Legality of restrictions on athletic eligibility of secondary school students

This study dealt with the problem of determining the legality of athletic eligibility restrictions at the secondary level. For the purposes of this study the problem was divided into five specific topic areas: gender-based discrimination, discrimination against the handicapped, transfer regulations, age limitations for participation, and academic eligibility.;This research includes a review of the rules and regulations of the fifty state athletic associations and the District of Columbia. Court cases, which challenge the legality of these rules, make up the legal findings of this research.;Female athletes cannot be discriminated against on the basis of their gender. Any sports program offered to males must be open to females or a separate and equal program must be provided for the female athlete. Males can be excluded from participation on female teams.;Any handicapped student, who can meet team requirements in spite of his handicap, must be allowed the right to participate in secondary school athletics. The school has an obligation to inform parents of the possible risk of injury but should not deny eligibility to a student against the wishes of the parents.;Transfer rules have been upheld by the courts when they have been viewed as having accomplished the purpose for which they were written, and when they were administered in a way that was neither arbitrary nor capricious.;All state athletic associations have set age limitations for participation in secondary athletics. The courts have upheld these regulations because of the danger of allowing mature adults to participate against less mature students.;Courts have upheld the right of states to set and enforce academic standards as a requirement for athletic eligibility.