Ohio Department of Education releases findings in Bishop Sycamore scandal

A high-profile investigation in the saga of Bishop Sycamore High School has been finished by the Ohio Department of Education, per Tom Schad of USA TODAY Sports. The findings include the following, abundantly clear statement: “Bishop Sycamore is not a school as it purports on paper to be.”

The 41-page document questions and could not confirm if teachers at the school meet Ohio requirements, whether it is open the proper amount of hours to be a legitimate school, and if the required courses are offered. Additionally, the report recommends working with the office of the attorney general “regarding a potential legal action” against the nonexistent Ohio school. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine added on, asking the AG’s office to look into the “numerous disturbing allegations.”

Bishop Sycamore stole the headlines of ESPN’s High School Football Kickoff in August, despite falling 58-0 to IMG Academy. After a disturbingly lopsided game was aired on ESPN’s networks, an investigation was launched into the coaches and players at this Columbus based prep school. Multiple reports about the program, spearheaded by an investigative piece from USA Today, led the nation’s top prep schools to remove Bishop Sycamore from the schedule.

Among other lies, Bishop Sycamore told ESPN and its future opponents that it possessed a number of top prospects. That was not the case. Instead, reports indicate that multiple players on the field were in their 20’s.

“Bishop Sycamore told us they had a number of Division I prospects on their roster, and to be frank, a lot of that, we could not verify,” Anish Shroff said during the ESPN broadcast. “They did not show up in our database, they did not show up in the databases of other recruiting services. So, OK, that’s what you’re telling us, fine, that’s how we take it in. From what we’ve seen so far, this is not a fair fight. And there’s got to be a point where you’re worried about health and safety.”

Bishop Sycamore coach Roy Johnson was let go by the school the week of the game, following reports he was facing an active warrant and civil lawsuits. Beyond the issues on the field, Bishop Sycamore’s status as an accredited school is also up for debate. Inconsistent answers and contrasting information cloud the picture.

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.