PIAA Votes Down Shorter Football Season

By: Bruce Markey
Friday, December 16, 2011 | 1:57 PM

After months of debate and a delay of another night in presentation, a proposal to shorten the PIAA Football season to 15 weeks failed to receive the needed 21 votes for passage Friday afternoon. 

Discussion included:
–statements of disappointment for the delay in bringing the discussion to the table (it was on the agenda for Friday night's session).
–statements of desire to send the proposal back to District Committees.
–statements of lack of support of shortening the season.
–statements of support for adding classifications.

Finally, around the noon hour Friday, the question was called to the floor.  16 yes, 10 no, 1 abstention.  And, with that, the proposal for a 15-week season with permission to replace the second scrimmage with a game, failed to pass.

It is possible the issue can come back to the floor for another vote but with the Football Championship games underway, it is not likely.  The pre-meeting agenda and supplemental materials did not include championship brackets for a 16-week season.  That issue will have to be addressed.