Robbins Renamed Vice Chairman of PIAA Oversight Panel

Committee charged with ensuring compliance with mandated reforms

Harrisburg State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) was appointed today (April 17) to serve as Vice Chairman of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee for the 2007-08 Legislative Session.

The committee 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.

"I am extremely pleased and honored to have the opportunity to continue serving as the Vice Chairman of this committee," said Senator Robbins, who served in that position last session as well. "High school athletics have played an integral role in my life -- from wrestling as a student to becoming a high school coach to doing radio sports casting. I remain committed to ensuring that the PIAA operates a tight fiscal ship in a manner that is fair to all student athletes."

The PIAA was 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.

Senator Robbins was a member of a Senate Special Committee created in 1998 after widespread allegations about abuses at the PIAA. 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. The Council called for the establishment of a permanent committee to monitor the PIAA.

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 constituents may write to him at Room 337, Main Capitol, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322