PIAA considers expanding football classifications to six

The PIAA will consider a proposal this month to expand its football classifications from four to six and reduce the maximum length of the season from 16 to 15 weeks.

The four classifications are AAAA, AAA, AA, and A, with AAAA for schools with the most boys. Classes of AAAAAA and AAAAA would be added under the proposal, which the association's strategic planning committee will vote on July 23. If the committee, made up of administrators and athletic directors, approves, the issue will go to the PIAA board of directors for a final vote.

If both bodies approve, the classifications will begin in the coming school year.

Six classifications would reduce the number of schools in each from 145 to 100, said Brad Cashman, executive director of the PIAA.

He said a shorter season, including state playoffs, had been resisted by some schools, particularly in District 7. The district is essentially the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League.

"They see a shorter season interfering with their playoffs, which have been going on for a long time," Cashman said.

In another matter, about 3,000 sports officials who have registered with the PIAA since April 2007 must obtain background checks from the FBI, the state police, and the state Department of Public Welfare before officiating next school year.

Officials who joined the PIAA before that date have been grandfathered in.

"We're doing just as the school districts are doing" for employees, Cashman said. The checks will cost each official a total of $58.50.