El Cerrito HS football players claim school officials followed them home amid eligibility controversy

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(KRON) — The El Cerrito High School football team has forfeited multiple games this season amid controversy about players’ eligibility, according to a letter written by the “ECHS football family” obtained by KRON4. A petition has been started to fire school principal Malcolm Norrington, who the team says is behind the forfeits.

The letter alleges a litany of complaints against Norrington and the West Contra Costa Unified School District, including intimidating and threatening student-athletes.

The scandal involves the eligibility of certain players. The letter claims that players were deemed ineligible by the school even though they were cleared by the North Coast Section.

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“Throughout these difficulties, there has been a noticeable lack of support from district management in addressing the mental health and well-being of our players and coaches,” the letter said. “We have been left to pick up the pieces on our own, trying to navigate these challenges without the necessary support and guidance.”

MaxPreps currently shows ECHS’ record as 1-6. Five of those losses are listed as forfeits. Players claim they found out about the forfeits by coaches at other schools. ECHS has been one of the better teams in its district in recent years, combining to lose just three games over the last two seasons.

The district’s investigation was initiated by WCCUSD’s superintendent, not Norrington, according to WCCUSD. It was put into place because the district received “credible information regarding possible ineligibility issues related to the ECHS football program.”

“As a member of California Interscholastic Federation, the District is required to adhere to specific guidelines, including the obligation to immediately investigate information received. This process allows the District to address any concerns proactively and transparently,” WCCUSD Superintendent Kenneth Hurst said.

The team’s head coach has been suspended twice by the school, the letter says. Students held a walk-out in support of their coaches.

Players report that Norrington threatened to bench the players and take away offers handed out to them by colleges. School district staffers have also “interrogated” students about where they live and followed them home to verify their address, the letter said.

KRON4 has made contact with Norrington but has yet to receive comment. WCCUSD provided the following statement:

“The District is aware of the ongoing investigation regarding student athlete eligibility within the El Cerrito High School football program. We are committed to ensuring a thorough and fair review of the situation. As this is an active investigation, we cannot provide further details at this time. We appreciate your understanding as we work to uphold the integrity of our athletic programs and comply with all necessary regulations.

We recognize how important our athletic programs are to our community and the impact these events have on our students and families. Rest assured, the District is committed to following the appropriate NCS protocols and will take all necessary actions to address any current or future issues that arise. The District will continue to work with the Tri-County Athletic League and North Coast Section to uphold the integrity of our athletic programs while adhering to all necessary regulations.“

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Phil Mayer

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