As Hahnville prepares to host Jesuit in tonight’s jamboree, it could be reeling from the fallout of the LHSAA’s decision to reportedly suspend head coach Nick Saltaformaggio four games and to rule transfer quarterback Andrew Robison ineligible for the 2018 season.
Hahnville has also been fined $2,500, according to St. Charles Parish Public Schools spokeswoman Stevie Crovetto, who confirmed Saltaformaggio’s suspension and the ruling of one of the team’s players to be ineligible for athletic competition this school year. Though not noted by name in the statement issued by Crovetto on behalf of the school district this morning, the player is reportedly Robison, whose eligibility was subject to an ongoing LHSAA investigation following his transfer to the school.
Saltaformaggio’s suspension would begin next week in the Tigers’ regular season opener at West Jefferson. The suspension would also sideline him for games against John Ehret, Brother Martin and the team’s district opener against rival Destrehan.
Crovetto said the school district has filed an emergency appeal with the LHSAA, part of the following statement issued this morning:
“We have received notification from LHSAA outlining sanctions that are being imposed following its investigation of alleged recruiting by the Hahnville High School Football Program. The alleged violations were reported to LHSAA by a private school where the student-athlete previously attended. The school has filed an emergency appeal with LHSAA and is requesting the determining factors for the ruling. As a school system with students’ best interests at heart, we feel that the sanctions issued by LHSAA are excessive and detrimental to the student-athlete, the football team, and entire school community.”
She said the sanctions represent “significant, long term damage for the student-athlete” and that the ruling cannot be taken lightly. Robison is a senior who is being recruited by several Division I schools, and the suspension would effectively represent the end of his prep football career.
“We anxiously await a response from the LHSAA regarding the appeal,” Crovetto said.
Robison previously attended Vandebilt Catholic in Houma before transferring to Hahnville earlier this summer, making the move after the contract of his father, Drew Robison, was not renewed by the school. Drew Robison served as Vandebilt’s offensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
The quarterback passed for nearly 2,700 yards and threw more than 30 touchdown passes last season.
Hahnville and Jesuit are set to kick off their jamboree tonight (Aug. 23), with junior varsity kickoff at 5:30 and the varsity to follow thereafter.
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