Florida school punished for allowing boy on girls’ volleyball team due to DeSantis’ law
Florida High School Pays the Price for Letting Boy Play on Girls’ Volleyball Team, Thanks to DeSantis’ Law
Maybe this will teach them.
A high school in Florida’s deeply Democratic Broward County is learning the hard way that the Sunshine State takes a dim view of letting boys play in sports reserved for girls.
And it’s time to pay the price.
According to an Associated Press report Tuesday, the Florida High School Athletic Association has fined Monarch High in Coconut Creek $16,500 for allowing a 10th-grade male student to compete on the girls volleyball team for two seasons after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law specifically forbidding the practice.
Florida high school punished, fined thousands for allowing boy to play on girls’ volleyball team https://t.co/YoXMGmvEEV
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) December 13, 2023
The “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” was signed June 1, 2021, taking effect a month later.
“As a father of two daughters, I want my girls, and every girl in Florida, to compete on an even playing field for the opportunities available to young women in sports,” DeSantis said at the time.
“Women have fought for decades to have equal opportunities in athletics, and we have to prevent those opportunities from being eroded as is happening in other states. It’s common sense.”
Nonetheless, the boy was allowed to play on the girls’ team until November, when a phone call alerted the Broward County School District to the situation.
The coach, Alex Burgess, claimed he did not know the student was actually a boy, according to The Washington Post.
That might be true, though it strains belief.
Even if the boy’s gender wasn’t self-evident — he has been on testosterone blockers since he was 11 and taking estrogen since he was 13, according to the AP — his family had already challenged the law unsuccessfully, according to the Post, which means a coach even vaguely aware of what was happening at his own school probably should have been able to figure out what was up.
And the boy’s mother is an information management technician at the school, according to WPLG-TV in Miami. On a school campus, people do tend to talk.
Under the FHSAA ruling, the school’s principal, James Cecil, and Athletic Director Dione Hester must attend a seminar on compliance with the law during the summer of 2024, according to WPLG.
Cecil, Hester and Assistant Principal Kenneth May were “reassigned” at the beginning of the district’s investigation, WPLG reported. Their status wasn’t clear Wednesday, but Cecil and May were still listed in their positions on the school’s website.
The district “paused” Burgess in his coaching position, according to WPLG.
His status, as well as the status of the boy’s mother’s employment, was unclear Wednesday.
How does the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” aim to ensure a level playing field for female athletes?
Florida High School Pays the Price for Letting Boy Play on Girls’ Volleyball Team, Thanks to DeSantis’ Law
In a recent development, a high school in Broward County, Florida, found itself in deep trouble for allowing a 10th-grade male student to participate on the girls’ volleyball team. Monarch High School in Coconut Creek has been hit with a hefty fine of $16,500 by the Florida High School Athletic Association. This incident sheds light on the consequences of disregarding the state’s laws regarding transgender athletes in sports.
The issue took center stage after Governor Ron DeSantis signed the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” on June 1, 2021. The legislation aimed to ensure a level playing field for female athletes and prevent unfair advantages in women’s sports. Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of equal opportunities for women in athletics and the need to protect the progress made in this area.
“As a father of two daughters, I want my girls, and every girl in Florida, to compete on an even playing field for the opportunities available to young women in sports,” Governor DeSantis stated during the signing of the act. He further added, “Women have fought for decades to have equal opportunities in athletics, and we have to prevent those opportunities from being eroded as is happening in other states. It’s common sense.”
Despite the clear direction provided by the law, Monarch High School allowed the male student to compete on the girls’ volleyball team for two full seasons, stretching beyond the enactment of the legislation. This decision has now come back to haunt the school as it faces the financial repercussions of its actions.
The Florida High School Athletic Association has taken a firm stance against the violation, imposing a substantial fine on Monarch High School. This sends a strong message that the state of Florida does not tolerate the infringement of laws aimed at safeguarding fairness in women’s sports.
It is essential to respect and uphold the intentions behind legislation that seeks to promote equality and fair competition in sports. Allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports teams that align with their gender identity can create a more inclusive environment. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between inclusivity and ensuring a level playing field for all participants. The enforcement of laws like the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” plays a vital role in achieving this balance.
Monarch High School’s experience should serve as a cautionary tale for other educational institutions in Florida and across the country. By adhering to state laws and regulations, schools can avoid costly fines and penalties while upholding integrity in sports.
In conclusion, the case of Monarch High School paying the price for permitting a male student to play on the girls’ volleyball team underscores the significance of implementing and respecting laws that preserve fairness in women’s sports. Governor DeSantis’ decision to sign the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” demonstrates the commitment to providing equal opportunities for female athletes. It is now incumbent upon educational institutions to follow and enforce these laws to ensure a level playing field for all participants, regardless of gender identity.
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