Roae Eagerly Awaits PIAA Study by Legislative Agency

March 12, 2025

HARRISBURG — Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie) today reiterated his support for a Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) study of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) after its egregious actions against the Meadville Area High School (MAHS) Boys Basketball Team following its players being put in danger during a state playoff game last Friday.

“I’ve had grave concerns about the PIAA that go back much further than the recent unjust anti-student ruling that unfairly punished kids on the MASH basketball team for the actions of adults in the bleachers,” Roae said. “No minor should have to remain seated in danger when adults are having a brawl right behind them. The PIAA mandates all players except the five who are on the court remain seated, even if the building is on fire, a brawl is taking place near them or there is an earthquake. It’s past time the PIAA face some oversight and stop acting like an emperor.”

House Resolution 318, which passed the House on Oct. 22, 2024, requires the LBFC to study the PIAA, issue a report and make recommendations on the current status, management, structure, policies and finances of the PIAA. The report and recommendations are expected in the near future. The study must include an examination and review of the PIAA’s financial transactions over the last three years; broadcast agreements entered into over the last four years; its name, image and likeness policy; the competition classification formula used; its transfer policy; its request for proposal process used to determine the location of state championship games; the composition of its board and feasibility of adding state departmental and legislative appointees to the board; and expansion and enhancement of the oversight authority of the PIAA.

Late in the March 7 game between Meadville and Uniontown, the father of one of the Uniontown players physically attacked a Meadville parent. This started a brawl right behind the Meadville bench. The PIAA then disqualified Meadville from the tournament for standing up and walking to safety. The Uniontown team was also disqualified. This gave Hershey High School a bye in the second round.

The 6th Legislative District includes the city of Meadville; Beaver, Conneaut, East Fairfield, East Fallowfield, East Mead, Fairfield, Greenwood, Hayfield, North Shenango, Pine, Randolph, Sadsbury, South Shenango, Spring, Summerhill, Summit, Union, Vernon, Wayne, West Fallowfield, West Mead and West Shenango townships; and Cochranton, Conneaut Lake, Conneautville, Linesville and Springboro boroughs in Crawford County and Conneaut, Elk Creek and Springfield townships and Albion and Cranesville boroughs in Erie County.

Representative Brad Roae
6th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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