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WPIAL boots City Schools’ Allderdice and Obama Academy soccer teams, to be in compliance with PIAA’s 2023 ruling

Pittsburgh Soccer Now has learned that City Schools Allderdice and Obama Academy boys and girls soccer teams have been ruled ineligible for WPIAL section and postseason competition. 

WPIAL (PIAA’s District 7) officials have shared that soccer games scheduled in the WPIAL featuring Pittsburgh City Schools’ (PIAA District 8) Allderdice and Obama Academy, who have been competing as associate members, are now no longer considered section matches, and will only count as friendlies.

WPIAL chief operating officer Vince Sortino shared this with the schools in an email on Thursday.

Sortino stated in the email that the two schools were included in WPIAL section alignments at the City League’s request (as they have been in previous years), but due to a PIAA rule that was passed July 2023 that states that schools which are not from the same district can no longer request an exemption to compete in different districts as associate members.

For a number of years, primarily due to lack of schools within the City League who field soccer teams, the WPIAL included Pittsburgh City Schools soccer teams in its section competition as an associate member.

The bottom line here is that WPIAL (District 7) officials and Pittsburgh City Schools Athletics (City League – District 8) misguided the City League schools to continue to compete in the WPIAL in soccer (and also Tennis) even after this rule was put in place by PIAA before the 2023 season.

The PIAA Rule states: Teams from member schools are eligible to participate in PIAA District Championship tournaments and Contests only in the PIAA District in which they are a member.

The PIAA board approved the change in February 2023 and member schools voted 799-27 to enact the rule effective July 1, 2023.

In order to stay in compliance with this rule, the WPIAL informed Allderdice and Obama Academy’s soccer teams — nearly a year and three months later — that they are not eligible to compete in the WPIAL playoffs.

Sortino told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Thursday that the the ineligibility was noticed only recently.

According to Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s latest Playoff Projections, Allderdice’s boys soccer team (6-3-1, 4-2-1 in Class 3A, Section 3), who did not play on Thursday, are currently in 3rd place in the section they’ve been assigned, and would have been in line to secure a playoff berth.

Obama Academy’s boys team (4-8-0, 2-8-0 in section), also in Class 3A, but in Section 1, played on Thursday, losing 2-1 at Mars.

Allderdice’s girls team (4-7-0, 2-5-0 in section) competes in Class 4A, where they’ve been battling for a playoff spot in Section 3.  Obama Academy’s girls side has been competing in Class 3A and were not in contention for a playoff spot.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now has reached out to both Allderdice and Obama Academy teams.

Sources with Allderdice’s teams have said they will be fighting this ruling to retain their eligibility.

This is a developing story, and Pittsburgh Soccer Now will have more to share as it unfolds.  

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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