Religious Rights Foundation of PA, et al. v. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association

Thomas More Society has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of parochial school families against the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). The lawsuit challenges the PIAA’s discriminatory policy that denies parochial school students the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletic programs at their home public school districts when those sports are not offered at their religious schools, while granting the same opportunity to homeschool and charter school students.

The PIAA, which governs interscholastic athletics across Pennsylvania, has established bylaws that allow homeschool and charter school students to participate in sports at their local public school districts if their schools do not offer those activities. However, the PIAA has consistently refused to extend this same privilege to students attending parochial schools, forcing families to choose between their religious beliefs and their children’s ability to participate in extracurricular athletics. This disparate treatment violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, penalizing families for choosing a faith-based education.

The complaint argues that the PIAA’s policy unfairly discriminates against parochial school students based solely on their religious affiliation. As one parent-plaintiff stated, “Raising our children in a religious environment is the most important thing, but the PIAA’s policy limits their athletic opportunities.”

Thomas More Society is committed to defending the constitutional rights of parochial school families. Building upon a prior victory against the State College Area School District (SCASD) in June 2025, where a federal consent order ended similar discriminatory practices in an individual PA school distritct, attorneys are now seeking statewide remedy for parochial school families.

“The Constitution is clear,” said Thomas Breth, Thomas More Society Special Counsel. “Pennsylvania families do not have to choose between a faith-based education and their child’s educational and athletic opportunities. The PIAA must make this right, and we will continue to fight until parochial school students are afforded the same opportunities as every other student in the Commonwealth.”

This case is a critical step in protecting religious freedom and ensuring equal treatment for all students, regardless of their educational or religious choices. A victory would set a precedent for fair access to public school athletics programs across Pennsylvania, affirming that religious discrimination has no place in schools or athletic associations. It also strengthens the ability of families to prioritize their faith without sacrificing their children’s opportunities, ensuring that the constitutional protections of the First and Fourteenth Amendments are upheld for future generations.