Cuts to high school sports schedule might be rescinded

Facing a barrage of complaints and a federal lawsuit, Florida's high school sports director is ready to rescind his plan for deep cuts in games next season.

Roger Dearing said he will recommend that the Florida High School Athletic Association board of directors vote down the two-year plan that the board approved April 27. The plan would cut games for varsity teams by 20 percent and junior varsity teams by 40 percent.

The impetus for the FHSAA meeting on Wednesday is a federal lawsuit filed by attorney Nancy Hogshead-Makar of Jacksonville on behalf of parents. The suit says the board violated Title IX, a federal law requiring high schools and colleges to offer equal sports opportunities for males and females. The FHSAA violated the law because it exempted football from its cuts, the lawsuit contends.

Dearing has said any cost saving in the reduced schedule would be negated by fighting such a lawsuit.

Board President Greg Zornes said he could not comment on how he thought the vote would come out. He was one of the members who approved the cuts in a 9-6 vote.

"I understand Dr. Dearing's rationale but can't predict what will happen. We have a very diverse board," Zarnes said. "There might be board members who think we can win a lawsuit and set a precedent. This has nothing to do with gender. I wouldn't have voted for it if I thought it was wrong."

Venice High Athletic Director Larry Sandburg said his school might benefit monetarily from not cutting the schedule because his volleyball and basketball teams usually make money.

"I believe they are going to reinstate the games because the gender issue is a little overwhelming," Sandburg said.

Joe Kinnan, athletic director and longtime head football coach at Manatee High, said he doesn't foresee any problems scheduling more games, though it would cost more because football is the only sport at his school that makes money.

"I think the (FHSAA) will put it back where it was because that is the most logical thing to do. It will be approved because of the threat of a lawsuit. They don't want to spend money for lawyers, which is counterproductive," Kinnan said.

Hogshead-Maker has said the lawsuit was not about money and has indicated she would drop it if the cuts were restored.