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By JOHN ERZAR jerzar@leader.net
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 Page: 1B
The PIAA decided Tuesday to continue with its state basketball playoffs
even if the United States goes to war with Iraq.
“Our position is – and it’s pretty much shared nationwide when we spoke to
the National Federation (of State High School Associations) office – that
probably the best thing for our community, our pride and unity was to continue
on,” said Melissa Mertz, PIAA assistant executor director. “`We will not let
them win by shutting down everything in our society.”
The PIAA held a staff meeting on Tuesday and decided to release a statement
to media outlets via e-mail and to the public through its Web site. The
following is an excerpt:
“While this is a difficult decision, and one that cannot be completely
right or wrong with our country potentially at war with Iraq, the Pennsylvania
Athletic Association Inc. (PIAA) has decided to complete its 2002-2003
inter-district basketball championships as scheduled.
“This decision was not easily reached and there should be no
misunderstanding as to PIAA’s priorities during possible wartime. However, we
believe that maintaining continuity in our daily lives, and particularly in
the lives of our youth, who pass through high school only once, is one means
by which we can demonstrate, in the face of adversity, the strength of our
society.”
The PIAA has eight semifinal basketball games scheduled for tonight. Its
eight state championship games will be played Friday and Saturday at the Giant
Center in Hershey.