HS Athlete With Down-Syndrome, How Would MA Handle?
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Eric is a 19-year old with Down syndrome, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) does not allow students older than 19 to participate in athletics. It is the only rule that the MHSAA does not allow itself to waive, and Eric’s father Dean has already collected over 7,000 signatures for his online petition at change.org so that Eric can play football and basketball next year.
Massachusetts High School Rules
So what would happen if the same case where to occur here in Worcester? Well, that is a bit unclear. According to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) handbook, there are exceptions that can be made to allow an athlete to play beyond the age of 19, but there is also no mention of disabilities.
“A student shall be under 19 years of age, but may compete during the remainder of the school year, provided that his/her 19th birthday occurs on or after September 1 of that year,” the handbook states.
The handbook also goes on to say that no student can compete for more than four years from the time they begin participating, but does allow certain extensions on eligibility based on accident or illness that would cause the student to miss time.
“In special cases where a student has been absent from school because of an accident or illness, the executive director, or his/her designee, shall have the authority to extend the student’s eligibility upon presentation of a doctor’s certificate on the student’s behalf and a letter from the principal attesting to the inability of the student to attend school during a specific period because of an accident or illness,” the handbook states.
Case by Case Rulings
So, if there is some wiggle room for students when it comes to accidents and illness, what about disability? Especially in the case of a student like Dompierre who would only be entering his fourth year of competition. MIAA spokesman Paul Wetzel thinks that student would have a compelling case.
“We have had cases where students are over the age limit, but have missed time with injury or illness. We probably get one each year,” Wetzel said. “Since this student is a special needs student, I would expect the school to file a waiver for that rule, and it would certainly be strongly considered… The goal of these rules is to help all kids participate, and my guess would be they would have a pretty decent chance.”
Dave Shea is in his first year as Athletic Director for the Worcester Public School System. Shea says he has never personally had to deal with a situation like Dompierre’s, but that every school would have to handle each case differently.
“On matters like this, it would be up to the principal or coach to file,” Shea said. “I would be in touch with the MIAA, but, ultimately, it’s up to that school to make their case in each instance.”
Similar Case in Worcester
One school currently going through that process is Worcester Technical High School. There, track and field coach Gerry Sney has just filed a waiver with the MIAA for one of his special needs athletes to compete at the age of 21. Sney expects a ruling from the MIAA in the next week, and is confident they will allow his athlete to participate.
“We filed, and now we’re just waiting on the ruling,” Sney said. “Massachusetts has always been really good with special needs athletes, at least in my experience, and I trust that they will make the right decision.”
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