There’s been so much going on that I haven’t even had a minute to update here.
On October 4th, the night before my Allderdice High School Soccer team would qualify for the playoffs, we were notified that we were now ineligible.
It’s overly complicated but I’ll try to explain. We’ve been competing in the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) since 2012. The WPIAL is considered District 7 by the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association). My school, in the City of Pittsburgh, is considered District 8. My school district, the Pittsburgh Public Schools, is the only school district in District 8. So, the soccer team (along with some other sports) have been considered associate members of the WPIAL (District 7) for 12 years. We’ve been assigned to their sections, completed regular seasons and competed in the WPIAL Playoffs, for 12 years when we qualified. Apparently, in early 2023, the WPIAL made some adjustments to their “constitution” and removed our exemption that allowed us to compete in the District 7 season and playoffs. But here’s the kicker…THEY DIDN’T TELL US. They didn’t tell us in February of 2023 when they wrote it. They didn’t tell us in July of 2023 before that season started or at any point throughout that season. They didn’t tell us when they assigned us a section in Spring of 2024. They didn’t tell us in July of 2024 before the season began or as we were racking up wins against our “section” foes.
They told us on Friday, October 4th, 2024 at 7:25pm, 20 months after they had voted on it and about 14.5 hours before we would play a game, win, and clinch a WPIAL Playoff spot!
The confusion and disappointment were overwhelming. So, in the days that followed, we started a very public campaign to try to overturn this decision. We argued that since they hadn’t told us, our season should be allowed to run its course in the WPIAL. I was interviewed by the online publication, “Pittsburgh Soccer Now.” I did an on-air television interview with local NBC station, WPXI. I started a petition. Some of our team parents wrote an Op-Ed. We begged and pleaded on our social media pages to “Let Us Play!”
Nothing.
So, now what we’re being told is that District 8 (Pittsburgh Public Schools) will have their own “playoffs.” There are 3 boys soccer teams in District 8-Allderdice, Obama Academy (also assigned a WPIAL Section), and Brashear (did not play a WPIAL schedule). Brashear and Obama play on 10/21 and then the winner of that game will play us on 10/23. Whoever wins that game will then play the District 9 Representative (which includes the counties of: Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter) in the sub-Regional Playoff game. Whoever wins that moves on to the PIAA Regional round.
When I began my Senior High School Soccer Season, my goal was for my team to make it into the WPIAL Playoffs and fight for that WPIAL Championship. Now, more than mid-season, those goals are no longer possible. Now, the goal is to just help my team go as far as possible.
Yesterday I found out that I, along with 3 of my teammates, was named to the All-Section team for Class 3A – Section 3 (in the WPIAL!). I am very honored and very thankful that the Coaches in that section recognized us despite the sudden ineligibility rule. Thank you all!
Go Dragons!
