Jenks Completes OSSAA Recruiting Training Due To Violations

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

JENKS, OK -- Jenks was the latest school district to get training from OSSAA about state athletics rules, Wednesday.

Jenks Football coach Alan Trimble was suspended indefinitely and the Trojans forfeited eight games from their 2008 season after the program admitted it violated OSSAA residency and recruiting rules.

That OSSAA held a seminar explaining those rules in detail Wednesday evening.
It was similar to the presentation made to TPS schools on Tuesday.

Jenks refused to allow any media into its meeting.

"I know you guys want to be more open, why keep the meeting closed tonight," said Tony Dillingham, Jenks Athletic Director. "For us, we really wanted to make it where it was important where our coaches were able to focus on what was being shared."

The OSSAA says it appreciates that focus.  Its members say if there is a positive consequence of the Booker T and Jenks violations, it is that coaches everywhere are now playing closer attention to the rules.

"Our rules are lengthy, a lot of coaches just aren't aware of the regulations when it comes to our residency and recruiting rules," Ed Sheakley, OSSAA Executive Secretary.

After the seminar, Jenks athletic director says his coaches certainly are.

Dillingham believes this was an important first step towards getting the powerhouse program back on the right track. 

"We can't go back and change what's happened in the past, what we need to do is focus on improvement, and arm ourselves so we can do that as productively as possible," Dillingham said.