Lawsuit against the AIA dismissed

September 5, 2014 by Jose Garcia, AZPreps365


A federal lawsuit filed by two former Deer Valley High employees against the Arizona Interscholastic Association and the Deer Valley Unified School District was dismissed last week.

“This is a significant victory for us,” said Chuck Schmidt, the AIA’s associate executive director. “It showed that we were doing our job and nothing personal was involved.”

Below is a statement the AIA released Friday morning. 

PHOENIX, AZ (Sept. 5, 2014) – The lawsuit filed in response to the September 2013, the AIA Executive Board decision to place Deer Valley High School on probation for the 2013-2014 school year has been dismissed. 

The original action was taken by the Executive Board after the school knowingly violated AIA bylaws and played two ineligible players.   

“We are pleased that the matter is behind us.  While the Executive Board had no doubt that it had taken the appropriate action, this dismissal validates the position that was taken. It is always our intention to approach such matters in a way that upholds our mission to create a fair opportunity for all players. In the end, all interscholastic activities must uphold the values of teamwork, accountability, cooperation, and integrity.  That is what we want most for the future generation,” says Chuck Schmidt, AIA Associate Executive Director.   

AIA Media Contact: Brian Bolitho; Director of Business Media; bbolitho@aiaonline.org; 602-385-3822