Guys on Girls Team (NFHS)

[pavbref]

I agree with everything that you are saying. My daughter played on the girls team and managed the boys team. She would come home from practice full of joy when see was able to block the 6-5 middle hitter on the boys team (shes only 5-4).

I don't have a problem letting the boys play, but we were scoulded by our chapter officials for allowing the boy to play at the tournament. I have been around as a coach for over 11 years and as an official for 2 years. My school AD won't allow the mixed practices anymore for fear of a lawsuit. The officers in my chapter also have been sued in the past. That is where the directive has it's orgin.

My neice and sister both play on coed USAV teams, and I enjoy the sport. However, a lot of schools around me are looking at dropping boys volleyball due to budget woes. They look at it as a sport without a lot of support. As an official, I can see where they are coming from as most of the schools attendance at matches are from parents of players and significant others.

[PaREF]

I'm glad you're not in the ranks of the fuddy-duddies!

I'm not a lawyer by any means but I think they may be courting a lawsuit with their attitudes. The PIAA policy explicitly allows boys to play on girls teams (under these circumstances). If an official decides that he will refuse to allow this boy to play, I would think that the boy would certainly have a valid case if he chose to sue the official. I can't see where the official would have any legitimate defense and I would say that the PIAA would not back him since he is violating their policy.

Conversely, If a poor, defenseless princess got hurt by the big, bad boy I can't see how the official would be liable since he is following PIAA's written policy. I can possibly see the PIAA being sued and held liable for writing the policy but not the official for following it.