Morse (which forfeited six games and did not qualify for the playoffs) took the high road, so should Serra.
“That said, there are going to be 15 disappointed kids, no matter what. Serra is a good squad. I feel sorry for their kids.”
The boys basketball playoffs begin Tuesday, with the girls starting Wednesday.
***As a side note, the Pisapia family shared some great news with the class this week when we learned that they are expecting their first child this September. As John knows well, September babies are by far the most intelligent and best looking, so nice work there.
From all of us, a heartfelt congratulations and blessings to them as they start this next phase of their lives and marriage.
This week, John Pisapia was quoted by the Union Tribune in an article about his Serra Conquistadors varsity boys basketball team being denied entry in the CIF playoffs due to a player eligibility issue. The Article is copied below and can be read online here.
This situation and process was an obviously difficult and trying experience for the Pisapia family, and we ask that you keep them and their students in your prayers this week. Here's the article:
Basketball committee busts Q's for an ineligible player
By Steve BrandUNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
February 19, 2006
As John Pisapia studied the board with the 16 Division II boys basketball playoff teams, a look of anguish crossed his face.
Serra High was nowhere to be found.
Stunned, the Conquistadors coach stood at the back of the room at the San Diego County Office of Education, staring in disbelief, checking again to make sure he didn't miss it the first time.
The San Diego Section's 17-member basketball playoff committee determined Serra, which had a 25-2 record before being forced to forfeit 19 games for using an ineligible player, would not be advancing.
The committee voted against the Q's despite the City Conference and San Diego Section Commissioner Dennis Ackerman recommending, after a lengthy investigation, that Serra could be eligible to be considered for postseason play.
“The vote was unanimous,” said Hilltop coach Chuck Vallero, a committee member whose Lancers are seeded No. 3 in Division II. “The (section) has rules and in this case, the committee could not get enough information (to allow Serra into the playoffs).”
Because of privacy laws, the committee was not privy to the same information as the City Conference or the section.
Although none of the committee members denied that Serra, which was seeking the No. 1 seed, was one of the best teams in Division II, it appears they could only vote on the Q's current record, which at 8-19 was not good enough to qualify.
The No. 16 seed, Oceanside, was 10-17.
“I don't think this is over,” said Pisapia. “This is crazy. It's all about the kids. We did everything we were asked and both the City Conference and section office agreed (they were playoff eligible).
“We went from a high yesterday of thinking we'd be in the playoffs to a crushing realization we aren't in. What is that teaching these kids? I fully expect our parents to consider taking legal action.”
The seeding procedure calls for coaches to nominate their teams by giving a one-minute explanation of why they think their squads should be in the playoffs and where the teams should be seeded.
In this case, 17 teams indicated interest in 16 Division II berths.
The room was then cleared and the panel cast a secret written vote, listing the teams from No. 1 to No. 17. The No. 1 team received one point, No. 2 two points, and so on. The school receiving the fewest points was the No. 1 seed. The team with the most points, Serra, was eliminated.
Members of the media, which were allowed in the room during votes for the other nine divisions, were asked to leave for the boys Division II vote.
San Pasqual High eventually was selected as the No. 1 seed. The Eagles posted a 28-0 record after their lone blemish, a 75-52 setback to Serra, was erased by the forfeits.
“Serra shouldn't be in,” San Pasqual High coach Rich Sullivan, not a member of the seeding committee, said before the vote was revealed. “If 16 others followed the rules, so should they. If I'd been asked to forfeit 19 games, I wouldn't be here.
“Morse (which forfeited six games and did not qualify for the playoffs) took the high road, so should Serra.
“That said, there are going to be 15 disappointed kids, no matter what. Serra is a good squad. I feel sorry for their kids.”
The boys basketball playoffs begin Tuesday, with the girls starting Wednesday.
***As a side note, the Pisapia family shared some great news with the class this week when we learned that they are expecting their first child this September. As John knows well, September babies are by far the most intelligent and best looking, so nice work there.
From all of us, a heartfelt congratulations and blessings to them as they start this next phase of their lives and marriage.
posted by Administrator at 4:25 PM
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