MHSAA Will Ask Schools To Vote On Age Waivers

GAYLORD---The Michigan High School Athletic Association's Representative Council met Monday in Gaylord, and voted to send a proposal to its member schools allowing for waivers to the MHSAA's 19-year-old age limit rule.

This comes amidst public pressure to allow Ishpeming High School student Eric Dompierre to play for the Hematities this next school year. Dompierre has Down Syndrome, and was held out of school during his kindergarten year. He is 19.

MHSAA Director Jack Roberts statement.

“We recognize that member schools have preferred a bright line for the maximum age rule,” said MHSAA Executive Director Jack Roberts. “We have prepared for a vote of the membership what we believe is the best alternative – better for Michigan than any proposal we have reviewed from other sources."

Ballots will be mailed to schools later this week, and it will take a two-thirds vote of the schools to change the rule and allow kids like Dompierre to play.

Schools have two weeks to return the ballots, which must be signed by the school principal and superintendent. The MHSAA will post the wording of the proposal on its website not later than May 14.

But with the MHSAA fighting any change to the rule for two years, does the Association's leadership really want to start granting waivers?

“The Representative Council does not advance proposals it does not want the membership to support," Roberts said. "An affirmative vote by schools is being specifically requested on this proposal.”

The MHSAA, in its news release, told members of the media not to call for additional comments. No interviews are being allowed with MHSAA officials until after the vote is finalized.

Upper Peninsula State Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) has rallied to Dompierre's cause, convincing a Senate committee to hold hearings on the MHSAA rule. He also testified on behalf of Dompierre, and conducted numerous interviews with regional, state, and national media outlets on the issue. In an interview with RRN Sports on Monday, Casperson was pleased with Monday's MHSAA council vote.

Sen. Casperson Clip #4

"The family has been trying to get that for two years," Casperson said. "That's what they've been working on, trying to come up with a reasonable solution to this."

"So the fact that they (MHSAA) are going to propose this, and it's my understanding that (the association) supports this proposal, I just think that this is good news." Casperson urged Michigan schools to "do the right thing" and vote yes on the proposal.

Dean Dompierre, Eric's father and leader of the "Let 'em Play" movement, said:

State Sen. Casperson (R-Escanaba)

“Eric and I, along with over 90,000 people who have supported his cause, were excited to hear the news this afternoon that the MHSAA has decided to put a proposal before its member schools for a vote that will apparently provide for a specific and limited exception to Michigan’s age eligibility rule," Dean Dompierre said. "And, while we remain anxious to see the specifics of the proposal, we are hopeful that it will be fair to Eric and the students he represents, while at the same time ensuring that the integrity of high school sports remains strong. “

Currently under MHSAA rules, a student who turns 19 prior to Sept. 1 of a school year is not eligible for interscholastic athletics. Michigan is one of approximately 40 states which use this maximum or have a younger maximum age limit.

The MHSAA’s Constitution, which can only be changed by a two-thirds vote of member schools, does not allow the maximum age rule to be waived. Michigan is in the majority of states which do not allow waiver of the rule.

“While this decision is just the first step forward to ensure equity for students with disabilities, there is significant work yet to be done," Dean Dompierre said. "In fact, we remain ready to partner with the Association in any way needed to ensure that a proposal that benefits ALL students in Eric's position passes, and as a result ask our grassroots activists to stay engaged. "

"With their assistance, and with the leadership of MHSAA, I am confident that this rule change will be in place to save the upcoming season for Eric and his peers.”

Click the above audio buttons to hear more comments from Casperson on the issue, and click the video button to see Roberts' brief statement.

No schedule entries

Eric Might Play! MHSAA Rule Change Approved

Friday June 1, 2012

Ishpeming's Dompierre Testifies In Lansing

Wednesday May 2, 2012

Let The Kid Play! State Senate Hearing Wednesday

Monday April 30, 2012