Published: August 20, 2006 03:52 pm      

HIGH SCHOOL: Did Gronkowski transfer for football?

AMHERST — Rob Gronkowski’s behavior, and not his desire to play football at a higher level, could be the reason he transferred to a Pittsburgh-area juggernaut, according to multiple sources.

Some allege that Gronkowski recently sent a threatening e-mail to a Williamsville School District faculty member, and the feared consequences of that action facilitated Gronkowski’s decision last week to transfer from Williamsville North High School to Woodland Hills High School in Pennsylvania.

Initial reports suggested that Gronkowski, regarded as one of the top tight end prospects in the country, switched schools because of the lack of competition in Western New York.

“There’s just not the quality of football in the state of New York that there is here,” Gronkowski’s father, Gordon, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We want him to play with good talent around him instead of getting triple-teamed.”

But Gronkowski was already being sought by some of the biggest programs in the land. Notre Dame originally was interested and reports say that the Gronkowski has made recruiting visits to Florida, Ohio State and Syracuse.

And according to Dick Gallagher, who publishes the Western New York High School Sports annual, the talent in Pennsylvania isn’t much greater than it is in this area.

“Hundreds of players from around here have gone on to play at good colleges,” he said. “The only difference between Pennsylvania and New York is that there is tremendous [fan] passion there. They live and die football. We don’t.”

The comments of Gordon Gronkowski, and one Rob made to another paper suggesting he would be living alone part of the time he was in Pennsylvania, have jeopardized his eligibility at Woodland, according to Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League Executive Director Tim O’Malley.

Gronkowski is currently eligible with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, according to O’Malley, because he and his father have moved into an apartment within the Woodland Hills School District.

But PIAA bylaws prohibit transfers for athletic intent. O’Malley said the WPIAL is concerned with the Gronkowskis’ public expression that football interests motivated Rob’s transfer. Gordon Gronkowski also told the Post-Gazette that he’s moving to the Pittsburgh area because he owns multiple G & G Fitness Equipment stores in the area.

A hearing has been set for Monday to determine if Gronkowski will remain eligible. The burden of proof is on the WPIAL, but O’Malley said the Gronkowskis have to answer to their statements.

“In this case we have before us information that they have indicated an athletic intent,” O’Malley said. “And they certainly have to dispute that.”

Gronkowski is still eligible to play at North, according to Section VI chairman Chuck Funke, once he completes the required 15 practices, including a specific number of non-contact days.

But will the Spartans welcome him back?

“He got kicked out of Williamsville North,” said one source, speaking on the condition on anonymity. “If he does come back, he won’t play there. He’ll play at one of the private schools.”

North athletic director Steven Ferenczy and district AD James Rusin both refused comment on Thursday. North football coach Mike Mammoliti has not returned several messages seeking comment. A message left with Gordon Gronkowski on Thursday was not immediately returned.

Rita Wolff, the district’s director of communications, confirmed that Gronkowski has officially withdrawn from the school, but added that it’s the district’s policy not to comment on student files.

“As far as we know it was a personal decision on the part of his family,” Wolff said. “We won’t comment on disciplinary action for any student.”

That an ulterior motive may have fueled Gronkowski’s transfer coincide with the belief held by many that Gronkowski’s stated intentions don’t make sense.

Gronkowski has already received 10 scholarship offers from major programs and was an early favorite to win the Connolly Cup.

Gronkowski told TheAmherstRecord.com last month that he wanted to lead the Spartans this year to Ralph Wilson Stadium for the first time in school history.

According to Gallagher, Gronkowski also could have been an All-WNY selection in basketball and baseball.

“I don’t see what the benefit of (transferring) is,” he said.

Contact Jonah Bronstein at 693-1000, Ext. 111, or bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com