TAPPS To Allow Religious Observance Flexibility
FORT WORTH (AP) - 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. 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.
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