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Felder flap helps spark state probe of PIAA &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The controversy that almost cost Berwick High &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; School a shot at a state football title is one factor drawing the state's
attention to scholastic sportsFrom Staff and Wire Reports &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Intrigued by the Gus Felder eligibility case and reports about the PIAA's
cash surplus, state legislators want to know more about the way high school
athletics are regulated in Pennsylvania. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The House Education Committee will hold an informational briefing with PIAA
officials on March 4, specifically to learn more about the PIAA's eligibility
standards and its finances. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The workings of the private, non-profit Pennsylvania Interscholastic
Athletic Association also have attracted the attention of state Sen. James
Rhoades, R-Schuylkill, who will introduce legislation that would set up a
special commission on high school athletics. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The legislation is still being modified and put together, it may be
introduced soon," said state Sen. Charles Lemmond, R-Dallas. "I'm amazed at
how much interest there is on this subject. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "What everyone wants is a careful evaluation of interscholastic sports.
Most everyone has a story one way or the other on how they've been affected by
the PIAA. We need somebody to take an overall view of all aspects of
interscholastic sports. There are so many issues, none of us can afford to
look at just one aspect of this. I think an evaluation (of the PIAA) is very
appropriate and I expect to co-sponsor Sen. Rhoades' proposal." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Rhoades said his legislation would appoint a board to investigate the PIAA,
rather than having the House or Senate education committees undertake such a
probe. The PIAA, as a private organization, does not answer to any state
agency. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'm delighted," said Wyoming Valley West football coach Jim Cantafio.
"It's about time the PIAA has to answer to someone. I'm not suggesting that
there is anything corrupt going on, it's just that everybody should have to
answer to someone for their decisions and actions." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The House and Senate apparently were prompted to act by the PIAA Board of
Control's decision in November declaring Berwick lineman Gus Felder eligible,
even though his original high school class graduated two years ago. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The ruling, which overturned a decision by District 2 that had thrown
Berwick out of the playoffs, allowed the 'Dawgs to go on and win their fourth
consecutive PIAA Class AAA championship. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "No comment," said Berwick head football coach George Curry, before hanging
up. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Prior to that ruling, the Press-Enterprise of Bloomsburg reported the PIAA
refuses to pay some teams' travel expenses to state tournaments even as it
sits atop a cash surplus of $3.9 million. The PIAA has since disputed the
amount, saying its cash reserves are only about half that and include the
funds of individual districts, which it has never tapped. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Legislators also seem interested in reports the PIAA spent more than
$300,000 last year- approximately the salaries of six teachers- to send its
administrators to seminars and conventions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The actions of the PIAA have been questioned," said state Sen. Raphael
Musto, D-Pittston Twp. "I didn't get involved before, I thought it was a
pretty good system and the people handling it worked well, but apparently
there's been a lot of questions about their operations and now is the time the
legislature should get involved." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Felder case seems to have generated more controversy than any other
PIAA ruling in years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Coaches, school administrators and legislators are perplexed that a student
could quit high school for nearly two years, transfer to a school far away
from his home, yet still retain his eligibility. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I didn't agree with the (PIAA) ruling on the Felder case," said Greater
Nanticoke Area football coach Bill Jones. "But as far as the money situation,
I don't know anything about it. I've never had a problem with the PIAA. We've
been in PIAA tournaments and they always run classy events." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Felder, a Penn State recruit, originally enrolled at Philadelphia's Dobbins
Tech in 1992, yet was still playing football 11 semesters later at Berwick. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Something in Mechanicsburg (where the PIAA is based) stinks and the odor
is offensive to all of us," North Hills High School principal-coach Jack
McCurry wrote in a letter to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. &nbsp;&nbsp;&amp;nb

Felder Flap Helps Spark State Probe Of Piaa 
The Controversy That 
Almost Cost Berwick High 
School A Shot At A State 
Football Title Is One Factor 
Drawing The State's Attention 
To Scholastic Sports.

Felder Flap Helps Spark State Probe Of Piaa The Controversy That Almost Cost Berwick High School A Shot At A State Football Title Is One Factor Drawing The State's Attention To Scholastic Sports.