False information given to LHSAA investigators during questioning in Robison case

Tomorrow, former Vandebilt Catholic quarterback Andrew Robison will again be in court pertaining to the temporary restraining order a St. Charles Parish judge granted him last week, which, in theory, could clear the way for his eligibility to be restored temporarily for the 2018 season. 

But new details are emerging about the Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s investigation of Robison’s transfer from Vandebilt to Hahnville and findings show that the family was not 100 percent truthful to investigators during the process. 

Records obtained by The Times with the help of Martin Folse with HTV 10 show an in-depth look at the investigation and the LHSAA’s ruling that Robison is ineligible for the 2018-19 athletic year at every school in the state besides Vandebilt. 

In it, there are discrepancies between statements made by the Robison family and the facts of the case. At the time, the family called one of those discrepancies “wishful thinking”. 

When Robison started the process of transferring out of Vandebilt and into Hahnville, the family started the paperwork process necessary to begin such a move. 

Once complete, Vandebilt Catholic challenged the process in the LHSAA Principal’s Concurrence Form, checking off Box No. 13, labeled “Do you have any reason to object to this student’s transfer or have any information which would make this transfer questionable?”

Checking that box is what started an investigation into what was taking place.

In the information box below, Vandebilt officials stated that their questioned involved the Robison’s residence and alleged illegal recruiting from Hahnville.

A COACH AT HAHNVILLE OR NOT A COACH? WISHFUL THINKING MISLEADS INVESTIGATORS

Investigators questioned the Robison family on Aug. 20, 2018 – just days before the initial ruling that Andrew Robison would be suspended.

On the Residence Eligibility Form, the Robison family listed Drew Robison, Andrew Robison’s father, as a “coach at Hahnville.” 

The form was dated July 30, 2018 and it was signed by the athletic director at Hahnville High School, Mendi Leboeuf. 

Drew Robison told investigators that he interviewed for a job at Hahnville and his wife, Colyer Robison, said the mistake in paperwork was “wishful thinking.”

But Hahnville denies that Drew Robison was ever in consideration to coach at their school.

Leboeuf said Hahnville’s boys’ basketball program does not have any job openings and that Robison was never interviewed. It is not clear why Lebouef signed the document if it was not accurate.

MAY OR MARCH? A BIG DIFFERENCE IN TIMELINES EXISTS

Drew Robison told LHSAA investigators that he was told by Vandebilt officials that his contract would not be renewed in May and that he was “blindsided” by the decision and had “no inclination” that he was about to be fired.

But facts surrounding the case and statements made by those at Hahnville show that this was maybe not the case.

Drew Robison failed initially to tell LHSAA investigators that he was relieved of his duties as boys’ basketball coach in March, but was offered initially to stay on with the school as an assistant football coach.

He later informed investigators about the boys’ basketball situation. Both VCHS and Drew Robison failed to give specifics about why his contract was not renewed, though the coach said it was because of a comment he made in a classroom.  

That March date is prominent to the next key points in the story. 

Over the summer, Hahnville football coach Nick Saltaformaggio did an interview with television reporters and he said that he was told by one of his football players in March that a good quarterback may be coming to Hahnville in the fall.

If Drew Robison was “blindsided” by his firing, why was he looking to Hahnville in March while Andrew Robison was still enrolled at Vandebilt and was very much in play there for his senior season?

Colyer Robison told investigators that the coach probably meant to say May. 

Saltaformaggio admitted to investigators that a player told him in March of Robison’s potential transfer to the school.

Vandebilt officials told investigators they believe the Robison’s and Saltaformaggio were in direct contact between March and May, though both sides denied that to the LHSAA. 

LIVING SITUATION? A BONAFIDE MOVE?

LHSAA officials investigated both the Robison family’s home in Houma and also the apartment in Luling they leased into in in May.

Investigators deemed that the Robison family had moved to the River Parishes. Their home in Houma was “mostly empty”, according to investigators and the LHSAA deemed it “abandoned as a residence.” 

One bedroom still had belongings. It belonged to an older daughter in the family, who lived in Florida.

At the time of the investigation in mid-August, Robison said the house was in the process of being sold on Aug. 31, 2018. 

At the Hahnville apartment, investigators said they found a “neat, well-furnished” apartment with clothes for both Andrew Robison, his little brother Luke and the two parents. 

The family said that while Andrew was to transfer to Hahnville, Luke would stay at a private school in Houma throughout the transition. 

Investigators said they asked Drew Robison if the family’s move to Hahnville was permanent and he was “taken back” by the question.

He said the family would live out its lease and see what would happen from there.

The lease on the Hahnville apartment is dated May 21, but Vandebilt Catholic officials question whether the family has actually lived there throughout the summer.

On Aug. 14, 2018, Vandebilt principal Jeremy Gueldner sent a photo to Renee Ballard, an Eligibility Coordinator with the LHSAA.

In the photo, there is a car in the driveway of the home and Luke Robison and two other kids playing basketball in the driveway. 

Like Andrew, Luke is also an exceptional student-athlete in the Terrebonne Parish Recreation system. 

On Aug. 19, 2018, Drew and Colyer signed Luke up for TPR football – literally the day before they met with the LHSAA – and said they lived in Luling.

The Times with the help of Martin Folse and HTV 10 have received copies of that paperwork. It is signed by both parents and dated Aug. 19. 

But on Luke’s registration paperwork, the family listed its Houma address as its place of residence.

WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW?

The Robisons will be in court tomorrow to have a hearing regarding the Temporary Restraining Order they received last week.

If successful, Robison could take the field on Friday night with his team. Technically, he was clear to do so on Friday, but the school decided to be cautious. The TRO says the LHSAA could not punish Robison or Hahnville for playing – not until a hearing took place regarding the restraining order. Hahnville officials still held the quarterback out of caution.

Precedent says that the TRO is an up-hill battle over the long haul for the Robison family. 

In 2013, Vandebilt obtained a TRO against the LHSAA, blocking an ineligibility ruling against a Lady Terriers player, which would have caused the team to forfeit all of its wins and be kicked out of the playoffs.

The TRO was signed in a Houma court, but the LHSAA took the case further and it was later ruled that only a Baton Rouge court can legally uphold such restraining orders, which caused the TRO to be lifted and the Lady Terriers to be kicked out of the playoffs – literally seconds before their Class 4A State Semifinal Game.

Precedent shows that the same could happen in this case as it makes its way up through the courts, though there is a chance that the TRO is upheld and Robison can play.

The Robison family is also suing the LHSAA, Vandebilt Catholic, Jeremy Atwell and Hahnville High School, seeking restored eligibility and also damages for “bullying,” “negligence” and other alleged infractions.

The Times will give an update following tomorrow’s meeting and throughout the week.  

Andrew Robison

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