ISHPEMING, MI-- The mayor of Ishpeming has declared Thursday, October 18, 2012 “Eric Dompierre Day.”
The 19-year-old with Down syndrome recently was granted a waiver to play football and basketball at Ishpeming High School even though the rules said he was too old. Eric and his family waged a campaign, and member schools of the Michigan High School Athletic Association voted to approve waivers in certain circumstances.
Mayor Patrick Scanlon issued a proclamation Thursday stating Eric Dompierre “has proven that a student with special needs that possesses the determination and desire to participate in sports should be given the opportunity and not unjustly be denied the right to play because of an age restriction.”
The MHSAA constitution had said that students who turn 19 before September 1 are ineligible to play sports for the full school year. Eric Dompierre started school late because of his disability.
