Rainier High suspends student-athletes

By Gail Wood

Several athletes from Rainier High School have been suspended from their sports teams because they violated the school district's athletic code.

Rainier superintendent Dennis Friedrich would not give details about the incident and would not comment on the type of violation or the number of athletes involved. But he did say football players were not the only athletes who were disciplined.

"We have some members of our athletic teams who were in violation of their athletic requirements," Friedrich said. "I cannot comment on how many or who because they are still under appeal."

The suspensions happened before Rainier's season-opening football game against Cedar Park Christian Friday. The Mountaineers, who came into the season with high expectations after returning several key players from a 6-4 team in 2006, lost their opener, 38-0.

Athletic director John Beckman would not comment on the suspensions, referring questions to Friedrich.

"Our policy is clear. If you do x, then x happens to you," Friedrich said.

Friedrich said there was no clear timeline on when a resolution would be reached. It could take a couple of weeks or a month.

"We want to be fair. We want to be equitable," Friedrich said. "We'll do everything we can to make sure the policy is followed and that everyone is treated as fairly as possible. At the same time, it is imperative that we not simply look the other way, but that we do what is ethically right in this situation."

Rainier athletes sign athletic code agreements prior to participating in sports. Athletes in districts across the state sign similar conduct codes.

Rainer's fall sports include football, volleyball and cross country.