Indian River football under DIAA investigation

DAGSBORO, Del. – Indian River has the talent to win a 1A football championship in 2024, but it’s an off-the-field issue that could derail their season.

DIAA confirmed with WMDT Sports Wednesday night that they have informed Indian River High School that there is an active investigation underway after over twenty players and coaches appeared in a local television commercial.

The commercial features Indian River players in full uniform on their football field with members of their coaching staff.

Here’s an excerpt from the DIAA rules regarding amateur status for athletes and what can qualify as a violation:

“Uses the student’s athletic status to promote or endorse a commercial product or service on the internet; in a newsprint, radio, television advertisement or any other form of media; or personal appearance.”

WMDT Sports reached out to Indian River to find out who was involved in the decision making to put these amateurs in this situation.

Indian River Public Relations Specialist David Maull said the request to have the players appear was made to the IRHS Athletic Director by the company that filmed the commercial. Maull says, “Before granting permission, the IRHS AD consulted with several of his fellow Delaware AD’s on the issue to get their viewpoints and discuss whether it constituted any rules violations.”

Maull states that none of the Indian River football players or coaches who appeared received compensation, adding that players who appeared had parental permission.

When asked whether DIAA was made aware during the process of making the commercial, Maull replied back that DIAA and Executive Director David Baylor are aware of the commercial, but did not specify when the governing body first learned of the project.

DIAA’s next Board of Directors meeting will take place on October 10th. Their following meeting is scheduled for November 9th.

Indian River is off to a 3-1 start to the season.