Rush Propst Responds to GHSA Penalties Levied Against Valdosta Football

In a story first reported during the Monday airing of ITG Next’s “Extra Point! With Phil Jones,” the GHSA has leveled some of the harshest penalties ever in its history on the Valdosta football program. 

In the recommendation letter sent to Valdosta school district Superintendent Dr. Todd Cason, the GHSA outlines the penalties, which include a $7,500 fine, a ban on the 2021 postseason, and probation for the 2021 regular season. The letter also states that Valdosta must forfeit every win from last season, which saw the Wildcats advance to the semifinals of the Class 6A playoffs. 

The letter says that Valdosta head football coach Rush Propst and members of the Valdosta Touchdown Club have “contacted other student athletes or their families and provided gifts of money, payment of utilities, and housing incentives in an attempt to persuade those student athletes to transfer to Valdosta High School.” 

Valdosta is expected to appeal, a process that head coach Rush Propst says he welcomes. 

While Propst told ITG Next that, although he wasn’t able to fully comment on the matter, he does want to see the process play out and hopes to see the Valdosta Board of Education aggressively appeal the GHSA’s recommendations. He said that he feels once the appeals process runs its course, the evidence will produce a favorable result for himself and the Valdosta Touchdown Club members. 

ITG Next will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available. “Extra Point! With Phil Jones” will provide updates on this and other stories related to Georgia high school football as it airs Monday through Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the ITG Next – Georgia Facebook page.

Written by: Phil Jones