Varina High senior drops legal fight over sports eligibility, transfers to private school

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Varina High School senior at the center of a residency dispute with Henrico County Public Schools will no longer pursue legal action to regain his eligibility to play sports.

Darren Williams, a three-sport athlete, was benched from playing football, baseball and track in September after the district ruled he did not live full-time within the Varina High School attendance zone. The decision sparked public backlash, including a petition signed by thousands calling for his reinstatement.

On Monday, Dec. 15, Williams’ attorney, Charlotte Hodges, filed a motion in Henrico Circuit Court to withdraw the complaint that sought permission for him to participate in Virginia High School League (VHSL) sanctioned sports and to formally transfer him out of Varina High School.

Williams was denied a request in October to continue playing football. While another court date had been scheduled for February that could have affected his eligibility for baseball and track, Hodges said financially, and the timeline of the case made it unlikely a ruling would come before the spring season. Continuing the legal process also risked extending beyond Williams’ senior year.

“We stand by what we've argued this entire time that the family did everything they were supposed to, in accordance with the law, in accordance with the rules of Henrico County Public Schools, to get Darren into a different school system,” Hodges said.

Williams will transfer to The St. James Academy, a private school in Springfield, Virginia. He plans to start in January, reclassifying as a junior for the spring semester, and then repeat his senior year in the fall to continue his academic and athletic career.

“We spoke with the Varina football head coach, Marcus Lewis, and he gave us some options. We also spoke with my mom, Darren's dad and this seemed to be the very best option for Darren,” said Darren’s mother, LaFaun Cain.

Williams will also be able to try out for all sports he’s played in previous years.

“One thing about The St. James Academy is they make sure your child is well rounded. That was one of the things we looked at,” said Cain. “They are a high, athletic training school as well as academics so that was something that was important to us.”

Williams said the decision was hard but brought relief. He said his teammates supported his decision to move forward despite having to leave.

“They want to see me shine,” Williams said. They told me on the bus ride back from Liberty, ‘You know, you're going to take over up there, you're going to be a star.’”

Williams also had a message for the Henrico County school district.

“Have fun watching me,” he said.

Cain described the outcome as bittersweet, saying the family had hoped he would finish his senior year at Varina but was grateful for the new opportunity ahead.

“This is just one of those things where he's going to prosper,” said Cain. “Darren is going to be just fine, regardless of what anyone has tried to do to him. He's going to be just fine. And we're just so proud of him.”