Hoover probe cites favorable treatment for some players

HOOVER (AP) — A report into improprieties at Hoover High School concluded that actions by administrators — more than football coaches — created preferential academic treatment for some standout football players.

Assistant Principal Carol Martin and Peer Helping Coordinator Terri Borie became so involved in helping one player’s academic challenges that they “had in essence lost their objectivity and self-restraint,” according to the report. The Birmingham News has previously reported that player is Kerry Murphy, who signed with Alabama but did not qualify.

The report, conducted by Birmingham attorney Sam Pointer Jr., says that Hoover High athletics needs tighter administrative controls.

The News summarized Pointer’s findings on its Web site Saturday. The entire 68-page report was posted at www.hoover.k12.al.us.

The report says football coach Rush Propst’s bank account records reflect he has been providing financial support for a second family in the Pell City area.

Pointer’s report concludes that the grade change for a football player, identified by The News as Josh Chapman, a player at Alabama, was the result of “innocent human error” and was not an effort to inflate his grade.

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