Senate Approves Measure for Dompierre Waiver Request
LANSING, Mich.—Legislation concerning the age limit of high school athletes passed unanimously out of the state Senate today, said Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba.
Senate Resolution 145 would change the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) age policy on interscholastic athletes.
The policy currently states that students who turn 19 prior to Sept. 1 of a school year are not eligible for interscholastic athletics.
The situation of Eric Dompierre, a constituent of Casperson’s with Down syndrome, highlights the need for the rule change. Eric, a junior at Ishpeming High School, will be 19 prior to the Sept. 1 cutoff date, making him ineligible for his senior year of high school athletics.
“I am very pleased that my fellow senators were able to come together and voice a strong message in support of certain, limited exceptions to the MHSAA age policy,” Casperson said. “Eric’s case is a perfect example. His love for football and basketball has led to his development as a student but has not provided an unfair advantage. This measure just makes sense.”
SR 145 will now be sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration.