HARRISBURG, Pa. — Many prominent officials sat down on Tuesday to discuss the issue of boundary versus non-boundary school competition in Pennsylvania high school athletics. House Bill 1983 was put into action to help balance out the competitive landscape of high school athletics, but issues still remain.
"PIAA I'm looking at you, You have the authority to do this," said State Rep. Scott Conklin. "You got a boundary small school playing against a national all-star team, competition is important and competition is about playing on a level playing field."
Rep. Scott Conklin, along with coaches and athletic directors, discussed ways to help level the competition after another year of PIAA competition, where many of the state champs reigned from non-boundary schools.
"I'll compete against anybody, as long as you are following the same rules that I'm following and you don’t live by another set of rules," said PA Hall of Fame Coach Jim Cantafio. "Understand that is all we're asking for a level playing field."
The PIAA released the following statement to FOX43
"HB 2104 of 1972 stated, that private schools shall be permitted, if otherwise qualified, to be members of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
The legislative intent was clear to allow private schools to participate with public schools for PIAA Championships.
This legislation passed the House of Representatives unanimously and on July 6, 1972, was passed by the Senate. Governor Shaap signed this into law on October 16, 1972.
On December 8, 1972, PIAA admitted 29 private schools into the membership.
The law ended segregation between public and private schools and PIAA does not discriminate among students.
PIAA will continue to abide by the law."
Despite the PIAA's stance, lawmakers say they will continue to push for change.
"This is about making the system fair," said Rep. Scott Conklin. "I believe that the PIAA would forget 1972 when a new piece of legislation is introduced, such as an amendment to a bill the PIAA made, the playoff system you made, the categories... the legislature didn't do that, you did."