Contact: Melissa Salmanowitz | 202-535-1096

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) today announced that Dunbar High School must forfeit its victory of the annual Turkey Bowl playoff football game, among other regular season games, following a residency investigation into one of the players on the Dunbar football team. The investigation, conducted by the DCPS Office of Residency, found that one of the student-athletes is not a resident of the District. The District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) requires schools to forfeit each game in which an ineligible student participates.

“It is deeply disappointing to have to revoke this title from Dunbar, but it is even more disappointing that an ineligible player was playing on the team," said DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson. “We have high expectations and rules at DCPS, and that applies both in the classroom and in athletics.”

In late November 2012, DCPS received information that Dunbar High School may be playing a student-athlete that did not reside in the District, in violation of DCMR 2701.4.  The DCPS Office of Residency conducted an investigation into the matter.  The investigation found that the student was not a resident. As he played in two games, this made Dunbar ineligible to compete in the DCIAA football playoff game.

“We make it very clear to our teams and to our school and team leaders that non-residents are not eligible to play on our athletic teams,” said DCPS Athletic Director Stephanie Evans. “When it becomes clear that a school is in violation, we have to enforce the appropriate consequences.”

Dunbar Principal Stephen Jackson was notified by letter today.

According to the DCMR, Dunbar has the opportunity to appeal the findings of the violation.