Williamsport, PA - Parochial school families represented by Thomas More Society attorneys sued the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) for religious discrimination, after the PIAA refused to permit parochial school students to participate in PIAA governed interscholastic athletics activities at their home school districts, if their parochial school does not offer the PIAA activity, while permitting other students the ability to do the same. Earlier this summer, a consent order was signed by a federal judge in a related case brought by Thomas More Society, ending the home school district’s discriminatory exclusion of parochial school students from extracurricular activities, including participation in athletic programs.

In a groundbreaking June 10 settlement, Thomas More Society secured victory for Catholic school families against the State College Area School District (SCASD) after it was discovered that the district was allowing charter school and homeschool students to participate in SCASD extracurricular activities but denying that same opportunity to Catholic and other parochial school students.  

“The PIAA is a state actor and must abide by the Commonwealth’s laws and respect the constitutional rights of Pennsylvanians. That means allowing parochial school students the opportunity to participate in sports offered at their home school district when the sports are not offered at the student’s parochial school,” said Thomas Breth, Special Counsel at Thomas More Society. “Educational experiences, be it in the classroom or on the field, are integral to the development of young students, and those opportunities cannot be denied to students based solely on their families’ faith-based educational choice.”

This began two years ago on July 10, 2023, when Thomas More Society attorneys filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of parochial school families asserting the State College Area School District’s carve out of parochial school students from public benefits violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

“The Constitution is clear; Pennsylvania families do not have to choose between a faith-based education or their child’s educational and athletic opportunities. The PIAA must make this right. Until then, we will continue to fight for these students and their families to ensure they have the same opportunities as every student in the Commonwealth, regardless of their educational choice and religious affiliation,” Breth added.

Read the Complaint, filed July 29 by Thomas More Society attorneys in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, in Religious Rights Foundation of PA, et al, v. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, here.

Additional Information

Signed Consent Order in Religious Rights Foundation of PA, et al. v. State College Area School District, et al. (June 10, 2025)

Memorandum Opinion Denying Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss in Religious Rights Foundation of PA, et al. v. State College Area School District, et al. (December 1, 2023)