Game Changer Playoff Reform Bill Moves Forward in Push to Reshape PIAA Championships
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | May 13, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
Harrisburg, PA -- A major change could be coming to high school sports in Pennsylvania. House Bill 41—designed to let the PIAA create separate playoff brackets for public and non-public schools—just passed out of a key House committee with bipartisan support.
The bill, led by Rep. Scott Conklin, doesn’t force the PIAA to separate playoffs but finally gives them the green light to make the call. Advocates say it’s a long-overdue move to level the playing field, especially as non-public schools (private, charter, and parochial) continue to dominate state championships—often with more flexibility in recruiting.
For years, the PIAA said their hands were tied, citing legal limits from a 1972 state law. This bill aims to unlock that, without mandating a split. Now, it’s headed to the full House for debate, where it could spark more discussion around fairness, tradition, and the future of statewide competition.
