A federal appeals court has again upheld a lower court's ruling that reaffirmed an earlier ruling that the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) discriminates against female high school athletes by scheduling only their sports in nontraditional and less advantageous seasons, in violation of the U.S. Constitution and Title IX.

The National Women’s Law Center, which is of counsel in the class action law suit Communities for Equity v. MHSAA, praised the decision and urged MHSAA to immediately bring its scheduling of girls’ sports into compliance with the law.

“After eight long years, Michigan girls can finally cheer,” said Marcia D. Greenberger, Co-President of the National Women’s Law Center. “The court has once again ruled that the facts and the law are on the side of Michigan high school girls. MHSAA must stop forcing these girls to play second string and instead ensure that they have the athletic opportunities they deserve.”

East Lansing-based MHSAA, the state's governing body for high school athletics, said the ruling will not affect the sports calendar for the 2006-07 school year. The organization issued a statement saying it "will be studying its options following this decision."