What led to Myrtle Beach school sports fine? Here’s what internal emails show
Myrtle Beach High School had more than 350 student athletes participating in sports last school year with missing or late eligibility paperwork, according to internal Horry County Schools communications.
The substantial eligibility issues, self-reported by the district to the South Carolina High School League, led to a $7,750 fine and appears to be connected to the administrative leave and subsequent resignation of the MBHS athletic director, those communications show.
John Cahill was placed on paid leave May 7 “due to failure to complete job responsibilities,” according to a letter in his personnel file. He later resigned his position, effective June 30, but remains employed with the HCS as a teacher in Adult Education, according to district spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier.
A written breakdown of the MBHS eligibility issues, acquired by The Sun News through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows a lengthy list spanning more than a dozen teams including football, competitive cheer, wrestling, and boys and girls track and field.
The issues include missing eligibility certificates, eligibility forms submitted after the student athlete already participated and incomplete transfer paperwork, according to the breakdown.
Three ineligible student athletes participated for MBHS in wrestling and junior varsity football, requiring the school to forfeit any contests in which they participated, according to a letter from SCHSL Deputy Commissioner Charlie Wentzky.
The sports league initially issued a $10,250 fine, according to the July 17 letter, but Commissioner Jerome Singleton agreed to reduce the fine by $2,500 after MBHS appealed.
MBHS Principal Kristin Altman wrote in the school’s appeal that a “thorough investigation” was conducted in regard to Cahill’s responsibilities related to the issues, and he has since resigned.
Joe Quigley is currently listed as MBHS interim athletic director.
