Matzie Statement on the PIAA ruling against Aliquippa High School Football

Rep. Robert Matzie    January 24, 2024 | 7:39 PM

State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, issued the following statement after today’s decision by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to deny an appeal from Aliquippa School District and force Aliquippa to compete in the 5A class next season.

“The PIAA decision is disappointing, but not surprising. While non-boundary private schools recruit players from all over the United States and rural co-ops exploit known - but never closed - loopholes in their policies, a small, struggling, urban school district is punished for striving for excellence by the very body tasked with ensuring fairness.

“It is becoming clearer by the day that the current composition and operation of the PIAA is in dire need of review and examination. The organization is out of touch with the stark differences in demographic and socioeconomic factors from district to district. Their ‘one size fits all’ approach simply doesn’t work and hasn’t for quite some time.

“I will continue my efforts to take a closer look at the PIAA and lead in bringing about much needed changes to ensure fairness for all schools and student-athletes.”

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