WPIAL launches investigations into Baldwin, Imani Christian over ‘possible recruiting violations’

By: Chris Harlan
Monday, October 14, 2024 | 10:31 PM

The WPIAL has launched separate investigations into the Baldwin and Imani Christian athletic departments over potential recruiting violations.

The board voted Monday to empower WPIAL executive director Scott Seltzer to conduct the investigations. He said the allegations stemmed from information gained in previous eligibility hearings involving Baldwin football and Imani Christian basketball.

“We heard things in a closed hearing that made us wonder,” Seltzer said. “We need to have a little more information, have a little more communication. Usually, we don’t investigate. We’re not an investigatory body. But (the board members) instructed me to gather as much information as possible and then present it to them.”

The board will decide whether hearings are warranted.

Seltzer said the investigations will examine athletic departments as a whole to learn whether wider issues exist.

“Is it a systematic thing that might affect other sports?” he said.

The WPIAL board unanimously approved two motions Monday that gave Seltzer “the authority to conduct an investigation, and schedule a hearing if necessary, regarding possible recruiting violations and administrative and institutional oversight issues” involving Baldwin and Imani Christian.

The WPIAL had recently looked into Baldwin’s use of an ineligible football player in a scrimmage. Seltzer said the WPIAL has received information from Baldwin’s administration about school-imposed discipline but hadn’t yet decided whether to accept those actions as adequate.

Imani Christian basketball player Kieshaun Demus, a sophomore transfer from North Hills, was ruled ineligible following an WPIAL hearing Sept. 30. Seltzer said the board, which heard allegations that Demus played in a summer league with Imani prior to enrolling, found his transfer athletically motivated.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Baldwin, Imani Christian