On Friday, January 25, 2013, the United States Department of Education issued a ruling that disabled athletes are to be given the opportunity to participate upon their school's athletic teams or similar type of athletic activities. While this ruling has many different discussion points, we at PIAA, join the National Federation of State High School Associations' (NFHS), Executive Director, Bob Gardner, who proclaimed, "The NFHS and our member state associations will work together with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to enhance participation opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities." This folks is a great day.

PIAA has recognized the importance that extracurricular athletics has had upon a student's scholastic experience. Therefore, years ago, PIAA stepped to the forefront of this discussion and provided opportunities in a variety of activities for participation of wheelchair athletes, disabled athletes and those athletes with disabilities that may not conform with the standard rules of the games.

What has come of it? The answer is the development of an enriched atmosphere of collective opportunities for athletes, who are our brother and sister students, to participate on a competitive level. Sounds a lot like daily life, doesn't it? Developing the skills to compete and thrive in a competitive society.

In the past few years, we have assisted in the participation of wheelchair athletes in track and field. We have made numerous reasonable accommodations based upon requests in the sports of golf, cross country, football, soccer, basketball, swimming, baseball and softball to promote participation of athletes with various disabilities.

Have you heard of any of this? No, you probably have not. Why you ask? Because we have done it, not based on fanfare, but based upon actions being performed for the right reasons.

To provide for opportunities for young people to participate in activities that are an extension of the classroom. Educational based athletics that teach lessons in a competitive environment that make all of us share a common bond; a team, a school; a community. Folks, that is good stuff!

While we believe the programs we provide our youth are second to none, we also recognize those programs outside of our purview that provide many of the same opportunities. Programs, such as the Special Olympics, that have a long history in providing young people a chance to grow and experience the athletic arena. We, at PIAA, thank our brethren at the Special Olympics for their efforts and we recognize the thousands of volunteers, including many from our PIAA family, that willingly give their time, efforts and support to be part of these programs.

Now tell us; isn't that is a great day?

High school athletics; learning the skills to compete in a competitive society.