Dompierre Family Speaks to Senate Committee Today

Dean Dompierre, founder of Let ‘Em Play, and his son, Eric, have been asked by Senator Tom Casperson to testify before the Michigan Senate Education Committee in support of SR 145.

Eric Dompierre is a 19-year-old junior with Down syndrome who attends Ishpeming High School.

SR 145, sponsored by Casperson, proposes that the Michigan High School Athletic Association replace its policy on age eligibility that prohibits student athletes, like Eric, from participating in their senior year of high school sports.

Casperson said MHSAA’s age policy is a well-intentioned but outdated rule that unnecessarily punishes students with disabilities who sometimes reach high school at an older age through no fault of their own.

The meeting will be streamed live on Senate television, beginning at noon Wednesday, and can be viewed at http://senate.michigan.gov/tvschedule/tvlive.htm.