When Myron Knight learned he was getting laid-off
from Boeing, he figured his biggest worry would be finding a new
job and choosing a field to get additional training that might
lead to a new career. With much anguish, he determined he could
no longer afford $500 per month to send his daughter, Ashley,
to Holy Names Academy - a private school where she excelled in
academics, as well as being a premiere basketball player. Little
did he know the nightmare he would face in simply trying to enroll
his very talented daughter into a public school and still allow
her to play basketball. Myron encountered a little known organization that literally held Ashley's future in their hands - the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). The WIAA's 116-page handbook outlines the criteria to transfer students from one school to another and still remain eligible for varsity sports.
Myron learned of their complicated rules after Ashley tried out for the varsity basketball team at Garfield High School. She was ruled ineligible to play, even though Ashley did not pick her new school, but instead submitted three choices to the Seattle School District, who subsequently chose Garfield for her to attend. Painfully, Myron realized what a serious business high school sports has become and that Ashley was the victim in a callous political game.
Confidently, Myron attended the initial WIAA hearing armed with his layoff papers, along with proof his wife had been laid-off from her job as a nurse earlier this year (strengthening the hardship case even further). Imagine his dismay when WIAA denied their appeal because they had not shown a financial hardship for transferring her out of a private school.
What made the decision even more appalling was the
fact that Stanford University (along with various other colleges
and universities) had expressed sincere interest in recruiting
Ashley. However, all scholarships were contingent on her playing
basketball her junior and senior year of high school - even though
she maintained a 3.7 grade point average taking precalculus, chemistry
and advanced placement courses. Determined to see that she played, Myron explored every avenue - filing an appeal, getting the Union's political director involved, contacting public officials, telling his story to the media, and even hiring an attorney to represent him to the WIAA. Thankfully, justice was served and after the second appeal hearing, the WIAA approved Ashley to play basketball at Garfield.
A special thanks to attorney Ed Lane (phone 425-746-3470), who accepted the case pro bono when he learned of Ashley's plight.
Myron is still shaking his head at the bureaucratic system that caused him so much stress and anxiety. "What could possibly be more of a hardship than having both parents laid-off from their jobs during 2002. I can't believe the extensive rules applied to high school sports or that any organization would try to deny a child the right to a good education (public or private)," Myron declared. "I appreciate the Union being there and helping in this matter. It shows the Union truly cares about its members and is willing to help - beyond just the Collective Bargaining Agreement. I am very grateful."
With the issue of eligibility settled, Ashley has a very bright future both on and off the court - and one that most certainly will include college.