Court rejects lawsuit against AHSAA transfer rules

MONTGOMERY, Ala.(WSFA) – Montgomery County Circuit Court denied Lawsuit against Alabama High School Athletic Association Regarding student-athlete eligibility.

The judge previously issued a temporary restraining order on the AHSAA’s transfer rule in September; This meant the state could not enforce the rule while the order was in effect. A judge dismissed the case on Tuesday.

The AHSAA said the decision comes “after a series of lawsuits spanning more than five decades that consistently asserted that AHSAA member schools have the right to establish their own eligibility rules and that AHSAA management staff and governing bodies have the right to enforce those rules.”

The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the father of a Marbury High School student-athlete who claimed the AHSAA’s transfer rule violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. This student transferred from Prattville to Marbury, but would have to wait a year to play. The lawsuit alleged that the AHSAA applied the rule arbitrarily.

The lawsuit also alleged that cheerleading was exempt from the rule, even though there were regional and state tournaments.

“We are very pleased with the court’s decision and appreciate its careful review of the facts and law,” said AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE Apple App Store And Google Play Store!

Related Posts