MECHANICSBURG – Student athletes attending charter, cyber charter and faith-based schools are now eligible to participate in sports that aren’t currently offered where they attend.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, at its Wednesday agenda meeting, passed an amendment changing its original stance on the issue.
Now, under the amendment, charter, cyber charter and faith-based schools are encouraged by the PIAA to enter a cooperative sponsorship agreement with other schools to offer the sports they currently lack.
If no agreement exists, student athletes at these schools are now eligible to participate in the sport they choose in the school district they reside in, provided all other eligibility requirements, including school-verified evidence of full-time attendance, is met.
The PIAA classifies a private faith-based school that integrates religious beliefs into its programs and activities.
PIAA Executive Director Robert Lombardi said the amendment, as currently written, applies to fall sports only.
The amendment change stems from a January lawsuit brought against the PIAA by The Religious Rights Foundation of Pa., based in State College, alleging discrimination against parochial school students.
The plaintiffs were three sets of parents whose students attend the State College, Huntingdon and Mars school districts.
The parents and students are members of the religious organization that is also a plaintiff.
That organization filed a similar suit against the State College Area School District that included extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
That order states that parochial students are entitled to the same generally available benefits as those the school district provides to homeschooled and charter students.
A motion was also made and passed for a first reading to also include students from vocational-technical schools, alternative schools and magnet schools.
Further discussions will be held at the board’s Dec. 3 agenda meeting.
Board members also discussed options concerning eligibility status of foreign exchange, international students and foreign students,
Currently, foreign exchange students are eligible for one varsity season of interscholastic sports. Foreign students attending Pennsylvania schools are only eligible for interscholastic sports if they meet current PIAA transfer/waiver rules.
The board took no action on either matter after its discussion.