PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The United States Congress weighing in on the state’s athletic board moving Aliquippa to 5A in football.
US Representative Chris Deluzio, who represents Aliquippa as part of his district, sent a letter to the PIAA worried about what he called a ‘surprise’ decision to require Aliquippa to move up yet another class because of their success.
“The community of Aliquippa and I are extremely concerned,” Representative Deluzio wrote about the school being forced to move up. “I add my voice to the chorus of people and community leaders worried about the fairness of this decision and its potential impacts on student-athlete safety.”
Deluzio said the decision feels unfair to many in the Aliquippa community that they are being punished instead of celebrated for the against-the-odds state football championship. It’s the second time the school has been moved up and he believes the PIAA doesn’t seem to acknowledge the school’s willingness to play at a higher level, but that being forced to 5A is too high.
He disputed the transfer requirement to increase in classification saying the school serves ‘a highly transient student population and football is the only competitive sport available to boys attending the school’.
The financial, emotional and physical issues of the move are also pointed out in Deluzio’s letter, as he says fewer players will have to play without adequate rest and recovery time increasing the risk for the student-athletes. He said the Aliquippa school district also does not have the same financial resources as other districts in 5A with much larger athletic budgets.
Deluzio adds he is aligning himself with State Representative Rob Matzie to examine and potentially overhaul PIAA policy, practices, finances and structure.
He also backs the comments made previously by Matzie that the decision is ‘an unfair, unsafe and dangerous disadvantage to our kids’.
The US Representative then urges the PIAA to accept Aliquippa’s appeal to remain at the 4A level (which is still two classifications higher than the numbers would place them).
“I know your organization seeks safe, fair, and enriching sports competition for all of Pennsylvania’s communities,” Representative Deluzio concluded to the PIAA.