A resolution calling on the PIAA to separate playoffs for public and private school athletics has advanced in the Pennsylvania House.
Sponsored by state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, H.R. 443 was approved by the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday by a 24-1 vote.
Conklin, who is majority chairman of the committee and who has advocated for the separation for several years, said the resolution is meant to encourage the state’s interscholastic athletics governing body to reform what he called a system that gives private schools an unfair advantage over public schools, which cannot recruit outside their district boundaries.
“Unlike public schools, which must recruit student athletes from within their district’s geographic boundaries, private and charter schools can hand-select the best athletes from anywhere they choose,” Conklin said in a statement. “The result is that they end up with all-star teams and a deeply unfair advantage over public schools.”
In 1972, the General Assembly passed legislation that allowed the PIAA permission to admit qualified private schools. The PIAA, which is an independent nonprofit organization, has broad authority and limited legislative oversight, and has the authority to determine eligibility for postseason play, according to a memo accompanying the resolution.
Much has changed since 1972, the resolution argues, including the the growing number of charter and private school options, and the lack of boundary restrictions on private schools has led to concerns about fair play and safety.
“The impact goes far beyond a win or a loss,” Conklin said. “It leaves public school athletes behind when it comes to important life opportunities like scholarships and recruitment for college and pro sports. Public school is supposed to be about opening doors for students and teaching them the importance of fair play, and PIAA needs to help reinforce those lessons.
“The association has the authority to make this change. It’s my hope that this resolution will bring them closer to doing so.”
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