Heightened interest and support to increase the number of classifications in football from four to six has caught the attention of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Today there will be a meeting in Mechanicsburg where several items will be discussed by the state's scholastic governing body, including a joint session with the Strategic Planning Committee and the Football Steering Committee to discuss possible changes to the format that has been in place since 1988."This conversation is important to have because it gives us an opportunity to look at an idea that people are supporting," said Robert Lombardi, executive director of the PIAA.In January, Lombardi met with the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association and heard the proposal for the six-classification format drawn up by District 9 chairman Bob Tonkin.That proposal, which includes a reduction in the season by one week from 16 to 15, a ratio of schools per classification in comparison to other states, a breakdown of what classification each school in the state would play in based on last year's enrollment numbers, and brackets and a format for state playoffs, received overwhelming support from the PSFCA.Today's meeting is the next step in the process aimed at change. There is a protocol the proposal must endure to pass, which includes clearing three readings by the PIAA Board of Directors. That is unless the board rules to suspend protocol if warranted."What surprised me was the overwhelming majority would like to see this change," Lombardi said. "It was a vote of 30-3 by the coaches. If it were 20-13 or 19-14, you would say people are lukewarm about this.""The people in that room really want us to take a good look at this."If the proposed change were to eventually be adopted, it's not likely to happen for the 2015 season because that is the first of a two-year cycle.However, the PIAA begins gathering data on enrollment numbers for member schools in October of this year for the next two-year cycle that begins with the 2016-17 school year. The goal would be to have a format either the status quo or changed in place by that time.The next meeting of the PIAA Board of Directors is set for May 20."Hopefully, this is the first of great dialogues to see what the wishes of the football steering committee are and the goals of the strategic planning committee are and where they both want go."Public vs. privateAfter a weekend of intense competition in Hershey for the PIAA basketball championships, the most heated discussions came off the court.Once again, the debate concerning competitive equality when a public school that is restricted by geographic boundaries plays a private or parochial school that has no boundary restricts raged on, and will continue to enrage some fans.In 1972, the state Legislature changed the school code forcing PIAA to accept applying private schools as member institutions.Lombardi said there will be, as there is every year, a full review of the entire basketball championship tournament, but that equal inclusion is a legislative mandate.A separation of public schools and private schools is not an option."The PIAA is about membership equality," Lombardi said. "The PIAA was mandated to accept those schools as members and we expect them to follow the rules. If any member school public or private does not, then the PIAA will take appropriate action."Our transfer rule has been crafted by the law on what has been able to stand up in court. By restricting transfers based on athletic motives, it gives us a puncher's chance. We have had a several appeals held up in our favor. Schools are doing a better job and their due diligence to help in this regard."Lombardi also emphasized again, that he is going to continue his crusade against charter schools sponsoring athletic programs.He has been steadfast since last winter's state basketball finals in seeking a proposal from the PIAA Legislative Oversight Committee in the Legislature that would force charter-school students to play sports for the public school district in which they live, and not the charter school.Increase in trackThere is a proposal circulating across the state to increase the number of classifications from two to three in track and field.No official discussion has taken place at the PIAA level, but Lombardi confirmed he has seen it but has not gauged its level of support.Athletes in track and field can qualify for the state meet by winning their individual event at their respective district championship event. They can also qualify by meeting performance standards set by the PIAA for their individual event."I think our track and field meet, because we have automatic qualifiers and we take kids on merit, is one of the best championship events the state sponsors," Lombardi said. "I fear that adding a classification could water down the premier event in that sport."There is more than one way for an athlete to qualify and that is performance driven. So, I'm not sure that we will see or need that type of change."