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Delaware athletes can make money from ads, but one high school went way too far

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Delaware athletes can make money from ads, but one high school went way too far


From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

This month Delaware joined the growing list of states that permit high school athletes to earn money from their “name, image and likeness” without jeopardizing their eligibility to play.

Scholastic athletes in America are piggybacking on what their collegiate counterparts have been able to do since 2021. Some NCAA stars, such as former University of Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark and current University of Colorado football quarterback Shedeur Sanders, have become millionaires under the so-called NIL rules even before turning pro.

In Delaware, however, appearing in commercials filmed at the school and displaying its logo, or wearing your team uniform, has been explicitly banned at least since 2005 by the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA), which governs high school sports. That rule remains in effect, even with the new NIL rules.

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So what were Indian River High School’s administrators and coaches thinking last month when they let more than 20 football players appear in a 30-second TV spot for Hershey Exteriors, a Sussex County remodeling and roofing contractor?

The players wore their full uniforms and pads and were seated inside the school’s stadium. Three players stood and spoke, and two coaches also had speaking lines.

Indian River school and district officials won’t say what led them to shoot the ad whose production was in clear violation of longstanding state policies.

But the DIAA immediately began investigating, and last week formally reprimanded Indian River for “failure to comply with DIAA regulations concerning student-athlete eligibility and amateur status,” the agency said in a news release.

“While no direct compensation or benefits were provided to the students or school personnel, the participation in the commercial jeopardized the amateur status of the student-athletes.”

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DIAA would not provide the reprimand letter to WHYY News. Spokeswoman Caitlin Finkley said the reason is because the disciplinary action is still “currently going through the legal process.”

The TV spot featuring Indian River High football players and coaches clearly violated state rules. (Hershey Exteriors ad)

But the agency’s news release said the Indian River players and coaches “participated in the commercial under the supervision of the [school] athletic department” and that “violations of these regulations risk compromising the integrity of Delaware’s high school sports programs.”

State rules stipulate that players could be banned from competition for ads like the one Indian River participated in, but DIAA decided not to penalize the students. All are still eligible to play for the Dagsboro school’s football team, which currently has a 7-1 record and is on track for a berth in the Division 1A playoffs for Delaware’s smaller schools.

Indian River Athletic Director Todd Fuhrman did not respond to a request from WHYY News about why he let the student-athletes appear in the commercial, which violated the rule and jeopardized their eligibility to play and amateur status.

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Draper Media, which creates advertising for stations such as WBOC, an affiliate of Fox and NBC that is based in Salisbury, Maryland, and reaches Delaware’s Sussex and Kent counties, produced the Indian River spot.

Tyler Hershey, who owns Hershey Exteriors, said his sales rep at WBOC recommended making the ad and told him Indian River administrators had given it the green light. Officials at WBOC would not comment.

As part of the reprimand, DIAA directed Indian River to ask Draper Media and WBOC-TV to “remove the commercial from further broadcasts.”

DIAA
Delaware’s sports governing body has long prohibited players from endorsing products in uniform or at their school’s facilities. (State of Delaware)

District spokesman David Maull would not agree to an interview but said in an email that “the ad was actually pulled by the advertiser” earlier this month. Indian River High principal Michael Williams sent a letter last week to “Draper Media/WBOC” and asked them to remove the commercial “per our state athletic association request.”

While Maull would not disclose why Indian River permitted the commercial using players, coaches, uniforms, and the school stadium, he issued a statement that said the district is “grateful this issue will not affect the hard work of our team, coaches and volunteers.”

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Maull added that “district officials commit to a thorough understanding of all DIAA regulations moving forward to prevent another issue arising in the future.”



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Delaware

Better pay, cultural competency part of 10-year plan to improve Delaware schools

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Better pay, cultural competency part of 10-year plan to improve Delaware schools


From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

A Delaware group hoping to set the agenda for the next 10 years of improving the state’s schools is out with its latest proposal.

Since 2005, the Vision Coalition of Delaware has focused on shaping education through 10-year plans, starting with Vision 2015 and followed by Student Success 2025. Now in its third phase, the group aims to improve funding equity among districts, better support teachers and improve student outcomes both after high school and in early childhood classes.

Organized by the Rodel Foundation, the coalition consists of leaders across various industries, working to shape the future of Delaware’s education system.

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“The Vision Coalition, from the time it began … has been focused on working alongside our education systems in Delaware to support work in the necessary areas,” said Shelley Rouser, department chair for the education department at Delaware State University.

“So while the vision to support school systems and making sure that practices and policies are an alignment with school needs, that’s been a constant focus for the Vision Coalition. What’s changed over time are …  you know what those needs are. So while that has evolved, the mission has remained constant.”

With over 30 years in education — from classroom teaching to district leadership and now a university role — Rouser gained first-hand insight into the field’s evolution. As part of the leadership team, she’s seen how the changing educational landscape affects students, educators and policies, identifying unique needs and challenges at every level.

In 2023, the coalition surveyed educators, parents and the public to assess the current state of education. The findings highlighted notable improvements statewide in educational technology, mental health support and early childhood education, reflecting positive changes across diverse perspectives.

Despite those advancements, Rouser said that after hearing ideas and concerns from the public at various forums, there’s still areas in need of improvement.

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Live Updates: Tornado Watch Active For Several Northeast Oklahoma Counies

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Live Updates: Tornado Watch Active For Several Northeast Oklahoma Counies


A tornado was confirmed at 10:48 p.m. for the Wyandotte area in SE Ottawa County. This storm moved NE at 45mph towards Seneca, MO.

News On 6 storm tracker Kevin Tillotson caught some storm damage on the north side of Grand Lake Wednesday night.

A line of strong to severe storms has moved across Oklahoma throughout the afternoon and evening. Below are weather updates:

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Tornado Watches

A tornado watch has been issued for several counties in Northeast Oklahoma until midnight.

Counties included are:

  1. Craig
  2. Creek
  3. Haskell
  4. Hughes
  5. Lincoln
  6. Mayes
  7. McIntosh
  8. Muskogee
  9. Nowata
  10. Okfuskee
  11. Okmulgee
  12. Osage
  13. Ottawa
  14. Pawnee
  15. Pittsburg
  16. Rogers
  17. Tulsa
  18. Wagoner
  19. Washington

Here is a general timeline for the main severe threats according to Chief Meteorologist Travis Meyer:

  1. Northwest of Tulsa: 7 p.m. — 10 p.m.
  2. Tulsa Metro & I-44 corridor: 10 p.m. — noon
  3. Southeast of Tulsa: noon — 3 a.m.

Large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes are all possible. The tornado risk will be moderate during the initial storms through the evening, with an increased focus on damaging winds and embedded spin-ups after midnight and into early Thursday.





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Police departments in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, to collaborate to keep voters safe on Election Day, DA says

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Police departments in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, to collaborate to keep voters safe on Election Day, DA says


Delaware County, Pennsylvania, officials share safety plans for Election Day

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Delaware County, Pennsylvania, officials share safety plans for Election Day

01:56

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MEDIA, Pa. (CBS) — Officials in Delaware County are sending a message to anyone thinking about disrupting the election: Don’t do it.

During a news conference Wednesday, First Assistant District Attorney Tanner Rouse said law enforcement is working collaboratively to keep voters safe and the election process secure. He delivered his message while standing alongside the police chiefs from Yeadon, Marple Township, Upper Darby, Radnor, Nether Providence and the City of Chester.

Officials said they will work collaboratively to respond to any disturbances on Nov. 5.  

The district attorney’s office has established a hotline at 610-891-4242 so that people can call with tips about threats that need to be investigated. The hotline will be active from 6 a.m. on Election Day until after polls close at 8 p.m.

Rouse said anyone who disrupts the election will face serious consequences.

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“You can try to disrupt the election with a bomb, you can try to disrupt the election by yelling loudly,” Rouse said. “It just depends. It’s going to be case specific and charges will be filed appropriately.”

Rouse said he’s not aware of any specific threats but that law enforcement is prepared for every possible contingency on Election Day.



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