Think back to your childhood days and how many times you may have uttered those words. Even as adults, most have thought about or spoken those three little words at some time when confronted with a situation that seemed unbalanced. In reality, life itself is unfair, but athletic competition is meant to be undertaken on a level playing field.
A copilot search of the internet revealed. “Fairness in athletic competition refers to the principle that all participants should compete under equitable conditions, ensuring that results reflect skill, effort, and talent rather than external or unique advantages. It is the foundation for maintaining the integrity, credibility, and public trust in sports.”
Perhaps William Shakespeare said it best while writing the play Hamlet — “there’s the rub.”
More than half a century ago, in 1972, Act 291 was passed to allow Catholic and other private schools to join the PIAA and compete against public schools in state championship competition. Debate and unrest have been continuing ever since.
Critics of the current system argue that private schools’ ability to recruit athletes from across the state gives them an unfair advantage in sports like football and basketball. They also cite safety concerns and reduced college recruitment opportunities for public school athletes.
The results of state championship games give strong credence to the argument.
• At this spring’s PIAA boys’ basketball state playoffs, private schools won all six state championships.
• Over the past five years, private/charter schools have won 33% of state football titles, with 6 of those in the past 2 years.
• Since 2020, private/charter schools have won 83% of boys’ basketball state championships.
Last month, in an attempt to address the current status, state Representative Scott Conklin (Centre County) sponsored House Bill 41 (also supported by local state rep Jamie Flick) that would allow the PIAA to have separate playoffs for public and private high school sports. The bill overwhelmingly passed the House by a 178-23 margin.
“PIAA’s existing playoff system forces athletes from public schools, which are limited to recruiting from within district boundaries, to compete against athletes from private schools, which can recruit from anywhere and amass larger, stronger teams,” Conklin stated. “The result is unfair, lopsided competitions that leave public school students on a dangerously unlevel playing field, subjecting them to added physical risks, and even depriving them of scholarship and recruitment opportunities. School sports are supposed to be about building confidence and teaching kids lessons in fair play, but the current system is teaching all the wrong lessons.”
If signed into law, the measure would amend the 1972 code to allow the PIAA to establish separate playoffs for boundary and non-boundary schools. Boundary schools are public schools that can only enroll students residing within their district. Non-boundary schools are private, parochial, and charter schools that are not bound by geographical limitations.
The proposal would not affect regular-season play between public and non-public schools.
The bottom line is HB 41 is a major legislative step toward potentially separating public and private school playoffs in Pennsylvania. The legislation would enable, although not mandate, the PIAA to create separate playoff systems. An amendment was attached to the bill that would protect the PIAA from lawsuits if it does establish separate playoffs.
“My bill would provide a way to end these increasingly dangerous competitions and provide the PIAA an avenue to establish separate playoffs and championships,” stressed Conlin.
The proposal has widespread support among the state’s public schools, but opposition exists from the private sector.
“We continue to oppose separate PIAA championships. HB 41 would impose an undue burden on our schools and students,” said Eric Failing, executive director of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.
A recent USA Today survey added further credence to the private schools’ dominance in Pennsylvania high school sports, listing seven schools among the state’s top ten high school sports programs.
1. North Allegheny HS – 24 sports
2. LaSalle College HS – 19 sports
3. St. Joseph Prep HS – 20 sports
4. Central Catholic HS – 19 sports
5. Archbishop Wood HS – 20 sports
6. Neumann Goretti HS – 15 sports
7. Radnor HS – 31 sports
8. Gwynedd Merch Academy – 14 sports
9. Dallas HS – 30 sports
10. Cathedral Prep HS – 13 sports
HB 41 moves on to the State Senate for its approval. If approved, the ball is in the PIAA’s court.
