Law firms and activist organizations are advocating for the Indiana High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) to eliminate two specific diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) quotas for its board members.
The current policies stipulate that the board must include two female members and two members from racial minority backgrounds. This means that, out of 19 total board seats, 12 are filled by qualified individuals in general, while the remaining seven must include these two designated spots for women and racial minorities.
The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) and the Equality Protection Project (EPP) have sent a letter to the IHSAA, contesting these requirements and calling for significant revisions. They assert that no one should be disqualified from serving based on race or gender, emphasizing the importance of evaluating potential board members based on their qualifications and accomplishments.
“Quotas based on race or gender, like those mandated by the IHSAA, reinforce stereotypes and inhibit qualified individuals from contributing to the community,” the letter states. “We strongly urge this committee to reconsider these unconstitutional measures.”
PLF attorney Laura D’Agostino criticized the IHSAA guidelines, arguing that public commissions should mirror the diverse talents of all community members instead of adhering to arbitrary racial or gender categories. She insisted that anyone wishing to contribute should be allowed to do so based on merit.
The PLF and EPP concluded their correspondence with a deadline of May 30 for the IHSAA to agree to revoke these requirements.
EPP founder William A. Jacobson hinted that legal action could be pursued if the IHSAA doesn’t comply with their request. “We hope the IHSAA will recognize this issue and voluntarily amend these discriminatory provisions; however, we are prepared to explore all legal avenues if they choose not to respond,” he stated.
Recent actions at the federal level, including an executive order by former President Donald Trump, have focused on limiting DEI initiatives in both public and private sectors. Various states have been enacting their own laws to restrict taxpayer-funded organizations from engaging in DEI practices.
In Indiana, state legislation introduced by Republican Senators Tyler Johnson and Gary Byrne prohibits discrimination in education, public employment, and licensing based on personal characteristics. Governor Mike Brown signed this into law on May 1, after having previously issued an order to phase out DEI efforts in state agencies, advocating instead for policies centered on merit and excellence.
This executive order also prohibits the use of state resources for DEI initiatives, stating that agencies should not require job applicants to submit DEI statements.
