Seton LaSalle transfer Anthony Smith, an up-and-coming quarterback with multiple college offers, remains ineligible for his sophomore season after the PIAA denied his appeal Friday.
The WPIAL first ruled Smith ineligible following a hearing July 21, finding his transfer from Southmoreland was motivated, at least partially, by athletics, a decision Seton LaSalle appealed. The PIAA heard his appeal Friday morning and upheld the WPIAL decision, keeping Smith ineligible, said PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi.
In an email Friday, Lombardi said: “… based upon the testimony presented, the appeal board sustained the District 7 decision on period of ineligibility for one year from the date of the transfer.”
The PIAA identifies the WPIAL as District 7.
Under PIAA rules, transfers cannot be “motivated in some material way by an athletic purpose.” The denial of eligibility comes two weeks before high school football season starts statewide with Week Zero games Aug. 22.
Seton LaSalle athletic director Kenny Klase declined comment on behalf of the school’s administration.
A 6-foot-2, 190-pound rising sophomore with several Division I college offers, Smith emerged last season as one of the WPIAL’s top young quarterbacks when he passed for more than 2,000 yards. Syracuse, Sacramento State and Towson were first to offer him scholarships.
Smith’s father, Ron, told TribLive in June that the transfer to Seton LaSalle was not for athletic intent, saying it put his son in a “safer” environment.
As a freshman, Smith broke a Southmoreland school record when he passed for 2,110 yards last season. He threw 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 11 games while completing 53% of his passes (129 of 244).
Coaches voted him all-conference honorable mention in the Class 3A Interstate.