Victoria Ann Cape, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, Defendant-appellant, 563 F.2d 793 (6th Cir. 1977)

Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association appeals from a judgment of the district court declaring that present TSSAA rules applicable to girls' basketball violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The challenged rules call for six instead of five players on each team, impose half-court restrictions, and permit only forwards to shoot. A comparison of the TSSAA girls' rules and those published by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA), as set forth in the trial judge's opinion, appears as an addendum hereto.

Following a trial on the merits, the district judge issued a memorandum and order in which he concluded that there was no rational relationship between the legitimate state objectives and the chosen sex-based classifications. He held further that plaintiff's injury was not de minimis, and that she was thus entitled to redress.¹ 

The original declaratory judgment was augmented on December 27, 1976 by a further order enjoining TSSAA and other named defendants from promulgating and enforcing the basketball rules which the court found to be unconstitutional. We reverse.

Plaintiff Victoria Ann Cape, a junior at the Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, played as a guard on the Oak Ridge High School girls' basketball team during the 1975-1976 year. Plaintiff's complaint alleged that as a guard under the girls' rules, she was never able to "set up plays" and otherwise participate in the full playing and strategy of the game in such a manner as would be permitted under traditional basketball rules. She claimed that being deprived of the opportunity to play a full-court game and to shoot the ball (a function, which under the girls' rules, is confined to the forwards) makes it virtually impossible for her to obtain an athletic scholarship in basketball, as she lacks the necessary training in the shooting skills. Plaintiff points out that the State of Tennessee is only one of five states that continue to use separate rules for girls' basketball.

Following a trial on the merits, the district court specifically found no rational relationship between the different game rules and advancement of any of five admittedly legitimate objectives which the defendants sought to achieve:

1. To protect those student activities (sic) who are weaker and incapable of playing the full-court game from harming themselves.

2. To provide the opportunity for more student athletes to play in basketball games.

3. To provide the opportunity for awkward and clumsy student athletes to play defense only.

4. To provide a "more interesting" and "faster" game for the fans.

5. To ensure continued crowd support and attendance (game receipts) because these fans are accustomed to a split-court game.

Plaintiff did not sue as representative of a class and there is no indication that the other members of her sex who play girls' basketball under present rules share in any way plaintiff's views. Nevertheless, she has succeeded in procuring the order of a federal court which imposes her own personal notions as to how the game of basketball should be played upon not only the high school which plaintiff attends, but upon the approximately 526 junior and senior high schools, both public and private, in the State of Tennessee which are members of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.

No challenge is made here to the most apparent sex-based classification in this case. Entirely separate basketball leagues for males and females are maintained on the basis of sex.²  It must therefore be assumed, for the purposes of this case, that this classification by gender is valid, as it serves important governmental objectives and is substantially related to the achievement of them. Craig v. Boren, 429 U.S. 190, 97 S. Ct. 451, 50 L. Ed. 2d 397 (1976); Reed v. Reed, 404 U.S. 71, 92 S. Ct. 251, 30 L. Ed. 2d 225 (1971).

When the classification, as here, relates to athletic activity, it must be apparent that its basis is the distinct differences in physical characteristics and capabilities between the sexes and that the differences are reflected in the sport of basketball by how the game itself is played. It takes little imagination to realize that were play and competition not separated by sex, the great bulk of the females would quickly be eliminated from participation and denied any meaningful opportunity for athletic involvement. Since there are such differences in physical characteristics and capabilities, we see no reason why the rules governing play cannot be tailored to accommodate them without running afoul of the Equal Protection Clause.

There is no evidence of any intent to discriminate between the sexes. There is no claim that defendants discriminated in furnishing services and facilities on the basis of sex. Plaintiff's remedy, if any, should more appropriately be directed to activity within the framework of the Association itself, a framework which is not shown to be inadequate to resolve issues of this sort.

Reversed and remanded for entry of judgment for the defendants. No costs, a public question being involved.

ADDENDUM

NFSHSA Girls' &

TSSAA Girls' Rules Boys' Rules

1. Each team has six players Each team has five players,

(three forwards and three one of whom is the captain.

guards) one of whom is the

captain.

2. After the scorers are notified, Since all players play on the

any player in the game full-court, there is no comparable

may change from one court to rule.

the other during an intermission,

between periods, during

a charged time-out and following

a substitution. (This

must mean changing from one

half-court to the other

half-court).

3. Only forwards may play All ten players on the court

in their team's front court May play on the entire court,

(the half-court that includes front and back. There are restrictions

that team's basket). Only on "back courting"

guards may play in their a ball by the team in control.

team's back court (the

half-court that includes the

opposing team's basket).

4. Forwards may throw the The center restraining circle

ball into play (e.g. after the is never used as an area from

opposing team scores) from which to throw the ball into

the center restraining circle. play.

5. Only forwards may score Any team member may score

a goal for their team. a goal for his or her team.

6. Playing time shall be four Playing time shall be four

seven-minute quarters. eight-minute quarters.

7. If the score is tied at the Same--except each extra period

end of a regular game, play is three minutes in time.

continues without change for

one or more extra periods.

Each extra period shall be

two minutes in time.

8. All held balls are jumped All held balls are jumped at

at the nearest free throw the nearest free throw circle.

circle, except when a held ball

is called between two opponents

from different ends of

the court (e.g. between forwards

from opposing teams.)

9. Only forwards may shoot The offended player shoots

free throw(s) awarded because his or her own free throw(s)

of a personal foul. awarded because of a personal

(When a guard is fouled, a foul, except when injury

forward must shoot the free or disqualification forces

throw). the player to withdraw.