P.I.A.A. may go to a Public ~ Private split...
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THE CHOPS
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P.I.A.A. may go to a Public ~ Private split...
P.I.A.A. may go to public-private split ...
Pending court case could lead to changes in playoff format
The PIAA might be prepared to split its state championship playoffs into private and public sections should it lose a high-profile court case that will be decided this month.
PIAA executive director Brad Cashman said "there are members of the PIAA Board of Directors right now who would react that way [to provide separate playoffs] if we lose that case."
The case involves North Catholic girls' basketball coach Molly Rottman, recently suspended for one year by the PIAA for an alleged recruiting violation. Rottman has sued the PIAA in federal court, claiming a violation of her civil rights.
Rottman's attorney, Sam Reich of Pittsburgh, claimed Rottman's contact with a suburban Pittsburgh eighth-grader did not constitute recruitment of an athlete.
Rather, Reich (pronounced rich) is claiming Rottman has a constitutional right to talk to whomever she pleases, including parochial school students who play sports.
The suit will be heard Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. in Western District of Pennsylvania Federal Court in Pittsburgh. Judge Gary Lancaster will preside.
If Rottman's suit is successful, it likely will nullify the PIAA's current rules and penalties on the recruitment of student-athletes.
"There's no question that, if the judge rules against us, it would have the effect of turning our recruiting rule on its head," Cashman said. "I think there are people who believes this a line in the sand. It would clearly set up different standards between private and public schools regarding [contact of students]."
Cashman said a settlement offer has been made but is uncertain whether the PIAA will accept.
"At this point in time, I'm not optimistic that it will be settled before the hearing date," Cashman said.
If the PIAA loses the suit, it might not take any action. Rather, the organization might turn to the new legislative Oversight Committee for relief.
"We're literally going to the Oversight Committee if it comes down to it," Cashman said. "On the one hand, we have this legislative mandate to include private schools into the PIAA. On the other hand, we could have this court order that restricts our recruiting rules."
The Oversight Committee has not yet been formally announced by the General Assembly. The legislature will not return to session until late January.
"I can't say exactly what will happen, whether we prevail or not," Cashman said. "And I don't know exactly how we're going to react if we do lose the case. But, if it does go against us, we have to have a backup plan."
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Interesting story in the news about the appeal of the North Catholic girls coach's 1 year suspension for recruiting.
Her attorney plans to make the argument that the PIAA recruiting rules do not apply to NC Coach because she coaches at a parochial school.
"The issue is whether a Catholic school employee can talk to a student in a Catholic grade school," her attorney Reich said. "You cannot prohibit a Catholic school employee from trying to retain students within the Catholic school system.
"Why can public school employees try to retain public school students and get them to come to a school while it's different for Catholic schools?"
"THE CHOPS".
:roll:
Pending court case could lead to changes in playoff format
The PIAA might be prepared to split its state championship playoffs into private and public sections should it lose a high-profile court case that will be decided this month.
PIAA executive director Brad Cashman said "there are members of the PIAA Board of Directors right now who would react that way [to provide separate playoffs] if we lose that case."
The case involves North Catholic girls' basketball coach Molly Rottman, recently suspended for one year by the PIAA for an alleged recruiting violation. Rottman has sued the PIAA in federal court, claiming a violation of her civil rights.
Rottman's attorney, Sam Reich of Pittsburgh, claimed Rottman's contact with a suburban Pittsburgh eighth-grader did not constitute recruitment of an athlete.
Rather, Reich (pronounced rich) is claiming Rottman has a constitutional right to talk to whomever she pleases, including parochial school students who play sports.
The suit will be heard Dec. 21 at 9:30 a.m. in Western District of Pennsylvania Federal Court in Pittsburgh. Judge Gary Lancaster will preside.
If Rottman's suit is successful, it likely will nullify the PIAA's current rules and penalties on the recruitment of student-athletes.
"There's no question that, if the judge rules against us, it would have the effect of turning our recruiting rule on its head," Cashman said. "I think there are people who believes this a line in the sand. It would clearly set up different standards between private and public schools regarding [contact of students]."
Cashman said a settlement offer has been made but is uncertain whether the PIAA will accept.
"At this point in time, I'm not optimistic that it will be settled before the hearing date," Cashman said.
If the PIAA loses the suit, it might not take any action. Rather, the organization might turn to the new legislative Oversight Committee for relief.
"We're literally going to the Oversight Committee if it comes down to it," Cashman said. "On the one hand, we have this legislative mandate to include private schools into the PIAA. On the other hand, we could have this court order that restricts our recruiting rules."
The Oversight Committee has not yet been formally announced by the General Assembly. The legislature will not return to session until late January.
"I can't say exactly what will happen, whether we prevail or not," Cashman said. "And I don't know exactly how we're going to react if we do lose the case. But, if it does go against us, we have to have a backup plan."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting story in the news about the appeal of the North Catholic girls coach's 1 year suspension for recruiting.
Her attorney plans to make the argument that the PIAA recruiting rules do not apply to NC Coach because she coaches at a parochial school.
"The issue is whether a Catholic school employee can talk to a student in a Catholic grade school," her attorney Reich said. "You cannot prohibit a Catholic school employee from trying to retain students within the Catholic school system.
"Why can public school employees try to retain public school students and get them to come to a school while it's different for Catholic schools?"
"THE CHOPS".
:roll: