Hoover High School Forfeits Wins Over 20-Year-Old Player

Hoover High School’s boys soccer team, previously the top-ranked team in the state, has voluntarily forfeited all of its 2025 season wins after discovering that one of its players was ineligible due to age.

School Self-Reports Ineligible Player to Athletic Association

The incident came to light when Hoover High School administrators uncovered a discrepancy in the age of one of their senior players — a refugee student from Sudan. According to officials, on April 21, 2025, the school learned through internal verification that the player’s birth certificate was incorrect, revealing he was actually 20 years old, not 19 as initially documented.

Hoover High acted swiftly and ethically by self-reporting the issue to the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) on April 22. The school then forfeited all eight of its victories for the season, changing its record from an impressive 8-0-1 to 0-8-1.

Integrity Over Victory: A Lesson in Sportsmanship

Despite the setback, school officials emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity and fairness in high school athletics. Hoover’s athletic director stated, “We believe in doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. This decision reflects the values we strive to instill in our students — honesty, accountability, and sportsmanship.”

The decision to report the eligibility violation was entirely initiated by the school — not prompted by any complaints or investigations — marking a notable example of ethical conduct in youth sports.

Although the player, who came to the U.S. under complex circumstances as a refugee, is no longer eligible to compete, he will be allowed to remain enrolled and graduate this May. School officials clarified that the age discrepancy was an administrative oversight, not an intentional act of deception.

Despite the forfeits, Hoover High School’s boys soccer team will still be allowed to participate in the state playoffs, thanks to IHSAA’s inclusive postseason structure, which allows all teams to compete regardless of their regular-season record.

Key Takeaways

• Hoover High forfeited all 2025 boys soccer wins due to an ineligible 20-year-old player.
• The school self-identified and reported the issue to the IHSAA.
• The player, a Sudanese refugee, will still graduate in May 2025.
• All IHSAA teams qualify for playoffs, so Hoover will still compete in the postseason.

This unprecedented yet commendable action by Hoover High School sets a new benchmark for transparency and sports ethics in high school athletics. As debates over age verification and player eligibility continue across the country, Hoover’s response serves as a reminder that integrity in sports often matters more than wins on the field.