The organization in charge of private and parochial school athletics is allowing greater scheduling flexibility after a controversy surrounding a playoff date on the Jewish Sabbath.
The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools has changed its bylaws after a dispute surrounding a basketball playoff date involving an Orthodox Jewish school in Houston.
TAPPS had initially rejected Beren Academy's requests to reschedule a Saturday date last postseason, nearly forcing the team to forfeit.
Several parents filed a lawsuit seeking to force TAPPS to reschedule the semifinal. TAPPS relented and changed the time to Friday afternoon. Beren Academy eventually lost to Abilene Christian in a Saturday night championship final.
In the future, "no member school shall be required to participate on a day of Sabbath observance or a day of traditional religious holidays," the revised bylaw states.
