Ascot State Athletics Under Federal and NCAA Investigation

by John Scott / Prescott Tri-County Democrat sports editor
reprint of Thursday, May 29, 2008 article

As the news broke Wednesday morning that Ascot State athletics were under federal investigation, Coach Tont was addressing his team in the baseball locker rooms: "Boys, now we've played a really great season so far, and I don't want any of this to get into your heads before regionals. We're still going to practice, and play hard, whether it's at Yavapai Field or somewhere else."

Government sources report that during an April 12th baseball game against instate rival Flagstaff State, the opposing pitcher complained that the mound was "too tall". After a close 7-6 loss, Coach Francisco of the Tomahawks made a formal complaint to the NCAA. Two weeks later, the NCAA sent an official to make a follow up study. Upon investigation, he found that the pitchers mound was indeed six inches above regulation. When he recommended that the groundskeepers make the appropriate adjustments immediately, the school refused. Under the threat of sanctions against the team, Ascot State AD Chris Walker finally approved the request.

However, while conducting the initial stages of leveling the mound, bits of Native American artifacts were unearthed. The project was immediately halted and the local authorities were notified. Upon further examination, the pitchers mound was discovered, in fact, to be the site of a 13th century Navajo burial mound. Federal authorities have been called in to further examine the site and to determine if Ascot State officials had any prior knowledge of the situation.

In a press release, AD Chris Walker said the following, "I would like to assure the Prescott community that we, here at Ascot State, had no prior knowledge of this matter whatsoever. We are doing everything within our power to work with the FBI and the NCAA to correct the issue."

All of this comes as the ASU Navajos prepare to host the first round of the NCAA Division IV baseball tournament Friday through Monday. A representative from the NCAA Division IV Baseball Commission admitted that it was already "too late for any changes in the host selections" but that it was uncertain whether the games would be played "at the school or somewhere else." When questioned about this, Walker replied that "the games definitively will not be played at Yavapai Field. However, other accommodations are currently being explored."

The list of other possible tournament sites is rather short. Beginning in late April, the local high school's baseball facilities have been under construction making them unusable. The Ascot State head baseball coach mentioned the possibility of playing on the team's practice field, a partially paved parking lot. Another option is the university's softball field, but permission from the NCAA must first be secured.

In the immediate future, the baseball team has been given the 'ok' to continue its season, but the NCAA has made it very clear in an official statement that they are "actively reviewing the matter and gathering information before we make our final ruling." Possible sanctions may include: the loss of scholarships, probation, or even the death penalty (the temporary termination of a particular sport) has been left on the table.