Can Ironton’s OHSAA 2024 State Championship title be revoked?

IRONTON, Ohio (WOWK) — In the span of two days, Ironton High School’s football program was deemed ineligible to compete in this year’s playoffs. However, the question remains. Will the school district be filing an injunction?

As of Monday evening, the Common Pleas Courts has not filed an injunction in Lawrence or Franklin Counties.

Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) officials confirmed that an injunction can be filed but the school district, to their knowledge, has not done so.

The OHSAA ruled that the Fighting Tigers were ineligible to play in this year’s playoffs following transfer bylaw violations over the past seven years.

OHSAA officials also say the school district will have to pay a $7,500 fine and be placed under probation through the 2027-28 school year while banning its coaches from coaching in the postseason next year.

So far, the school district has not commented on the matter, including if they plan to file an injunction ahead of the playoff games set to start on Friday.

Many in the community, including Ironton Mayor Sam Cramblit, said they are skeptical of the timing of the announcement, being less than a week before the post season starts.

“It’s unfortunate that there is no recourse that they provided. They did this in a very timely manner that stripped the school of being able to fight for itself as well, which I think is… it’s just, it’s dirty,” Cramblit said.

Ironton High School won the OHSAA State Football Championship in 2024, which would have been during the time period the organization says the team was violating transfer bylaws.

As for if the title could be revoked, the OHSAA says “If the OHSAA discovers new information that causes a state championship or wins to be vacated, then we will make that announcement. That could happen with any of our state championships, in any sport.”

An announcement has not been made to potentially revoke the recent championship title.

13 News reached out to Ironton City Schools’ attorneys, asking if they plan to file an injunction on the OHSAA ruling. As of Monday evening, they have not responded.

This is a developing story.