KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Iowa High School Athletic Association has ruled former Olathe North football star Arland Bruce IV ineligible for the 2020 season.
Bruce, who won the Thomas A. Simone Award as the top high school football player in the Kansas City area last season, announced earlier this month that he was transferring to Ankeny, Iowa, over uncertainty regarding the Eagles’ season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bruce said on Twitter that he “met all requirements to be able to play this season” before being ruled ineligible only hours before kickoff against rival Ankeny Centennial.
The family has hired an attorney and will appeal the decision, according to The Des Moines Register.
“We are fighting it and this will not be the end...a lot of explaining to be done by the so called ‘leaders’!!!” Bruce said on social media.
Met all requirements to be able to play this season and was ruled ineligible by the @IHSAA on GAMEDAY🤔!! We are fighting it and this will not be the end...a lot of explaining to be done by the so called “leaders”!!! @MatthewBain_ @ElginRucker @DMRegister @phillyboy14
— Arland Bruce IV (@abruceiv) August 28, 2020
Ankeny coach Rick Nelson said the school was informed about Bruce’s eligibility via email this morning. He confirmed that Bruce is appealing the decision, but said he likely won’t play tonight.
Bruce, who has verbally committed to the University of Iowa, rushed for 2,487 yards and 43 touchdowns as a dual-threat quarterback/running back. He also threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns, according to Olathe North’s MaxPreps page.
As a junior last season, Bruce led the Eagles to a runner-up finish in Kansas Class 6A.
He is the son of 1995 Simone Award winner and fellow former Olathe North star Arland Bruce III.
