Kyrell Hutcherson filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court against the WPIAL, the PIAA, attorneys representing both athletic associations, and the Kiski Area School District.
Hutcherson transferred from Kiski Area to North Allegheny in summer 2020 and initially was ruled ineligible by the WPIAL to play basketball at his new school.On appeal, the PIAA in October 2020 overturned the WPIAL’s decision, making Hutcherson eligible for the basketball regular season. However, the PIAA still denied him postseason eligibility under its transfer rules. Hutcherson turned to the courts and won an injunction a few months later, letting the then-junior take part in the playoffs.
The lawsuit seeks a judgment in excess of $75,000, plus punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. Hutcherson’s attorney claimed violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as the Dragonetti Act, which prohibits the wrongful use of civil proceedings. His attorney, without providing examples, wrote that other “students of color” who were granted eligibility under PIAA rules had a parent who was wealthy or “held a position of prominence in the community.”
His father, Detrell Hutcherson, was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and leased an apartment in Warrendale after “experiencing difficulties commuting from Vandergrift,” according to the lawsuit. It noted that Detrell Hutcherson recently had participated in a disciplinary hearing “in which his supervisor and union representative advised him to move closer to work or be on the path toward termination because of tardiness and attendance issues which stemmed from his long commute.
That decision led to Hutcherson’s first court battle with the PIAA. Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Connelly ultimately called the PIAA’s actions “arbitrary and capricious” and granted Hutcherson his injunction in February 2021. Connelly wrote that the PIAA spent most its appeal hearing focused on athletic intent and Hutcherson’s regular-season eligibility and not enough on testimony related to postseason eligibility.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former pizza delivery driver, resident take stand in Manny Ellis murder trialAlso Wednesday afternoon, a woman who lives right next to where the incident happened took the stand.
Read more »
Former medical director suing Seattle Children’s Hospital for alleged racial discriminationA former medical director of Seattle Children’s Hospital is suing the medical group after claiming he was racially discriminated against.
Read more »
How a former Ohio State assistant coach stole a 5-star quarterback from the Buckeyes’ backyardDrew Allar's road to becoming Penn State's starting quarterback started long before he was ever on the Nittany Lions' radar thanks to Mike Yurcich.
Read more »
Former Virginia House Speaker Filler-Corn will forego run for governor and seek congressional seatFormer Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn has decided against a bid for governor in 2025 and will instead run next year to represent the competitive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a fellow Democratic lawmaker.
Read more »
Former Virginia House Speaker Filler-Corn will forego run for governor and seek congressional seatFormer Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn has decided against a bid for governor in 2025 and will instead run next year to represent the competitive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a fellow Democratic lawmaker
Read more »
Former Virginia House Speaker Filler-Corn will forego run for governor and seek congressional seatFormer Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn has decided against a bid for governor in 2025 and will instead run next year to represent the competitive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a fellow Democratic lawmaker
Read more »