Boston Schools: BPS appeals MIAA ruling that voids English playoff spot
A missed software submission by Boston Public Schools left the Eagles short of the minimum games required for state tournament qualification, prompting a formal challenge to the state athletic association's decision.
By Julia Wang ·
Boston Public Schools officials announced on Wednesday that they would appeal a decision by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association that stripped the English/New Mission Eagles of their state playoff berth. The BPS administration acknowledged that an internal error in scheduling submissions caused the disqualification, a finding that validates the frustration felt by a team that just captured the Boston City League title.
The ineligibility stems from a failure to log the Eagles' victory over O’Bryant High School into the ArbiterLive platform used by the MIAA for official scheduling. Because the game was not entered by the September 18 deadline required by MIAA rule 34.6, the contest was reclassified as a scrimmage. This technicality left English with a 4-2 record, one game short of the seven-game minimum necessary for state tournament entry despite their projected status as the No. 10 seed in Division 8.
A BPS spokesperson described the incident as a clerical error in submitting the schedule. The district stated that it shares the disappointment of the student athletes who worked hard throughout the season. Officials confirmed that a formal appeal is in motion to reverse the MIAA's ruling.
Timing presents a logistical challenge for the district. The first Division 8 playoff game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, featuring eighth-seeded KIPP Academy and ninth-seeded West Boylston. English has a nonplayoff matchup against Pentucket on Friday and is set to play its traditional Thanksgiving morning game against Boston Latin at Harvard Stadium.
This is not the first time BPS has faced postseason penalties for administrative oversights. In 2022, Fenway High boys’ and girls’ basketball teams were barred from the playoffs because BPS failed to submit a form accounting for players transferred from Dearborn High School. At that time, a BPS representative stated that the district owned the mistake and was taking steps to hold responsible staff accountable.
Avery Esdaile, the BPS athletic director who oversees 31 high schools, was not available for comment on Wednesday. The Boston City Council has publicly supported the district's position. On Wednesday, the council unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by councilor Ben Weber. The resolution condemned the MIAA's decision as draconian and unnecessarily punitive, urging decision-makers to allow the team to compete.
Precedent exists for schools successfully challenging such rulings. In 2024, schools in Western Massachusetts, including Minnechaug Regional and families from Monson High, took the MIAA to court over scheduling issues and won their cases.
