The PIAA’s Elephant in the Room
The question of whether the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) should separate public and private schools into their own divisions has been a topic of discussion for years. As a product of 14 years of Catholic education, I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in athletics during my high school career. Many of the teams that we played were public school teams from small communities where athletics were almost more important than an education. Unfortunately, I have witnessed firsthand the animosity that has surfaced between public and private schools.
The PIAA is the governing body of high school sports in the state of Pennsylvania. The PIAA was founded in 1913 and initially included …show more content…
Coaches from public school districts have been vocal concerning their disdain for the inequities they feel exist between public and private schools’ leverage pertaining to athletes, and performance and outcomes. Mark Hofsass, a recent head coach at Lower Dauphin High School, has stated “People think Boeheim is cheating. Nothing compared to what these charter schools are doing. In bed with AAU guys, all sorts of nonsense….Dudes living in NJ and whatever. Who cares. No one cares” (Gross par. 6). In the Lancaster online commentary, Mark Hofsass continues expressing this displeasure, saying, “It’s the ridiculous playoff system that allows them to compete with the real public school teams” (Gross par. 5). The separation of private and public schools in their own divisions is a way to eliminate the perceived problem. If the PIAA would follow through with this endeavor, parents and fans of public schools would not have to worry about private schools ruining their seasons year in and year out. Separate districts and state championships would give more hope to public schools and their student …show more content…
The simple solution to this dilemma does not exist. The PIAA is currently under the scrutiny of the state legislature. An act of the State Legislature admitted the private schools to the PIAA in the 1970’s and any change in the process would be subject to legislative review. At a recent state basketball championship, Robert Lombardi, the executive director of the PIAA, was questioned about the separation of private and public schools concerning the possibility of the PIAA considering defining boundaries and non-boundaries. His response was, “That would raise the ire of the Legislature” (Gross par. 37).
The value of high school athletics has never come into question. There are numerous positive things that come from participating in high school sports. The obvious qualities of teamwork, discipline and working toward improving ones skills are undeniable. High school sports are a fixture in small communities throughout the state and it should not provide a reason for divisiveness. Athletics should be a tool to bring people together, not tear them
The question of whether the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) should separate public and private schools into their own divisions has been a topic of discussion for years. As a product of 14 years of Catholic education, I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in athletics during my high school career. Many of the teams that we played were public school teams from small communities where athletics were almost more important than an education. Unfortunately, I have witnessed firsthand the animosity that has surfaced between public and private schools.
The PIAA is the governing body of high school sports in the state of Pennsylvania. The PIAA was founded in 1913 and initially included …show more content…
Coaches from public school districts have been vocal concerning their disdain for the inequities they feel exist between public and private schools’ leverage pertaining to athletes, and performance and outcomes. Mark Hofsass, a recent head coach at Lower Dauphin High School, has stated “People think Boeheim is cheating. Nothing compared to what these charter schools are doing. In bed with AAU guys, all sorts of nonsense….Dudes living in NJ and whatever. Who cares. No one cares” (Gross par. 6). In the Lancaster online commentary, Mark Hofsass continues expressing this displeasure, saying, “It’s the ridiculous playoff system that allows them to compete with the real public school teams” (Gross par. 5). The separation of private and public schools in their own divisions is a way to eliminate the perceived problem. If the PIAA would follow through with this endeavor, parents and fans of public schools would not have to worry about private schools ruining their seasons year in and year out. Separate districts and state championships would give more hope to public schools and their student …show more content…
The simple solution to this dilemma does not exist. The PIAA is currently under the scrutiny of the state legislature. An act of the State Legislature admitted the private schools to the PIAA in the 1970’s and any change in the process would be subject to legislative review. At a recent state basketball championship, Robert Lombardi, the executive director of the PIAA, was questioned about the separation of private and public schools concerning the possibility of the PIAA considering defining boundaries and non-boundaries. His response was, “That would raise the ire of the Legislature” (Gross par. 37).
The value of high school athletics has never come into question. There are numerous positive things that come from participating in high school sports. The obvious qualities of teamwork, discipline and working toward improving ones skills are undeniable. High school sports are a fixture in small communities throughout the state and it should not provide a reason for divisiveness. Athletics should be a tool to bring people together, not tear them