HLS 14RS-3893 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 105
BY REPRESENTATIVE THIBAUT
ATHLETICS: Requests that the La. High School Athletic Assoc. (LHSAA) take immediate
action in reconsidering a ruling relative to student eligibility and that the LHSAA
develop a procedure for the association to verify student eligibility to participate in
interscholastic athletics at a given school prior to initial participation
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to immediately2
reconsider its ruling and reverse penalties relative to the eligibility of an athlete at3
Livonia High School and to develop policies and procedures, in collaboration with4
the state Department of Education and other appropriate stakeholders, that provide5
for a student's eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletic activities at a given6
school to be verified by the association prior to his initial participation.7
WHEREAS, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association has ruled that a8
freshman athlete at Livonia High School was ineligible to participate in interscholastic9
athletics; and10
WHEREAS, as a result of this ruling, Livonia High School has been ordered to11
forfeit several baseball and football games; and12
WHEREAS, it is widely believed by those in the community that the coaching staff13
and administration at Livonia High School acted in good faith and exercised due diligence14
in determining the student's eligibility; and15
WHEREAS, Livonia High School self-reported this potential eligibility issue and16
appealed the ruling, but the LHSAA rejected the appeal; and17
WHEREAS, this ruling has had a negative impact on dozens of student athletes and18
their families and on the community as a whole, and penalizing the school's athletic program19
in such a drastic way is unwarranted; and20 HLS 14RS-3893 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, according to its constitution, one of the purposes of the Louisiana High1
School Athletic Association is to promote the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play in all2
athletic contests; and3
WHEREAS, the constitution of the LHSAA states that the association is vitally4
interested in the welfare of every boy and girl participating in its athletic contests and that5
it is for the protection of their interests that the association operates; and6
WHEREAS, time is of the essence in this matter as the baseball playoffs begin on7
Wednesday, April 30, 2014, and immediate action by the LHSAA is necessary in order that8
the Livonia High School baseball team may participate.9
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the10
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana High School Athletic11
Association to immediately reconsider its ruling relative to the eligibility of an athlete at12
Livonia High School and reverse the penalties imposed on the school's football and baseball13
programs.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana House of Representatives does15
hereby further urge and request the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to develop16
policies and procedures, in collaboration with the state Department of Education and other17
appropriate stakeholders, that provide for student eligibility to participate in interscholastic18
athletic activities at a given school to be determined by the association prior to his initial19
participation.20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted21
to the executive director of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, who shall be22
responsible for disseminating a copy to each member of the association's executive23
committee, and to the principal of Livonia High School.24
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Thibaut HR No. 105
Requests that the La. High School Athletic Assoc. (LHSAA) immediately reconsider a ruling
and reverse penalties relative to the eligibility of a student at Livonia High School and that
the LHSAA develop a procedure, in collaboration with the state Dept. of Education and HLS 14RS-3893 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 105
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other appropriate stakeholders, to verify a student's eligibility to participate in interscholastic
athletics at a given school prior to his initial participation.