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Student won't play on Sabbath, Franklin doubles team out of tournament

Attorneys for Franklin schools have case of tennis player who refused to play because of his religion.

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By Rick McCrabb, Staff Writer Updated 11:27 PM Wednesday, May 19, 2010

FRANKLIN — Franklin High School’s doubles team will not be permitted to advance to Thursday’s district tournament, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced this morning.

Roxanne Price, OHSAA assistant commissioner, said senior Cody Buffenbarger and junior Stefan Mangroo were disqualified because the team didn’t play in Saturday’s sectional semifinals.

Stefan, a Seventh-Day Adventist, decided not to play Saturday because that’s his Sabbath.

She said the rules clearly state that teams that don’t play can’t advance to the next round.

At the seed meeting on May 2, Price said the Franklin coach or someone from the school should have mentioned that Stefan can’t play on Saturdays. At that time, she said, the schedule may have been adjusted.

Earlier, the state said New Richmond, which lost to Franklin 6-1, 6-1, in the sectionals would advance in Franklin’s place, but Price said only three teams would advance.

On Tuesday, representatives from Franklin and the Southwest District Athletic Board held a conference call, said Franklin Superintendent Arnol Elam.

The district’s attorneys, Bill Deters and Bronston McCord handled the case, said Elam, who noted that the doubles team “earned the right to go to district.”

At the time, he said he was “optimistic” the board would overturn its decision.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.

About the rule

Rule 13 of the Ohio High School Athletic Association 2010 boys tennis tournament regulations reads: "A player who voluntarily defaults a match, other than for injury or illness, shall be disqualified from further OHSAA tournament participation that year and is not eligible to receive an OHSAA tournament award. (for example) A singles player who is not physically present at a tournament cannot advance to the next level of the tournament.

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