UCLA's football recruitment practices have come under scrutiny after some high school students who seem to have been part of unofficial recruitment were implicated in thefts from a Rose Bowl locker room. From the Pasadena Star-News:
Four Beaumont High School students are suspects in the Rose Bowl locker room thefts during the Oct. 28 game between Colorado and UCLA, authorities said Monday. No one has been arrested, said Lisa Derderian, spokeswoman for the city of Pasadena. Police referred the case to the District Attorney’s Office that handles juvenile cases, she added.
She couldn’t immediately confirm media reports that the suspects were recruits to UCLA and were on a visit that day. UCLA did say individuals tied to the case were not on an official visit. Beaumont Unified School District officials also did not confirm if the students are football players at the school. "We are disappointed and disheartened to hear of the alleged involvement of Beaumont High School students in the incident at the UCLA-Colorado football game on Oct. 28," Alex Sponheim, who oversees the Communications Department at the district, said in an email.
“We strive to promote strong character and integrity in our students, and the alleged actions do not represent our core values as a school, district, and community,” she said.
While the students were not at the football game as part of a school-sponsored event, Sponheim said the district is cooperating fully with Pasadena Police investigation. “As this is still an ongoing investigation, we cannot confirm anything other than that the individuals in question were not on an official visit,” UCLA Athletics said in a statement...
Full article at https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2023/11/13/4-beaumont-high-students-identified-as-suspects-in-rose-bowl-locker-room-thefts/.
An LA Times article notes that the official/unofficial visit distinction may have something to do with NCAA rules:
...The NCAA allows unlimited official visits by players to Division I schools, although only one visit is allowed per school, which can pay for transportation to and from the campus, lodging throughout the visit, three meals a day and three tickets to a home sports event. Often, players from high schools near a university take unofficial visits...
Full story at https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-11-14/stolen-valuables-recovered-ucla-colorado-game-rose-bowl-beaumont-high-recruits-police.
Also from the LA Times:
...UCLA provides security to the home and visitor locker rooms during games at the Rose Bowl... [UCLA football coach Chip]Kelly said “a lot” of recruits were at the game and the Rose Bowl gives them badges to identify themselves...
Full story at https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-11-14/stolen-valuables-recovered-ucla-colorado-game-rose-bowl-beaumont-high-recruits-police.
No comments:
Post a Comment