Senator Robbins Appointed to the new Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) announced today that he has been appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, Robert C. Jubelirer, to the new Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee, which is charged with ensuring that the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Agency (PIAA) continues to comply with the 13 specific reforms put in place by Act 91 of 2000.

In 1998, after hearing widespread allegations about abuses at the PIAA, the Senate Special Committee on Interscholastic Athletics conducted an in-depth inquiry into the operation of the PIAA. The PIAA was originally formed by high school principals to "eliminate abuses, establish uniform rules, and place interscholastic athletics in the overall context of secondary education." It is organized as a nonprofit membership corporation comprised of more than 1,360 Pennsylvania high schools and junior high/middle schools.

The work of the Special Committee resulted in Act 91 of 2000, which established the Interscholastic Athletics Oversight Council. The Council was formed to oversee thirteen specific reforms at the PIAA, including opening meetings to the public, prohibiting conflicts of interest, undergoing annual audits, and providing fairness to student athletes. In February of 2004, the Oversight Council released it's final report stating that the PIAA had complied with the 13 reforms.

Senator Robbins, who was a member of the original Senate Special Committee and the Oversight Council called for the establishment of a permanent form of oversight of the PIAA to ensure that it continue the reforms that were put in place. With the support of Senator Robbins, the General Assembly unanimously passed Act 70 of 2004, which created a six-member legislative body to monitor the compliance of the PIAA with the reforms in Act 91 of 2000.

Senator Robbins said, "High school athletics has played an integral role in my life--from wrestling as a student to becoming a high school coach to doing radio sports casting. The truth is, the reforms that have been put in place will help restore the integrity of this organization. I am committed to making certain that the PIAA operates a tight fiscal ship in a manner that is fair to all student athletes."

Senator Robbins asked that if any constituent has a concern relating to the operation of the PIAA, they may write to him at Room 337, Main Capitol, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

CONTACT: Nate Silcox (717-787-1322