Witch Hunt commented on September 1, 2012 at 7:52 p.m.: report abuse

I hear the shredders are humming right now in Delray Beach as the FHSAA party train will be rolling into town soon as a former coach is blowing the whistle big time and rolling over !

Unfortunate commented on September 1, 2012 at 7:54 p.m.: report abuse

The summer school transcript should have raised flags because who is going to pay for a private school's summer school program (even a real one) when you have FLVS for free. A student can take courses on FLVS for free for grade forgiveness, so paying for it at a private school would have set off alarms for me. Lesson: When anything looks funny, err on the side of the athletic program at that school until all facts are in so we don't have to penalize an entire team of kids for one's unintentional mistake, dishonesty, etc.

Shady commented on September 1, 2012 at 8:01 p.m.: report abuse

These adults are only looking out for themselves. They knew better than to play that kid. According to this story, Dwyer was letting the kid play until they verified if the transcript was real. How hard would it be to call Lake Worth and find out if it was real? Once they knew it wasn't, he shouldn't play. The end. They could do that well before the start of the season. The whole thing is shady on Dwyer's part.

Same ole story commented on September 1, 2012 at 8:44 p.m.: report abuse

How many times can Dwyer get away with things like this??? Last year the baseball incident, now this with false transcripts??? If they were really on the up and up they would have re-tested the kid as soon as his grades came in to question. If he really had been taking summer school classes he should have been able to pass the classes again....right????? It seems pretty simple to me, why does Dwyer keep getting special treatment???? They don't deserve it.

mary commented on September 1, 2012 at 8:53 p.m.: report abuse

Dear Unfortunate--Students who struggle in high school will struggle even more to pass FLVS courses as they require a lot of reading. Try an FLVS chemistry or English class and you'll see. Students who are below a 2.0 generally don't read well enough or they wouldn't have that problem. They need to take a class in school where they can get credit for just showing up (like most schools in Palm Beach County) I agree with Shady--How hard would it have been to call Lake Worth Christian? Basically his transcript was NEVER verified.

sportsfan commented on September 1, 2012 at 9:58 p.m.: report abuse

ironic, that after all the accusations about recruiting and such, THIS is what takes Dwyer down?

school board to blame commented on September 1, 2012 at 10:02 p.m.: report abuse

Academics plain and simple come down to administration. When transcripts are not valid its a administration issue. FHSAA govern school sports. Set a list or regulations for every school sports team to meet. Head coach must rely on administration to do their job, and this goes to the school board. School board better step up and make things right. Why is it a student is even able to attend a seperate school for summer school? He should have been made to attend Dwyer or Gardens not some third party school. In the end there was a lot of kids who gave there blood sweat and tears for that team and season. Hey school board its a voteing year.

Panther commented on September 1, 2012 at 10:08 p.m.: report abuse

I am a graduate of Dwyer high school. And coach Daniels or the Administration would never do anything wrong on purpose just to win games. Sorry we have one of the best teams in the area and win. That's because of a little something called hard work and talent. We don't know the whole story so back off. Unless you went to Dwyer or know the people involved personally, I suggest you don't judge. Stripping the 2011 team of all their wins is the wrong thing to do and would be a hasty judgement. It's a 17 year old kid were talking about here who may or may not have known he was making a mistake. Whatever happens with last years records we know that we deserved and earned those wins.

@funny commented on September 1, 2012 at 11:16 p.m.: report abuse

actually you nitwit you can look at where Johnnie Dixon lives and he is zoned for Dwyer. So shut up unless you know what you are talking about you moron. Clint Stephens is at Dwyer on a magnet. Shut up. All players at Dwyer are there legally and all have the necessary grades to play. You are affiliated with one of those teams that Dwyer beats up on every year. keep getting your a$$ kicked and crying about it instead of making your team better

Jealous commented on September 2, 2012 at 12:55 a.m.: report abuse

Dwyer is on top and has been for years because of coach Daniels! I played for him and struggled with grades he spent time with me one on one after hours to help me understand my HW or anything i was struggling with I also was not aloud to play in games if I didn't complete school work or started to have my grades drop oh and I was a starter on the field. He was a great mentor to me and hundreds of other children. My point is that Coach D. Has the best interest in all the kids and if you have been around him for just 10 mins. you would quickly know he is a man that has a huge heart and a great role model not only for his athletes but the children in All of his classes that he dedicates his life to helping. Dwyer football is on top year after year and nobody in the district can beat them on the field so they try to beat them off the field desperate. What I'm trying to say is if Coach Daniels new this kid was intelligible he would'nt put him on the field. Why? Because he doesn't give free passes that's not his style and that wouldn't help this kid later in life and that's what Jack Daniels is all about making a difference preparing young adults for bigger things.

It is what it is commented on September 2, 2012 at 4:20 a.m.: report abuse

What Dwyer does not realize is that it they are being held responsible because you played a player without knowing for a fact if his transcrips were legit.You should have not played him at all. You took the risk and choose to still play this player.. Its not about rather you were in some master plan working with the person from Forest Hill. Maybe you had nothing to do with the creation of the fake Transcripts, but you took a risk by letting him play until the documents were verified. Once you realized it, you reported it, thats good, but you let him hit the field not knowing. AT LEAST YOUR STAFF WAS SUSPICIOUS BEFORE HAND AND QUESTIONED THE TRANSCRIPS SO THAT WAS YOUR SIGN RIGHT THERE TO SAY TO YOUR SELF, WE BETTER NOT LET HIM PLAY UNTIL WE KNOW FOR SURE. I feel bad because it affects whole team, but the rules are the rules, look what happened to Armwood, their games were taken for ineligible players,same thing...they did not know these players were not in the district turning in fake proof of address (then again they could have known ,but the WIN was more important).and they let these kids play without waiting and letting FHSAA investigate.Sometimes the coaches/school want these kids to play so bad, they take the risk for a win. Dwyer is no different. I wish you well in your appeal.

Callin B.S. commented on September 2, 2012 at 8:08 a.m.: report abuse

“They said until we know if it’s real or fake, err on the side of the child,”

I'm calling B.S. on this statement for several reasons. 1) Who is "they"? Certainly Dwyer is going to attach an actual name to the person(s) from the district they are claiming gave them this advice when they make the appeal. The "they" card ain't gonna cut it otherwise. 2) The FSHAA actually works on the reverse of this alleged advice. Schools should err on the side of being absolutely certain before playing a suspected ineligible player. The "they" at the district office would know this. 3) The only "they" at the district I can think this may be is Yetta Greene since there is no other office at the district to deal with athletics, and I know Yetta would never give that advice. Come to think of it, is Dwyer getting ready to throw Yetta under the bus?

Shame commented on September 2, 2012 at 11:14 a.m.: report abuse

FHSAA should be looking into AH Delray. How do they get away with having two schools one one campus. The Academy is for athletes who can't make it in the high school and receive special help from the teachers including longer test times, individual instruction and tutoring. FHSAA clearly dictates that Athletes should not receive preferential treatment in the classroom that is not available to other students.

Wow- commented on September 2, 2012 at 11:39 a.m.: report abuse

Bada and 7 of 22 on the same forum. Same posts over and over. Nobody laughs. Nobody cares. Niether of you ever bring anything to the table. Get some new material. "DEW"

Just Starting commented on September 2, 2012 at 12:16 p.m.: report abuse

The school district will not investigate this... Most of this wrong doing started when Wayne Gent was principal and Jack Caracuzzo was an AP. I hope the state investigates further and uncovers all the problems there.

A RADIER MOM... commented on September 2, 2012 at 12:44 p.m.: report abuse

EVEN IF THE KID WAS INELIGIBLE TO PLAY THEY STILL DON'T DESERVE TO BE STRIPPED OF THEIR GAMES, THEY ARE BEING PUNISHED ENOUGH. DEAL WITH THE ONE THAT HAD CONTROL OVER IT. THE KID IS NOT THE BLAME.....

WHERE IS DUDECK? commented on September 2, 2012 at 12:54 p.m.: report abuse

WHERE IS THE CULPRIT ..MICHEAL DUDECK..HE SHOULD BE THE FOCUS.

Riviera Beach commented on September 2, 2012 at 12:57 p.m.: report abuse

Who the heck are these investigators for the fshaa. They already took state chips away from Armwood and Miami Central. Now a district and regional chip from Dwyer. My question is what the heck takes so long. The Miami Central QB was in question before the season started. Yet they let him play and then take away. What about all the other players on these teams!!!!!! They lose their whole high school experience because of one player. Education is suppose to be about the children and to me this hurting way more children then helping. Taking away Dwyers win won't change anything anyways. How in the world does a man who is apart of Forest Hill have anything to do with Dwyer. Just School Board trying to cover up their own butts again. Did Forest Hill or any of the other school with players who went to this summer school lose victories? Plain Dumb!!!! Dwyer went to the school board and they could have said the player can't play. Dwyer didn't play him this season because they had an idea. They would have done the same thing last season. Taking away wins is dumb. The adults involved should be the only ones effected. An for the rest of the county. Dwyer now has another chip on their shoulders. You can thank the state for the whippings that are going to be handed out.

dudeck story listed commented on September 2, 2012 at 1:42 p.m.: report abuse

Ex-Forest Hill assistant football coach calls his arrest, charges a 'complete surprise'

Wednesday, July 25, 2012
by Allison Ross Jeff Greer

Michael Dudeck’s arrest for two felony counts of falsifying documents and receiving unlawful compensation shocked the Palm Beach County School District and many of his former colleagues and employers. But no one was more surprised than Dudeck himself, who said Wednesday that he “had no idea” authorities were investigating him.

The 55-year-old former high school teacher and coach is accused of fudging high school transcripts for one Dwyer High School and three Forest Hill High School football players so they would be athletically eligible for the 2011 season, a charge that caught Dudeck off-guard.

“I’ll be getting a lawyer,” Dudeck said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon. He added that, “Unfortunately, I’ve been told not to talk to anybody right now.

“I don’t know what’s happening,” he said. “(Tuesday) was a surprise, and everything so far has been a complete surprise to me.”

Yet some close to the investigation weren’t surprised. Robert Hook, who runs Lake Worth Christian School in Boynton Beach, released a statement Wednesday detailing his school’s involvement with Dudeck, a longtime area football and softball coach, saying he expected Dudeck’s arrest “for a while.”

In a seven-page probable cause affidavit, the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office alleges that Dudeck listed Lake Worth Christian as the site for his summer-hours tutoring company, The Knowledge Zone, despite never using the space after receiving permission from Hook.

Dudeck’s alleged scheme began to unravel last September when a Forest Hill High guidance counselor contacted Hook to verify the summer-school hours reported on a student-athlete’s transcript that was signed by Dudeck, who claimed to be Lake Worth Christian’s summer-school director. Hook said the documents, which featured Lake Worth Christian’s letterhead and school identification number, were false. Hook immediately reported the incident to the Boynton Beach Police Department.

“The ‘transcript’ was false in its entirety,” Hook said. “The student named on the ‘transcript’ had not participated in any LWCS school program in 2011, nor at any other time. Michael Dudeck has never been a summer school director at LWCS.

“This falsification of our school information was without our knowledge or permission,” Hook said in the statement.

How Dudeck’s alleged actions will ultimately affect those students whose transcripts are involved is a question that the school district was still wrestling with Wednesday, according to Superintendent Wayne Gent.

“This is something we’re working on right now,” Gent said, as he headed into Wednesday’s a school board meeting.

Meanwhile, a slightly clearer picture of Dudeck, of Delray Beach, emerged Wednesday as more details of his arrest and past came out.

He was employed for four months this year as an ESE teacher at Forest Hill High before he was “non-reappointed” by the school district on June 9, School District spokesman Nat Harrington said Wednesday.

Dudeck, who is out on $6,000 bond,was an assistant football coach at Forest Hill High, and the head softball coach at Palm Beach Central High School. Forest Hill administrators told head football coach Chris Kokell that Dudeck could not be retained as an assistant coach for the 2012 season, but didn’t explain.

Dudeck was Pope John Paul II High School’s football coach for one season, in 2007, and coached softball at American Heritage, Lake Worth Christian, North Broward Prep and Spanish River. None of the administrators reached Wednesday were aware of his arrest or his previous financial troubles, which includes a 2009 bankruptcy filing.

“He wasn’t ever in trouble with us,” said Spanish River Athletic Director Kevin McEnroe, who supervised Dudeck from 2005-09. “Eligibility packets, especially with off-campus coaches, are always a hassle, but I didn’t red-flag him or anything like that. There was no reason to.”

Yet there remains mystery surrounding Dudeck’s tutoring company, which dissolved in September 2011, right around the beginning of the state attorney’s investigation.

Kokell refused to comment, while Dwyer head football coach Jack Daniels,Dwyer Athletic Director Tom Pagley, former Dwyer Principal Joseph Lee, former Forest Hill Athletic Director Kristi Goodman and current Forest Hill Principal Mary Stratos didn’t return phone calls Wednesday.

The teachers listed on the false transcripts — Boynton Beach Charter School teachers Brad Pess and Robin Smith-House — could not be reached, either, though they told investigators they had never worked for Dudeck or any of the students in question.

The status and class of the student-athletes, whose names were blacked out in the probable cause affidavit, remains unknown, though at least one Forest Hill football player admitted to investigators that he played in several 2011 games. Three Forest Hill players in total were dismissed from the team after their falsified transcripts were discovered.

The Florida High School Athletic Association, which would enforce punishments against any schools using ineligible athletes, had not received any information from the state attorney’s office regarding the investigation. But spokesman Corey Sobers said he’d assume his organization would be in contact with the state in the coming days.

“We weren’t aware of any of this,” Sobers said. “We weren’t investigating the schools or anything like that. We hadn’t heard anything about it.”

.

Think before you speak! commented on September 2, 2012 at 2:38 p.m.: report abuse

People are always looking for reasons to ride Dwyer all the time regaurdless what it is this just comes with the territory of being at the top. The thing that's sick about this whole thing is that it is unfair that they're trying to strip these kids and the coaches of their hard work. 2012 was a rebuilding year for that program and nothing about that season was easy for them, so regurdless of what happens they know that they worked their butts off and earn thoes wins.

7 of 22 commented on September 2, 2012 at 4:59 p.m.: report abuse

First the Post documented the ways of Dwyer and now the FHSAA labels them cheaters. Doesn't matter how you claim you earned your wins or what kind of chips you like to put on your shoulders. Cheats.....end of story.

@No Appeal commented on September 2, 2012 at 5:49 p.m.: report abuse

1) I believe they have a strong case for their appeal. I'm not sure they will win but they do have a strong case. The information that Lee had made the kid eligible. There could have been legal sanctions if the student wasn't allowed to play.

*Lee won't give the name of the person at the district that gave the ok because that isn't the professional thing to do. That name will be given to FHSAA. Nat Harrington, the spokesperson for the school district, has already released a statement saying that the school district cleared the student to play.

2) Jack was interviewed by the paper you knothead. He answered questions and told them the situation. He told the truth. He didn't say anything detrimental.

3) You must not have passed the FCAT. The DISTRICT told Dwyer to err to the side of the kid and let him play. All the information that Dwyer had was that the kid was eligible. To not let him play would have been wrong.

STATECHAMPdBLOCK commented on September 2, 2012 at 7:03 p.m.: report abuse

AND I BET YALL ARE GONNA SAY THAT WE PROBABLY RECRUIT ATHLETES WHO COME FROM OUT OF STATE TOO! MAN DWYER DOESNT HAVE TO DO ANY RECRUITING AND NEVER HAS, THE TEAM SPEAKS FOR ITSELF! KIDS WANNA BE RECOGNIZED BY SCOUTS AND THEYRE NOT GONNA BE RECOGNIZED AT FORREST HILL, OR INLET GROVE, OR JUPITER, I CAN KEEP NAMING SCHOOLS.

Maine West commented on September 2, 2012 at 8:22 p.m.: report abuse

I do not want anyone to take it the wrong way but, I wish the best for Dwyer. I am for Royal Palm to win. However, Royal Palm is Dwyer rivalry so, we want you at your best when we play you. You beat us last year so, we need to fix the problem this year.

Metal Rules commented on September 2, 2012 at 10:11 p.m.: report abuse

nyone else see a pattern developing?

High School sports are broken commented on September 3, 2012 at 6:09 a.m.: report abuse

I said it before re the SFC post.........This is part of that discussion. Until this mess gets fixed its all broken.

Sad all the way around.

Sad for the kid who could of been a stud on a great Gardens team
Sad for the Dwyer kids of 2011
Sad for Daniels to be dragged down like t his
Sad for Lee to have his career tainted like this.

SAD SAD SAD

Outsider commented on September 3, 2012 at 10:54 a.m.: report abuse

Players in magnet not completing what other magnets students have to complete
Out of zone players
Cheating on SAT, ACT
Now academic fraud
pee in the bucket
Come on , if outsiders know about this, why doesn't admin.coaches, you can't ignore when bad people are involved innyour athletic program. Clean it up

People don't report these issues because they don't want to hurt the kids, that are making adolescent mistakes through unscrupolis adults and because the FHSAA ' s burden of proof is very difficult

Dwyer Cheats! commented on September 3, 2012 at 3:06 p.m.: report abuse

Everybody knows Dwyer cheats and they always get away with it. This time will be no different. The Superintendent (former Dwyer Principal) personally signed off on Johnny Dixson's transfer so he could transfer in time to play for Dwyer. As for the magnet program, spots are supposed to be for all students. However, Dwyer holds spots for athletes to recruit them in time for any season last minute. This is not fair to students who do not play sports. Just one of the many examples of how Dwyer cheats and makes a mockery of the system.

Just A Fan commented on September 3, 2012 at 8:58 p.m.: report abuse

Do all of you out there not realize that magnet schools create these issues? It is not just with football. It is within the entire magnet program and all the sports and academic programs. Football just happens to be so important. The magnet programs have hurt all the local schools and their local students. They have taught the students and their families how to move out of their districts and cheat. What a great teaching lesson folks !!!!!!!!

nunya commented on September 3, 2012 at 10:24 p.m.: report abuse

Dwyers athletes can do whatever they want at that school. Dwyers a joke of a school

@John Simpson commented on September 4, 2012 at 7:02 a.m.: report abuse

What has Jack been dishonest about? What has he lied about? How has he cheated? Everyone makes these accusations all the time but no one ever has any proof. Until you come up with some proof or decide to become a man and confront Jack about it, shut your trap.

Riviera Beach commented on September 4, 2012 at 9:35 a.m.: report abuse

It;s funny how people will get on blogs and make all these accusations. They usually have no clue what their talking about. Jack Daniels will go down as one of if not the best head coach this county has ever seen. I said it before once Jack and his crew stop coaching Palm Beach County will fall off the radar big school wise. This level of success never happened before and most likely won't happen again. Gardens was the only program close and guess what they are Riviera Beach boys too. But you can't win with just talent(see Atlantic and PBC). Coaching makes all the difference. In game adjustments. Dwyer's team always seems very well prepared. The Will Likely game plan was great. Heck this staff went toe to toe with St. Thomas and Manatte last year. Two elite programs with great coaching. STA is widely consider best coaching and program in nation. These things go hand and hand. In the end I feel sorry for the haters. Because if your a high school football fan, you are missing out on great high school ball.

^^^^^^^^ commented on September 4, 2012 at 10:24 a.m.: report abuse

You are truley a wack job. No one has done less with more talent than the Dwyer staff except maybe Glades Central. Not a bigger cheater in PBC and the FHSAA is only scratching the surface by taking away their wins for 2011.

@^^^^^^^^^^^ commented on September 4, 2012 at 11:08 a.m.: report abuse

Who has Dwyer lost too? Miami Northwestern, Tampa Plant, Armwood, Manatee. When Dwyer lost to these schools they were all ranked high in the country nationally. Those games could have gone either way. No other big school in the county has been consistently that good for this long. Dwyer coaching staff does a great job. That's why good players want to go there. They know they will get better, get a good education, and be prepared to play at the next level.

@@^^^^^ commented on September 4, 2012 at 11:41 a.m.: report abuse

To start with, they lost to Glades Central SIX times, add 3 times to Booker T, a so-so PBG team a couple years ago and a 70 point blow out in the state final a while back and there seems to be a pattern of NEVER WINNING THE BIG GAME. That's coaching my friend or in this case lack of

Panther Chick commented on September 4, 2012 at 11:59 a.m.: report abuse

All the negativity just does not make a difference; Dwyer has a quality group of students, teachers, and staff members, and they will continue to have them. There are people (many on this blog) who are focused on tearing them down and it is all because of jealousy. Work harder, do better, and maybe one day the media will be interested in you also...until then find a goal other than tearing Dwyer down...it is just petty!

Go Panthers! Remember all of the (unwarrented) hate and allow it to drive you to be more dedicated and to remain a strong unit!

@@@^^^^^^^^^^^ commented on September 4, 2012 at 1:38 p.m.: report abuse

Booker T. and Glades Central were ranked high nationally when Dwyer lost to them. Yea they lost by a bunch in a STATE FINAL game. Dwyer has won big games. Beat St. Thomas last year, Armwood 2 years ago, Niceville in State Championship game, Booker T 3 years ago. Give me a break.
Dwyer kids are coached well. That's why when they get to college they are ready to compete right away. Ask any college coach around where they like to get their players from...they will say Dwyer.

prediction commented on September 4, 2012 at 2:33 p.m.: report abuse

Prediction......In the end Dwyer will not appeal the FHSAA sactions. They will realize it opens a huge can of worms and decide to take their punishment and move on

@^^^^^^^^^^^ commented on September 4, 2012 at 2:39 p.m.: report abuse

Yea Dwyer is twice the size of Glades Central...so what? GC is ranked nationally every year. Yes all loses were to Booker T in the regional final. How many teams around here ever make it that far? Dwyer players graduate at a much higher percentage than some other schools players. Your just a hater. Keep crying about getting your a$$ kicked by Dwyer every year.

ROUSE'S #2 FAN commented on September 4, 2012 at 5:04 p.m.: report abuse

I like how people talk and make speculations about things they know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT!! The fact of the matter is, Onterio Rouse is an VICTIM here! He and parents where misled by and trusted Dudeck. Why is everyone screaming DWYER, DWYER, DWYER? Yes, you are all HATERS! Rouse left Forest Hill and transferred to Palm Beach Gardens, where he played an entire year. I guess since Gardens doesn't have the OUTSTANDING record that Dwyer has, no one cares that they allowed him to play IN EVERY GAME, and NEVER questioned his transcript at all. I guess no one cares if their wins are stripped. Really? WE (THE FAMILY OF ONTERIO ROUSE) ARE ABSOLUTELY appealing this decision!! And, for the sake of argument........ What about the MANY OTHER PLAYERS who were defrauded by this man, and have gone on to graduate, using those transcripts? Are they gonna call them up and strip them of their diplomas?? Fair is Fair!! Rouse and his parents have gone above above and beyond to do whats right and whats fair. They have cooperated FULLY with the School Officials and Investigators. They also intend to testify at any trial if this matter goes to trial. Onterio has subsequently taken the classes over for the SECOND TIME and passed with high scores and is STILL being victimized by Dudeck actions and he as well as Dwyer is penalized for someone else's actions.

Right thing to do commented on September 4, 2012 at 8:09 p.m.: report abuse

Panther Chick, your points 1&3 are your opinion and differ from others. You are entitled to that opinion as I am to mine. Although, Joe Paterno said everything was alright at Penn State to so we all have the right to believe what we want. #3 I will give you. Thats a shame . My main point is that Dwyer is constantly under scrutiny from competing schools so here is a chance to open up and put it all to rest.

Panther Pride commented on September 5, 2012 at 10:07 a.m.: report abuse

PANTHERS RULE!!! We the best, the rest are just bums! Burr... it sure is cold for the outsiders lokking in!!!

KC. commented on September 5, 2012 at 1:15 p.m.: report abuse

dwyer sucks

MORE TO IT commented on September 5, 2012 at 3:53 p.m.: report abuse

Just the tip of the iceberg with Dwyer. More will come out. Just wait.