With Friday night lights just mere hours away, the Montgomery County Circuit Court granted a temporary restraining order against the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), allowing Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education Act (CHOOSE Act) students to be eligible to play.
On Friday, Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) jointly filed an order arguing that the CHOOSE Act contained "clear language protecting CHOOSE Act participating students' eligibility for AHSAA-sanctioned athletic events." Their filing came after the AHSAA issued a ruling requiring student-athletes who transfer to sit out for one year before competing in athletics solely because the student participates in the school choice voucher.
According to Ivey's office, the temporary restraining order specifically prohibits the AHSAA from “enforcing any rule or policy which makes the acceptance of CHOOSE Act funds the sole determinative factor of eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletic events.” All other rules and policies of the AHSAA “remain in full force and effect," per the Friday ruling.
“Today’s order is a victory for common sense,” said Ivey. “Every child deserves true choice in their education and that includes their right to participate in school athletics. The court’s decision restores fairness to the process which is, of course, the very basis of the CHOOSE Act. I will continue standing up for our parents and students to ensure the law is followed and that every child in Alabama has a fair chance to succeed in the classroom and in athletics.”
“I am incredibly grateful that the court sided with Alabama’s student-athletes and restored their right to compete,” Ledbetter stated. “The bottom line is that no person or entity’s opinion is greater than the rule of law. Every student deserves to have the opportunity to participate in athletics, and with this action, affected students can get off the sidelines and back into the game while we continue fighting to ensure a level playing field.”
See the court order below:
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