Court rules student athlete who transferred out of SF school over antisemitism will remain benched

"A transfer student at the Branson School in Ross will remain temporarily blocked from joining her track team in competitions following a ruling in Marin County Superior Court. Judge Mark Talamantes rejected an attempt by the teen's father to overturn a decision by a California Interscholastic Federation athletic commissioner. Playing high school sports is a privilege, not a right, Talamantes wrote in his Friday ruling."

"Bart Schachter sued the federation last year after a commissioner, Pat Cruickshank, found his daughter to be ineligible to compete for half of the spring season for Branson's track team. She also missed half of the varsity tennis season because of the decision, Schachter said. The sophomore transferred to Branson last year after she experienced antisemitic harassment at San Francisco University High School, another private school, her father said."

Judge Mark Talamantes denied a request to overturn a California Interscholastic Federation decision, leaving a Branson School sophomore temporarily ineligible to compete in track meets. The student transferred after alleged antisemitic harassment at her previous private school. A CIF commissioner ruled she must sit out half the spring season, and she also lost half of the varsity tennis season. Under CIF rules transfers typically sit out half a season, with a hardship exception for safety or discrimination. Branson's track season starts Feb. 9 and the ineligibility ends March 25. The student may practice with teammates during the six-week period.

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