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MHSAA Changes Rules To Allow Older Players Who Have Disabilities

Other episodes in this series: 
IPR News Features
Date: 
June 1, 2012

By Linda Stephan

The Michigan High School Athletic Association can now allow some students to play sports after they turn 19 years old. The change was voted on by member schools.

The old rule would have automatically barred a 19-year-old senior with Down Syndrome from playing football and basketball at Ishpeming High School, in Marquette County. More than 90,000 people signed a petition in support of the student on the website change.org.

Under the new rule, the athletic association can waive the age requirement if a student’s education has been delayed because of a disability.

The waiver can only extend playing time for one year, and there’s still a four-year limit on eligibility for high school sports.

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See More: disability, Disabled Adults, Down Syndrome, sports

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