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DISD Admits 2006 State Champ High School Team Cheated

By Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-669097.mp3

Dallas, TX – Bill Zeeble: In the 2005-06 school year, the South Oak Cliff Golden Bears played with an ineligible player. Kendrake Johnigan's failing English grade of 50 was upped to a 73 before the regional tournament began. The change made him eligible to play on the team that won the championship.

Dr. Hinojosa: As former basketball player/coach, this is painful for me.

DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa
Hinojosa: I know how important it is to win, but we must win within the rules. Changing grades and therefore depriving a student of getting an education in order to make a student eligible to participate won't be tolerated.

Zeeble: Hinojosa ways he'll hire an outside firm to independently review academic & athletic program integrity, so this won't happen again. He says some South Oak Cliff administrators involved in faking the grades are no longer at the school. Bill Zeeble KERA news.