In July 2023, we decided to move from King of Prussia and Devon shared with the Upper Merion basketball coach that he would be transferring to Monsignor Bonner, the Catholic high school closest to where we were searching for a home. In August our offer was accepted on a home and Devon began working out with the Bonner basketball team. School started in September and Dev was playing with the team in off season games. Transfer paperwork was submitted to the PIAA in the beginning of September but in November we were notified that Upper Merion was contesting the transfer, asserting that it was motivated solely by athletics, which is clearly not the case.
Why is this important?
It is important to allow Devon to play basketball this season as he should not continue to be punished for a decision his parent made to move. Devon is an honor roll student, has adjusted well to his new school despite leaving his friends of 10 years behind and he is passionate about the game. In a year where Dev lost his Pop Pop, 16 year old cousin and his Oma, he was looking forward to basketball season as it has always been his outlet. If UM is successful, he will have to sit out the entire season - he doesn’t go back to UM as we have moved - so what is UM’s end goal? In a day when so many young people find themselves in trouble or not engaged in school, to do this to a good kid goes against what these educators are paid to do.
