The Rule 14 Ruling Discussion

A lawsuit has resulted in a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association from enforcing its recent amendments to a rule focused on private schools, multiple sources told The Oklahoman.

The OSSAA presents Rule 14, which elevates private schools to higher athletic classifications based on sustained postseason success, as an effort to achieve competitive balance. Bishop McGuinness, Mount St. Mary, Heritage Hall, Crossings Christian and Oklahoma Christian School claim the rule is unconstitutional and sued the OSSAA on Dec. 7, 2023.

Oklahoma County District Court Judge Richard Ogden ruled Tuesday that Rule 14 stands, but the amendments adopted last summer following board approval and a member school vote must be voided starting July 1.

Here’s how the preliminary injunction affects Rule 14:

Rule 14 coupling provision thrown out

Before the court ruling, the OSSAA’s Rule 14 included the coupling provision, which applied to soccer, cross-country, track and field and Class 6A-5A basketball. If a school has boys and girls teams in one of those specific sports that qualifies based on postseason success, then both must advance to a higher classification.

Here’s an example:

Crossings Christian’s boys basketball team advanced to Class 5A because of success. The Knights’ girls basketball team did not experience the same level of success but also moved to 5A because of the coupling provision.

Ogden’s ruling enjoined the OSSAA from enforcing the provision. Starting July 1, boys and girls teams at private schools do not have to move to new classifications together. This complicates logistics for sports that compete in districts and increases travel if boys and girls teams aren’t facing the same schools.

Class 5A cap returns

The court ruling brings back the Class 5A cap for Rule 14. This means a private school can advance no higher than Class 5A.

The OSSAA’s amendments had removed the cap, allowing private schools to reach Class 6A, but this can no longer happen. The preliminary injunction will also bar the OSSAA from bumping a private school higher than one classification.

No Oklahoma private school has an average daily membership matching that of a Class 6A public school.

Success factor changes

Under the OSSAA’s amendments, a private school had to finish in the top four during two of the past three years to move to a different classification.

Because of the court ruling, this criterion will no longer exist. Instead, the OSSAA will revert to the original success factor, which states a private school has to finish in the top eight during two of the past three years to elevate.

What remains of OSSAA's Rule 14?

The gist of Rule 14 hasn’t changed, so private-school programs will continue to move classifications based on postseason success. After moving up, a private-school program can drop to its original classification if it does not continue to meet the success factor.

Rule 14 took effect in 2011, and it has ignited debate since. The OSSAA had no private-school members until 1967, when McGuinness and Tulsa Kelley joined.

Oklahoma Football Coaches Association responds

The Oklahoma Football Coaches Association’s executive board released a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, following Tuesday’s ruling.

The OFBCA has created districts for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, but the preliminary injunction could change the placement of private schools, forcing the OFBCA to redraw the districts.

“As many of you know the lawsuit regarding Rule 14 was ruled on today,” the statement read. “At this time the OFBCA is working with the OSSAA and others to provide guidance to our membership. Please be patient in the coming days as we work to announce our reclassifcation/redistricting plan. Once we have a plan in place we will provide it, in detail, to our membership and the head coaches in our state.”

LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - Rule 14 was OSSAA’s attempt at creating competitive balance.

In December, numerous private schools initiated legal action against the OSSAA and the modifications it made to rule 14.

“We also have to abide by Oklahoma State Department of Education regulations and all,” Daryn Brantley, Marlow Public Schools Athletic Director said. “If a student moves into our district we have to take them. Over the years there’s been several things that there is not on equal competitive ground as far as between the private and public, so several years ago Rule 14 was put into effect to try to bring some balance.”

Brantley says they just want a fair playing field and want to play by the same rules, and they don’t feel like that’s the case, he says he thought they were getting closer to it with the new rule 14, but the injunction has put them back at square one and HE SAYS ITS frustrating because they feel like all the schools should be working together for the best interest of all the schools and say’s that’s not the case.

“Well, we’re just frustrated because we don’t feel like the playing field is equitable,” Brantley explained. “We’re not afraid to play anybody if we’re playing by the same rules, and if you take an honest good look at it, we’re not playing by the same rules because the private schools can control their ADM, their enrollment, who they allow in who they.”

As a result, the schedules and classifications for 2024-25 will undergo revisions.

The Marlow Outlaws Athletic Director says the Outlaws were in favor of the previous injunction because they believe it was only fair after meeting a level of athletic success

“It’s an issue that’s going to continue to grow, people are going to hear more about it,” Brantley shared. “I’m getting calls from some of our coaches obviously, some of our parents, fans, community members, “Hey, what’s going on,” so I know a lot of people are not happy with the decision made yesterday, but the judge made the decision and granted the injunction so we’re back to the original Rule 14... Private schools filed a lawsuit to get what they wanted so public schools are going to have to step up and do something to get what we want.”