THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 14, 1994 TAG: 9410140698
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: RICH RADFORD
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Since Lorenzo Thompson won his federal court case and was granted an age waiver by the Virginia High School League due to a learning disability in elementary school, six similar cases have come before the VHSL.
The VHSL has granted waivers in five of those cases, including the case of Deep Creek football player Vernon Boone. It also has also drafted criteria for age-rule appeals, according to publicity director Bob Button. The most telling criterion, and the one cited in all six cases, deals with learning disabilities.
The VHSL says it will consider granting a waiver if the individual falls under one of these categories:
Long-term physical impairment or illness.
Significant limited intellectual capacity.
Significant identifiable emotional disorder.
Identifiable perceptual or communicative disorder.
Speech disorders.
There are two other types of cases the VHSL says it will consider - non-English speaking students and/or foreign refugees placed in lower grades - but cases have not been brought forward for either criterion.
The VHSL adds that no waivers will be granted for individuals more than a year beyond the VHSL standard, which limits participation to those not turning 19 prior to Oct. 1. by CNB