FHSAA: Proposed Bill Would be a Dangerous Law Damaging Fairness in High School Athletics

Mar 20 • 9 Views • View Comments

Contact: Jon Peck
850-222-1996

FHSAA: Proposed Bill Would be a Dangerous Law Damaging Fairness in High School Athletics

The Florida High School Athletic Association, a private, not-for-profit organization, and its 798 member schools issued the following statement in response to the House Choice and Innovation Committee’s approval of House Bill 1279:

“Fairness and playing by the rules would be dealt a damaging blow if this proposed bill becomes a dangerous law. This policy change would jeopardize the integrity of high school athletic competition by creating the equivalent of ‘free agency’ for student-athletes. It would invite the tragic element of cutthroat recruiting to the wholesome world of prep sports. Legislators need to see this for what it is: legitimizing cheating and rewarding rule breakers.

“We support the principle that every student-athlete be given a chance to play – but it should be in a proven system that promotes honor, fair play, character and truthfulness. This legislation will only derail our 93-year track record of promoting fair play and protecting young athletes from unscrupulous, win-at-all-costs recruiters.

“As we have for years, the FHSAA wants to work with lawmakers to strengthen high school athletics, not undermine them. We continue to stand for fairness, sportsmanship and playing by the rules. This legislation takes an unwarranted cheap shot at fair play – and it is a frontal assault on the positive tradition of school spirit that exists in Florida’s high schools.”

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