Dompierres respond to MSHAA rule change
The Michigan High School Athletic Association made a rule change Thursday that paves the way for an Upper Michigan student to participate in sports next season.
The following is the family’s response to the MHSAA decision:
Dean Dompierre, founder of Let ‘Em Play and the father of Eric Dompierre, issued the following statement in response to the announcement from the Michigan High School Athletic Association today that an overwhelming majority of its member schools have approved its proposal to change the Association’s Constitution to allow for a waiver of its maximum age limitation in certain, specific circumstances.
“Eric was so excited today to hear the news this morning that the proposal has passed and that he has a chance to play with his friends and teammates in his senior year. While this has certainly been a long journey, I am so thankful that fairness prevailed in the end. While we were confident that schools would approve this change if finally given the chance, we were pleasantly surprised and extremely gratified to see the statement they made through such a decisive vote that it is time to modify this outdated rule and allow children like Eric to compete in their senior year of high school athletics. That vote certainly reflects our confidence that this rule strikes the right balance between maintaining the integrity of high school sports and the special needs of students like Eric.”
“Of course, this change would not have happened without the tremendous support and assistance of so many caring and concerned people, including the 90,000 people who expressed their support for a rule change, the media members who spread our message across the country, and the Michigan legislators who were determined to help these young student-athletes. Eric, Jill, and I remain humbled and sincerely grateful for their efforts and advocacy, and look forward to celebrating the rule change with them, either in person or in spirit, when Eric takes to the football field this fall.”
More information on this issue can be found at http://www.letemplay.us