Among Pennsylvania’s benchmark programs, Harrisburg High could enter the 2024 football season without its star quarterback.
A PIAA hearing to determine the eligibility of dual-threat quarterback and cornerback Shawn Lee Jr., a Pitt commit, is forthcoming, according to Lee Jr.’s father and Cougars’ assistant coach.
A date and time is yet to be determined.
Shawn Lee Sr. told PennLive Monday that Harrisburg submitted the appeal request following a District 3 ruling on his son’s eligibility last Tuesday via Zoom.
District 3 ruled 11-0 to deny eligibility.
Lee Jr. is accused to have exceeded four years of high school football. According to the Lee family, Lee Jr. has only played three years of football, beginning at Harrisburg in 2021.
The Lee family claims he was enrolled in virtual classes in 2020 but did not play football, when the COVID-19 pandemic affected the football season. The family is seeking a hardship waiver for that year.
“In February, a couple of schools were going in and were challenging his eligibility,” said Lee Sr.
“We’re going to get in front of the PIAA. It’s a later process than we hoped, but we’re waiting for a date.”
District 3 Executive Director Ron Kennedy referred all questions to Harrisburg.
- SEE ALSO: Harrisburg’s Lee Jr. commits to Pitt
Cumberland Valley athletic director Mike Craig, representing the Mid-Penn Conference, would not comment, citing the district’s policy on “closed” meetings.
Harrisburg did request the meeting be closed to media, Lee Sr. said.
“We’re just going through the process,” Harrisburg head coach Cal Everett said. “He had one hearing and has another hearing coming up. We’re going through the process, and we’ll see what happens.”
Harrisburg opens the season August 24 vs. La Salle College HS. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Severance Field.
Last month, Lee Jr. chose the Panthers over offers from Iowa State, Connecticut, Buffalo and Akron.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is coming off an All-State campaign that included 2,256 passing yards and 26 touchdowns in leading the Cougars to their third straight District 3 6A title.
Lee Jr. also rushed for 1,451 yards and nine scores.
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