PHILADELPHIA Catholic schools cautious with PIAA

ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Philadelphia Catholic League athletics directors met with PIAA executive director Brad Cashman last weekend to hear why they should join the PIAA.
So far, the athletic directors aren't on board.
"It's an enormous thing," said Pat Manzi, athletics director at Wyncote Bishop McDevitt High School and president of Catholic League athletic directors. "We don't have all the answers. We're far from that."
The Catholic League is interested in its schools competing for state championships, but is concerned about which PIAA district or districts it would join, the retention of its own championships and how revenue would be affected.
Catholic League schools are located in District 1 and the soon-to-be-created District 12 (Philadelphia County), which will be comprised solely of Philadelphia public schools when they become part of PIAA in July.
Private schools
Currently, private schools located in Pittsburgh are permitted to compete in suburban District 7 (the WPIAL) instead of District 8, which includes only the Pittsburgh public schools. It is not clear whether Catholic League schools, if they join, would be able to join District 1, District 12 or both.
A written analysis of potential PIAA membership will be delivered to the Philadelphia archdiocese's Office of Catholic Education in the next few months, and a committee will be formed to study the information. Ultimately, the diocese's vicar of education will make the decision on PIAA membership.
Cashman would like to see that decision come sooner than later, preferably by October when the PIAA begins its reclassification process for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 school years.
"That would be helpful to us," Cashman said. "But they're the ones to make the final decision. If they choose to wait and see or if they choose to apply, that's up to them."
"Hopefully, by the fall we'll have a good decision," said Stephen Pawlowski, the assistant superintendent of schools for Catholic education in the Philadelphia diocese.