Pennsylvania ADs Strongly Favor Separate Playoffs for Public and Private/Catholic/Charter Schools

Survey shows majority of athletic directors want to see division between boundary and non-boundary schools in PIAA championships

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A recent survey of public high school athletic directors in Pennsylvania found that around 95% of respondents would like to see separate playoffs for public and private/Catholic/charter schools in the state's PIAA championships. The push for separate playoffs is being led by a group called the 'HB 41 Support Group', which is advocating for a state bill that would give the PIAA the authority to make this change. The survey results come as the debate over competitive equity between boundary and non-boundary schools continues, with some arguing that non-boundary private and charter schools have an unfair recruiting advantage.

Why it matters

The public vs. private school debate has been a long-standing issue in Pennsylvania high school sports, with concerns that non-boundary private and charter schools are able to recruit athletes from a wider geographic area, giving them a competitive edge. This survey shows strong support among public school ADs to address this perceived imbalance through separate playoffs, though the PIAA has historically been reluctant to make such a change.

The details

The survey was conducted by a group called the 'HB 41 Support Group', which is pushing for a state bill that would allow the PIAA to establish separate playoffs for boundary (public) and non-boundary (private/Catholic/charter) schools. Over 200 public school ADs in three PIAA districts responded, with around 95% indicating they would like to see this separation. The group plans to get more ADs and school superintendents to sign a petition supporting the bill, which is currently tabled in the state House after being advanced out of committee last year.

  • The HB 41 bill was adopted by the state legislature in 2025.
  • The bill is currently tabled in the state House, with the 'HB 41 Support Group' hoping it will be voted on within the next 3 months, by May 2026.

The players

Casey Scanlan

A resident of the Lehigh Valley and leader of the 'HB 41 Support Group' that is pushing for separate PIAA playoffs between boundary and non-boundary schools.

Scott Conklin

A state representative who sponsored HB 41, the bill that would give the PIAA the authority to establish separate playoffs.

Bill Cherpak

The legendary football coach and athletic director at Thomas Jefferson High School in the WPIAL, who supports the idea of separate playoffs but did not participate in the survey.

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What they’re saying

“Our hope is that within the next three months, maybe by May, the bill will be on the House floor for consideration and voted on by the House.”

— Casey Scanlan, Leader of the 'HB 41 Support Group'

“This [public vs. private] has been brought up many times before, but it seems like this group is more organized and more determined to get something done than anyone in the past.”

— Bill Cherpak, Football Coach and Athletic Director, Thomas Jefferson High School

What’s next

The 'HB 41 Support Group' plans to get more public school athletic directors and superintendents to sign a petition supporting the bill, in hopes of getting it to a vote in the state House within the next 3 months.

The takeaway

The strong support shown by public school athletic directors for separate PIAA playoffs highlights the ongoing debate over competitive equity between boundary and non-boundary schools in Pennsylvania. While the PIAA has historically been reluctant to make such a change, this organized effort by the 'HB 41 Support Group' could potentially lead to a resolution of the issue through legislative action.