Lewisville’s state-ranked boys basketball team will forfeit four nondistrict wins after the school self-reported a violation as a result of an improperly completed Previous Athletic Participation Form, Lewisville ISD announced Thursday night.
After reaching the regional semifinals last season, Lewisville had started 4-0 this year and was ranked No. 8 in the state in Class 6A. Lewisville ISD has referred the situation to the University Interscholastic League for further review and said it can’t share additional information regarding the investigation at this time.
Head coach Mario Toby Martin and assistant coach Xavious Booker have been placed on paid administrative leave while the district completes its investigation, LISD said. Placing a staff member on leave during an investigation is a routine practice in the school district.
“We teach our athletes that when you make a mistake, you own it. A mistake was made, and we take full responsibility for that,” LISD director of athletics Cristie Liles said in a statement. “We are disappointed our own internal procedures and expectations were not followed, which has resulted in this violation of UIL rules and the forfeiture of four games. We will use this as an opportunity to reevaluate our practices and retrain our staff members to ensure this type of situation does not occur again.”
A PAPF is required by the UIL to be completed by a transfer student in order to be eligible to participate in varsity athletics. Lewisville ISD said it takes responsibility for allowing the player to participate despite the required paperwork being improperly completed, and as a result the team will forfeit the four games the player participated in and the district is conducting a thorough review of all LHS varsity basketball athletes to ensure other transfer students meet all eligibility requirements.
The district said it can’t release the name of the athlete involved.
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