Sandison v. Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc.
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
64 F.3d 1026 (1995)
- Written by Tammy Boggs, JD
Facts
Ronald Sandison and Craig Stanley (plaintiffs) suffered from learning disabilities that delayed their progress in school and placed them two grade levels behind most other students their age. Sandison and Stanley participated in interscholastic cross-country and track teams during their first three years at Michigan public high schools (defendants), but the students turned 19 years old before the start of their senior year and were then found ineligible for continued participation. The schools belonged to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc. (MHSAA) (defendant), which had adopted regulations that prohibited students over 19 years old from playing interscholastic sports. The age-ceiling eligibility criterion could not be waived. Sandison and Stanley sued MHSAA and their high schools alleging unlawful disability discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act. The district court issued a preliminary injunction allowing the students to participate. The court found that cross-country and track were noncontact sports and Sandison and Stanley were not “star” athletes. MHSAA appealed, conceding that the students were disabled within the meaning of the act but disputing any discrimination based on disability.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Ryan, J.)
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