Millburn Township Public Schools
434 Millburn Avenue
Millburn, New Jersey 07041
PRESS RELEASE
December 20, 2024
For Immediate Release
Contact: Nancy Dries, Communications Coordinator, at 973-376-3600, ext. 40163
nancy.dries@millburn.org
ICE HOCKEY FOLLOW-UP
In response to the public comments made at the December 16, 2024 meeting and the related social media discussions, the Board would like to provide clarification regarding the situation involving a female student-athlete’s participation in ice hockey. While the Board is unable to address specific student matters in a public forum due to confidentiality requirements, we hope this communication helps clarify the circumstances surrounding this matter.
The Board values public input and encourages community engagement at our meetings. However, we are unable to engage in discussions regarding individual student cases in a public forum due to privacy and legal constraints, even when the outcome may be perceived as unfair or inconsistent with community expectations.
For the past three years, the NJSIAA has operated a pilot program for girls' ice hockey, allowing female players the option to participate on either a boys’ or girls’ team, as determined by their school. With the official sanctioning of girls' ice hockey in May 2024, the NJSIAA has implemented a policy stating that all female athletes must play on a girls' team if one is available. Millburn High School currently operates a girls' ice hockey team in cooperation with Chatham, and also participates in a cooperative program with Kearny and North Arlington for boys' ice hockey. According to the NJSIAA's policy, because Millburn offers a girls' team, female athletes at Millburn are required to play on that team.
Despite the Board’s multiple requests for a waiver or exemption from the NJSIAA's policy, the NJSIAA has upheld its position, stating that student-athletes and their families have been aware since the start of the pilot program that they would need to adhere to the policy once girls' ice hockey became an officially-sanctioned sport. The NJSIAA has further clarified that the policy is in compliance with Title IX, ensuring equal opportunities for all students, and that no exceptions will be made for individual cases.
While the Board disagrees with the NJSIAA's decision, we are bound by its authority as a member of the organization. Non-compliance with NJSIAA regulations could result in serious consequences, including financial penalties, the suspension of coaches, or the potential ineligibility of student-athletes across all NJSIAA-sanctioned sports programs.
The Board and administration have made every effort to address the concerns of the affected students. We understand the frustration this situation may cause, and should the NJSIAA’s position be challenged, the Board will not take a stance that would be detrimental to the impacted students.