PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – On Wednesday the Aliquippa football program had its appeal heard in front of the PIAA board in an attempt to remain at 4A, while the state wants them to move to 5A for competitive balance reasons.
The state won and Aliquippa’s mayor called into Colin Dunlap on 93.7 The Fan to react.
“You don’t care about our kids,” Dwan Walker said on 93.7 The Fan about the PIAA. “You don’t care about nothing they do. You don’t care what happens to them.”
Walker believes the students at Aliquippa are being unjustly punished for being successful in football. He said it’s not all they do, but it’s ‘their bag’ playing football.
It’s not only the two state titles in three seasons at 4A, but the PIAA claims it’s the use of transfers as a reason the Quips should move up four classifications. Aliquippa’s head coach admitted to having five transfers on their team, but said they had minimal impact on their success.
He wished the WPIAL, the governing body of District 7 which includes southwestern Pennsylvania, did more to support them. Saying they don’t follow their own mission statement.
“Cowards,” Walker called the administrators of the WPIAL.
Pennsylvania’s US Representative Chris Deluzio and State Representative Rob Matzie had previously sent letters to the PIAA disputing the original ruling and encouraged the board to consider how Aliquippa is by the numbers a 1A school. They believe the move could lead to financial, emotional and physical issues with the Aliquippa student-athletes.
Walker points out Aliquippa has a 12.7% unemployment rate, 29% under the poverty rate and it’s a school district that provides 100% free lunch.
The Aliquippa mayor, a former football coach, told Colin Dunlap they aren’t afraid to play bigger schools. It’s just becoming unsafe for the students in his town. He challenged parents at any other districts to be ok with their kids being moved up four classifications, saying they would be worried for the children’s safety.
He also questioned the PIAA decision to reject Farrell’s wish to move in the WPIAL. They denied it, in part, because of concerns about the school having to travel an hour to Pittsburgh for games or vice versa. Walker wondered about the concerns for Aliquippa students and families traveling to Penn Hills or Peters Township.
Walker ended his time on 93.7 The Fan with this statement directed towards the PIAA.
“Let one of our kids get hurt, you will have hell to pay.”
State Rep. Rob Matzie reacted after the ruling.