CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- State athletic officials have adopted tougher penalties for students who lie about where they live in order to play on preferred prep sports teams.

Until now, students found guilty of the offense were suspended for the same number of games in which they illegally participated.

But the N.C. High School Athletic Association decided Wednesday that all such violations will draw a suspension for a full calendar year.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Peter Gorman, whose district was rocked by an eligibility scandal during the 2007 football playoffs, applauded the stiffer penalties and other association reforms.

"I strongly support it," Gorman said. "It gives us another tool for making sure that kids know the importance and the seriousness of being truthful."

The changes come in the wake of an Observer investigation last year that found local families were lying about their addresses to get into select athletic programs.

At least 17 players have been dismissed from Charlotte-Mecklenburg teams in recent months; four coaches have resigned or been removed; and at least two high schools have forfeited football seasons. Also Wednesday, the association banned former West Charlotte football coach Maurice Flowers and former Lions assistant Hazel Richardson from coaching at any school until July 1, 2009.

Meanwhile, perennial county football power Independence High remains the focus of a CMS eligibility investigation. Independence's string of seven consecutive state football championships ended in December with a 28-17 loss to New Bern in the N.C. 4AA title game.

School systems statewide have been struggling with eligibility cheating.

Rodney Shotwell, head of the policy committee of the athletic association board, said the new rule on penalties sends a strong message to student-athletes.

"If we find out about it in the middle of the football season," he said, "they're done not only for that season but for half of the next one as well."

The association's board will also clarify what it expects schools to do to double-check eligibility. Until now, the group's rules have said schools failing to exercise "reasonable scrutiny" in their checks must forfeit any games in which an ineligible student participates.

That standard has caused confusion among some officials, who weren't sure what qualified as reasonable scrutiny.

Now the association will send all schools a checklist detailing what measures they must take. Shotwell said another key change will require schools to share player-eligibility sheets with every school in their conference. The sheets include players' addresses.

A local panel formed by Charlotte school officials will hold the last of four meetings next week on the eligibility problem. Additional recommendations are expected.

Among the items already being considered: a "sit-out" rule that would prohibit students who change schools from participating in athletics for a full calendar year.
-- Correspondent Alex Bass contributed to this article.

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