Slaughter suspended; Young on probation

Young coach Tyrone Slaughter has been suspended from all coaching activities until Feb.14, according to IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman.

Young is also on probation until Jan. 1, 2012. The penalties are the result of the IHSA's investigation into Young's boys basketball practice at Burr Ridge Middle School on Nov. 12, 2010.

Slaughter is suspended from all team events, including contact with players and coaches.

"This was not an event that came together at a moment's notice," Hickman said in a statement. "Young's basketball program had ample time to seek clearance from its athletic administration, high school administration or from the IHSA. Had they done so, they would have been notified that a practice of this nature violates the IHSA Recruiting Bylaws, specifically 3.071 and 3.073."

The practice was first revealed in the Sun-Times on Dec. 9.

Slaughter confirmed

that the practice happened, but didn't give a specific reason why. According to the IHSA media release, Young had a conflict at its campus

gym on Nov. 12 and practiced at Burr Ridge Middle School on the way to a

team event.

"It's not against the rules," Slaughter said. "There is no rule against it. There is nothing."

Burr Ridge Middle School Principal Julie Bartell said the practice was "an opportunity for our students."

"This practice violated the IHSA recruiting by-laws and would have done so even if none of the attendees were basketball players," added Hickman. "The fact Whitney Young traveled some 20 miles from its campus to conduct a practice, with an audience which was made up almost exclusively of middle school basketball players was especially troubling. A school's administration can market its programs, but it has to be done in the overall context of the school's academic and extracurricular programs. This event was conducted by the coach and only provided the attendees with the opportunity to learn about Whitney Young's boys basketball program."

"With that said, we did not find evidence that any particular players were recruited, as was previously alleged."

Hinsdale South filed an official complaint with the IHSA in December.

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