Aliquippa Football’s long battle with the PIAA over classification is resolved… for now.
The PIAA board voted on Wednesday to move the Quips from 4A to 3A over the next two seasons.
Aliquippa filed an appeal, calling to be placed in a classification they believed safety for its student-athletes.
“We are incredibly thankful to the PIAA for listening to our concerns and granting The Aliquippa Football Program the opportunity to compete in a classification that better aligns with our school’s demographics, location, and size,” head coach Mike Warfield wrote on social media.
Aliquippa was moved to 4A in 2020 after the PIAA started a new system that looked at transfers and recent program success.
The move up to 4A didn’t affect program success, the Quips won two PIAA State Championships in 2021 and 2023 and are the reigning 4A champions in the WPIAL.
Based on enrollment, Aliquippa is currently at 2A but the PIAA wanted to move the school up to 5A a couple of years ago.
But, a court order stopped that jump up.
Local State Rep. Rob Matzie released a statement praising the decision.
“I have shared the opinion of the Aliquippa School District that decisions related to the competitive balance formula should use actual enrollment and view each transfer on a case by case basis rather than a one size fits all approach,” said Matzie. “The legislative study I requested regarding the PIAA including the competitive balance formula of the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is expected to be released this spring.”