Lake Nona unveiled its new roster, with nearly 10 transfer players, Thursday night amid allegations of recruiting violations, impermissible benefits and other speculation.
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The Florida High School Athletic Association this week confirmed that it received a letter citing a number of rules violations from an anonymous parent which was widely circulated. The FHSAA has communicated with the school and will allow Lake Nona administrators to look into the situation.
Two years ago, The First Academy athletic department was rattled with a two-year playoff suspension levied against its football team for rules violations.
FHSAA punishes First Academy football for rules violations
Lake Nona’s fourth-year head coach David Aubrey, who is the target of most of the accusations within the letter, said Thursday night after the team’s spring game against Boone, that he was aware of the letter, but was not concerned and denied any wrongdoing.
Aubrey said success breeds haters and jealousy and he attributed much of the team’s success to be the ammunition behind the allegations. Lake Nona was 8-4 last season and won its first playoff game in school history, and the Lions are 19-14 under Aubrey.
“I think when you are doing really good things, bad things are bound to try to take over, but I believe in God and I believe God takes care of all,” said Aubrey, whose team defeated Boone 21-0. “I’m a man of integrity, I’m a man of character and I really focus on working with young men.
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“It’s a round-the-clock cycle for me. I know I’m doing the right thing to change the lives of kids.”
Several of the transfer players have taken over positions that would have gone to Lake Nona players who were already at the school. Speculation is that the parents of those players who were pushed down the depth chart are not happy.
“When you are dealing with kids, some parents and kids feel left out because some kids advance faster than others. That’s kind of what you gotta deal with,” Aubrey said. “I get it. I’m a parent. I totally understand, but I’ve been in this profession for a long time, and it’s bound to happen.
Some of the allegations stem from Aubrey’s work with club teams like Pop Warner.
“We have a very strong Pop Warner community and a very strong youth program,” Aubrey said. “A lot of those kids come from other places to play for us because Lake Nona Youth Sports does a phenomenal job in developing the culture and developing success.
“We don’t have only Lake Nona kids. We have kids that come from Apopka, kids from St. Cloud, kids from Harmony that play for us. We’re doing the right things here in the community, but when you are dealing with a massive group of people, somebody is bound to be upset. I don’t take that personal. I know I’m doing a good job.”
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Asked if he is concerned about the allegations, Aubrey said, “No, not at all.”
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.