An in-depth look at the LHSAA’s investigation into Robison and a look at what happens next

A well-known high school quarterback was suspended for the entire 2018 season by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association last week after he was allegedly recruited from one school to another.

But both the alleged culprit and the student-athlete’s former school believe that the punishment handed to the player is too severe. Together, they’re asking the LHSAA to reconsider and allow the player to play — at least part of the year.

The LHSAA shook the prep landscape last week when it announced that former Vandebilt Catholic quarterback and current Hahnville High School senior Andrew Robison was ineligible for the entire 2018 season, while also suspending Hahnville coach Nick Saltaformaggio for the first four games of the season. The Hahnville program was also issued a $2,500 fine and was placed on probation for a year.

Robison told New Orleans media after the team’s jamboree on Thursday night that the suspension, if upheld, is devastating — one of the most difficult things he’s ever had to deal with in his life. The team rallied around Robison on Thursday and he led the team onto the field.

Hahnville High School has filed an emergency appeal to try and have the case reversed. As of Saturday, that appeal had not been heard, but check HoumaTimes.com throughout the week for updates on the case and this situation.

Vandebilt Catholic issued a statement on Friday saying that they support the findings of the LHSAA’s initial investigation. But they also believe the punishment against Robison is too severe, adding that they’d like the LHSAA to reverse its stance and allow the senior to play in 2018 — even if for just part of the year.

“I’m just so thankful for my parents. I have really great parents and I have awesome teammates who have my back through this,” an emotional Robison said Thursday to reporter Eric Richey — just minutes after the team’s jamboree went final. “I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t devastated right now. This has really taken a huge impact on my life and honestly, it’s really disappointing for me as an individual and as a player. This is something that I just couldn’t see happening and it happened and it doesn’t even seem real yet, so I’m just at a loss for words right now.”

WHAT WE KNOW/A BRIEF HISTORY

Details about what specifically is alleged of Hahnville are a blur and the LHSAA says it will not give details on the investigation’s specifics as long as it’s in the appeals process. Attempts to reach officials at both Hahnville and Vandebilt were unsuccessful over the weekend.

So here is what we know.

Robison and his family moved to Houma from Tennessee when Andrew Robison’s father, Drew Robison was hired to be the Terriers’ boys’ basketball coach.

Andrew Robison has played for Vandebilt’s varsity football and basketball team for the past two seasons — as a sophomore and a junior.

Robison is a standout athlete. He was one of the best players in the area in each of the past two seasons.

Last year, he completed 192-of-330 passes with 2,341 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 11 games. In the past two seasons with Robison under center, the Terriers ascended to become one of the top local teams, winning 15 combined games — the most of anyone in the area.

Robison aspired to finish his career at Vandebilt, but plans changed this past spring when his father was not offered a coaching contract as the boys’ basketball coach at the school for the 2018-19 school year.

Not having employment, the Robison family opted the move to the River Parishes in the zoning area of Hahnville, which is where Andrew enrolled.

But sometime between May when Drew Robison was relieved of his duties and August when Andrew Robison enrolled, an alleged recruiting violation took place by Hahnville and it was reported to the LHSAA, who acted on it last week.

And it all sort of came out of nowhere for both sides.

In late July, Saltaformaggio spoke to The Times and said that Robison had enjoyed a strong summer. At the time of the interview, he said that the senior quarterback was a big part of the team’s plans in 2018.

“He’s a leader,” Saltaformaggio said. “He’s been new to our locker room, but he’s been willing to work and his attitude has been great. The guys have really taken a liking to him.” 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Once the LHSAA announced its ruling, Hahnville filed an emergency appeal, denying any wrongdoing. It is their hope that the LHSAA will hear the appeal in short order, giving hope that a reversal can be made before the season begins on Friday night when Hahnville takes on West Jefferson.

Vandebilt Catholic High School has offered its support for Robison and its family, but not toward Hahnville.

The school released a statement on Friday. In it, President David Boudreaux and principal Jeremy Gueldner says that they back the findings of the investigation, which says that Hahnville High School violated recruiting bylaws, as specified in the LHSAA handbook.

But the school also asked the LHSAA for leniency toward Robison, asking that he be allowed to play in 2018 — even if just for part of the year.

They say that the fact that a player’s suspension is longer than the coach’s in this case is not setting a good example.

“We find it troubling that a student-athlete was held to a higher standard than the coaches and adults to whom his care was entrusted. … We would have no opposition to Andrew Robison being allowed to participate for part or all of his senior season. We believe the loss of an entire season is far too high of a price for decisions that this young man had no control over.”

Issuing a partial suspension to Robison would not follow LHSAA’s precedent. Student-athletes are usually labeled “eligible” or “ineligible” in state rulings. There is usually not short-term suspensions issued. Players either have to sit or they are allowed to play — with little gray area.

Vandebilt also said it will make a proposal at the LHSAA’s annual convention in January that will seek to set precedent for cases similar to this. In it, they hope to more heavily punish coaches and athletic officials, as opposed to student-athletes.

ROBISON AWAITS HIS FATE

But while LHSAA officials decide the case, the young man in question is in limbo — unsure if he will be able to compete in 2018.

Robison said missing his senior season would greatly affect his career. The senior is being recruiting by several schools around the Southeast, including Nicholls, McNeese, Southeastern and others.

But Robison said he is clinging to a greater belief that everything happens for a reason and that God doesn’t abandon those who have faith.

In his interview with Richey, Robison showed poise and spoke confidently, saying that he will be on a football field again — whether it’s at the high school level or not.

He also asked for positive vibes from former teammates, friends and family who support him in his fight.

“You just have to take a step back and know that God makes everything happen for a reason,” Robison said. “God allows bad things to happen to good people, but it’s for a greater good. So that’s something that I need to realize right now. I also need to realize that my playing days aren’t over. We have this appeal, but no matter whether I get to play again or I don’t, I know that I have better days to come and that’s just what I’m holding onto right now — my friends, my family and God and I ask them all to be with me through this whole process.”

Andrew Robison

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