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Lynn English coach denies knowledge of recruiting allegations

Print | Comments () Posted by Jason Mastrodonato February 12, 2010 11:31 AM

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Despite allegations of recruiting basketball players at Lynn English High School, head coach Buzzy Barton said he had no knowledge of an assistant telling an East Boston student he could get him onto a Division 1 college team.

The allegations against Lynn English High School were discussed in a Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association hearing on Friday morning at Malden High.

English, a powerhouse under Barton (74-10) and the Division 1 state runners-up, has four transfer players listed on its team this season — Jarell Byrd (Lynn Classical), Howard Holman (Lynn Tech), Jordan Rogers (Brookline), and Miguel Martinez-Rodriguez (Dominican Republic).

However, the debate centered on former East Boston student Cory McMillan. Headmaster Michael Rubin argued that McMillan was approached by a representative from the Lynn English coaching staff about transferring to play basketball while still a student at East Boston.

"Look at these [transfer] players," Rubin said. "They’re not just middle-of-the-run players, they’re all-stars. Cory himself is a hell of a basketball player. If he didn’t have that talent, he wouldn’t be out in Lynn right now."

McMillan, a junior, transferred to English this season, but was denied the right to play. According to MIAA rule, varsity players who transfer must sit out a year unless given permission to play by the sending school. The receiving school can appeal, but in this case, Lynn English was denied.

Another transfer, Bryan Ortiz (Salem) also started at Lynn English in the fall, and was also denied the right to play this year.

Rubin believes that McMillan was told by an English assistant coach that he could play Division 1 college basketball if he transferred.

Representatives from English did not deny the allegations, but they claimed to be to be unaware that recruiting was taking place.

"Everything that took place was Simmie Anderson (an assistant coach) acting on his own," said Thomas Strangie, assistant principal at English. "When it was brought to our attention, we took immediate action and suspended him for the rest of the year."

"I'm embarrassed and apologetic," said Dr. Catherine Latham, superintendent of Lynn Public Schools. "We don’t tolerate recruiting. It is an unfortunate situation and we are putting new rules in place going forward."

Despite the blame being placed on one person, Rubin feels that the entire coaching staff is responsible.

Barton would not comment on the allegations, but denied having any knowledge of Anderson’s actions.

Rubin also questioned the acquisition of Rogers, a 6-foot-6 senior.

"I think the Jordan Rogers thing needs to be looked into a little bit closer," he said. "He practiced all fall for Brookline, practiced the first week, and then all of a sudden, in the first game he’s playing for Lynn English."

Rubin also insisted that his intentions were not to punish the English basketball team, or their players, but to find justice with those responsible.

“I want [the recruiting] to stop," Rubin said. "I want a level playing field. I want everything to be on the up-and-up so that we can have pure state champions, pure Eastern Mass champions, and pure league champions. I don't want anyone recruiting."

The MIAA met in an executive session following the hearing and did not say when an ultimate decision would be announced in regards to the allegations.

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