Court dismisses lawsuit against AHSAA transfer rules

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (W.S.F.A) – The Montgomery County Circuit Court dismissed the case a lawsuit against the Alabama High School Athletic Association regarding the eligibility of a student-athlete.

The judge had previously issued a temporary restraining order in September over the AHSAA’s transfer rule, meaning the state could not enforce the rule while the order was in effect. On Tuesday, a judge dismissed the case.

The AHSAA said the ruling came after “a long series of lawsuits over five decades that have consistently held that AHSAA member schools have the right to create their rules of participation and that the AHSAA executive staff and governing bodies have the right to enforce those rules.”

The lawsuit stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the father of a Marbury High School student-athlete, who alleged that the AHSAA’s transfer rule violated the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. That student transferred from Prattville to Marbury, but would have to wait a year to play. The lawsuit alleged that AHSAA is arbitrarily enforcing the rule.

The lawsuit also claimed that cheerleading is exempt from the rule, despite having regional and state tournaments

“We are very pleased with the Court’s decision and appreciate its careful review of the facts and law,” said AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon.

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