Eric Dompierre, a 19-year-old at Ishpeming (Mich.) High School who has Down syndrome, may be able to participate in school sports his senior year after all.
Currently, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) bans any student from participating in school sports if they鈥檝e turned 19 before Sept. 1. It鈥檚 the organization鈥檚 only rule that isn鈥檛 subject to waiver under the MHSAA constitution, according to its .
Dompierre, a rising senior who plays both football and basketball for his school, turned 19 in January, and has been ever since. He was allowed to finish out the year, under MHSAA rules, but wouldn鈥檛 be eligible for his senior year, barring a change to the constitution.
Lo and behold, after the case gained national media attention over the past few weeks, the Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) to allow member schools to vote on changing the constitution to allow for flexibility with the maximum age requirement, under 鈥渘arrowly defined circumstances.鈥�
The ballots were mailed out to schools this week, and the MHSAA must have the full proposal posted on its website by this coming Monday, May 14.
鈥淲e recognize that member schools have preferred a bright line for the maximum age rule,鈥� said MHSAA Executive Director John E. Roberts in a statement. 鈥淲e have prepared for a vote of the membership what we believe is the best alternative鈥攂etter for Michigan than any proposal we have reviewed from other sources.鈥�
鈥淭he Representative Council does not advance proposals it does not want the membership to support, and an affirmative vote by schools is being specifically requested on this proposal,鈥� he continued.
Dean Dompierre, Eric鈥檚 father, reacted positively on hearing the news that the MHSAA sent the proposed change to member schools for a vote.
鈥淲hile we remain anxious to see the specifics of the proposal, we are hopeful that it will be fair to Eric and the students he represents, while at the same time ensuring that the integrity of high school sports remains strong,鈥� Dean said in a on the website set up to support Eric鈥檚 cause.
Dean helped gather on an online petition in support of Eric being allowed to play school sports during his senior year.
Michigan is one of roughly 40 states to have an age limit of 19 for school sports (some states鈥� limits are even lower), according to the MHSAA. These limits aim to protect younger student-athletes from competing against significantly older, more-developed children. Of the states with an age limit, 23 allow waivers under certain circumstances, according to the Dompierre family.
The MHSAA will announce the results of the member school vote no later than May 31, according to the organization鈥檚 website, and will be making no further comments about Dompierre鈥檚 case until then.