Hayfield Secondary School is disappointed with today’s decision by the Virginia High School League (VHSL) and stands by the fact that all Hayfield Football student-athletes met all eligibility requirements.

Prior to the start of the 2024 football season, the school and school division took many steps to ensure only eligible athletes would represent Hayfield on the football field. FCPS focused its investigation on personnel matters related to establishing student athlete residency. Residency is established for the purposes of attending school. Over the summer, a third-party review, conducted by former Virginia Chief Deputy Attorney General Cynthia Hudson, found no trace of student-athlete recruitment violations. 

VHSL is responsible for approving athletic eligibility for transferring student athletes. Given the attention that the number of student athlete transfers had received, the Hayfield Secondary School staff in August, took the extra step to meet with VHSL and review each student athlete’s eligibility prior to their placement on the official Master Eligibility List that was submitted and approved by VHSL.

VHSL approved athletic eligibility for each and every student athlete that competed on the Hayfield SS football team this season. Only players deemed eligible by VHSL played football this season. 

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and Hayfield Secondary School are committed to upholding the VHSL’s mission to ensure that our athletic programs “promote education, leadership, sportsmanship, character and citizenship for students by establishing and maintaining high standards for school activities and competitions.” 

FCPS is committed to working with the VHSL and our sister schools to improve the process for determining student-athlete eligibility and to ensure greater clarity in the rules and processes that guide student activities and athletics in Virginia.