Overview

• A federal interim consent order entered Monday and signed by Judge Matthew Brann makes parochial students eligible to play for their resident public school teams.
• Eligibility applies only when the student’s faith-based school does not offer the sport and, for now, only to fall sports as confirmed by the PIAA.
• The PIAA agreed to the order, with its board approving the consent agreement on Sept. 10 and advancing bylaw changes with a unanimous second reading.
• Plaintiffs’ attorney Thomas Breth said he expects final PIAA bylaw amendments by October, characterizing that timeline as an anticipated next step.
• Families are advised to contact their district athletic director and superintendent, who can confirm individual eligibility with PIAA leaders Dr. Lombardo and Mark Byers, following a 2023 lawsuit alleging First and Fourteenth Amendment violations and unequal treatment compared with homeschool and charter students.