Edison HS basketball coach suspended for allegedly letting unenrolled students play on team
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - The varsity boys basketball coach at Thomas Edison High School has been suspended after it was discovered that several athletes who played in a tournament were not enrolled at the school.
Principal Mandy Burke sent a note home to parents addressing the suspension of the varsity boys basketball coach. The school did not name the coach in the letter obtained by FOX 5, but their website lists him as Tre’ Ford.
An account on X under the name Tre’ Ford also reads "Thomas Edison Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach" in the bio and a post on the account from September 2022 reads, "Proud to announce that I am the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach At Thomas Edison High School • @EdisonHS_sports Thank You and I am blessed for this opportunity, this is a dream come true and I am so excited to get going ! Building STUDENT-ATHLETES one kid at a time !"
What we know:
According to Principal Burke, the decision was made after Fairfax County Public Schools determined that during a Virginia High School League-sanctioned 2024 summer tournament, several athletes played on the Edison High School boys' basketball team didn’t actually attend the school.
"When this information was brought to my attention, I immediately began an investigation in collaboration with the Executive Director of Student Activities and Athletics, Tom Horn," Burke wrote in the letter to parents. "While we have completed our review of the summer 2024 tournament, there are allegations regarding player residency and recruiting that we continue to review."
The coach has been suspended for the remainder of the school year and the school says the assistant varsity boys basketball coach will now serve as head coach.
"At Edison and across FCPS, we take pride in our work to tirelessly ensure that our athletic programs maintain high ethical standards of sportsmanship and character. This includes continuing our close working relationship with the VHSL," the school’s letter read.
"In conjunction with me, the FCPS Office of Student Activities and Athletics has also created a corrective action plan to enhance oversight of off-season activities. This includes training Edison's basketball staff and student activities office," it continued.
Dig deeper:
Read the full message sent home to Thomas Edison High School families below:
Message About Edison High School Basketball
By Edison High School
Athletics
January 14, 2025
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Dear Edison High School Community,
I am writing to inform you that our varsity boys basketball coach has been suspended by Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) for the remainder of the school year. Our assistant varsity boys basketball coach will serve as our head coach during this time.
This decision was made after learning that during a Virginia High School League (VHSL) -sanctioned 2024 summer tournament, several athletes played on the Edison High School boys basketball team, who were not enrolled at the school.
When this information was brought to my attention, I immediately began an investigation in collaboration with the Executive Director of Student Activities and Athletics, Tom Horn. While we have completed our review of the summer 2024 tournament, there are allegations regarding player residency and recruiting that we continue to review.
At Edison and across FCPS, we take pride in our work to tirelessly ensure that our athletic programs maintain high ethical standards of sportsmanship and character. This includes continuing our close working relationship with the VHSL.
In conjunction with me, the FCPS Office of Student Activities and Athletics has also created a corrective action plan to enhance oversight of off-season activities. This includes training Edison's basketball staff and student activities office.
Thank you for your continued support of Edison athletic teams.
Sincerely,
Mandy Burke
The Source: Fairfax County Public Schools