NEW ORLEANS —
George Washington Carver High School football team announced that the remainder of their 2023 season has been canceled on Thursday.
School officials said they were notified by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association of an eligibility violation during the teams' first football game against St. Amant. Last year, the team was on probation for infractions that led into the 2023 school year.
The penalty resulted in a canceled season and 12-month suspensions for several of the teams' coaches, which could have impacted all of Carver’s sports teams, the school said.
“We know the impact will be felt throughout the school and the city,” said a statement released on the school’s website.
They gave students a few options. Those who are interested in playing another sport will have an opportunity to try out. Students who want to transfer to another school to play football will be granted waivers by LHSAA to register for other New Orleans Public Schools.
“We are committed to ensuring all scholars still have the opportunity to perform and to be recognized,” the school said.
The acting head coach is also accused of getting physical with a player during a game earlier this month. Irene Amaker says the coach mishandled her son on the sidelines of a game on September 7th.
In a phone conversation with WWL-TV’s Whitney Miller, the coach says the allegations against him are false. He admits to interacting with Amaker’s son on September 7 but says it was not to the extent of what Amaker claims.
The New Orleans Police Department told WWL-TV there is an open investigation into the incident which NOPD determined to be “a miscellaneous incident.”
In a statement, A spokesperson for G.W. Carver High School told WWL the coach was placed on leave until an investigation is complete.
If you are the parent or legal guardian of a football player and would like an individual meeting to discuss your next steps, you can contact Cierra Sutton (csutton@collegiateacademies.org) to schedule an appointment.
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