1. Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. GEORGIA HS ASSN v. WADDELL 248 Ga. 542, 285 S.E.2d 7 (1981) Case Brief

2. Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. GEORGIA HS ASSN v. WADDELL PURPOSE: Some disputes are not legal disputes because no legally cognizable right is involved in the dispute.

3. Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. GEORGIA HS ASSN v. WADDELL CAUSE OF ACTION: Suit for equitable relief grounded in denial of due process and equal protection.

4. Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. GEORGIA HS ASSN v. WADDELL FACTS: Football game between Osborne and Lithia Springs in which referee assessed a penalty against Lithia Springs for “roughing the kicker,” mistakenly giving Osborne a fourth down instead of a first down. Osborne was forced to kick and Lithia Springs went on to score and win the game in the few remaining minutes. Trial court found a denial of due process and equal protection, cancelled the final score and set a new game to begin at the point where the mistaken call was made.

5. Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. GEORGIA HS ASSN v. WADDELL ISSUE: Whether a referee’s mistaken call in a high school football game raises due process or equal protection issues.

6. Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. GEORGIA HS ASSN v. WADDELL HOLDING: No. (The court also declared that courts of equity do not have authority to review referee’s decisions because they do not raise judicial controversies.)

7. Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning. All Rights Reserved. GEORGIA HS ASSN v. WADDELL REASONING: A high school football player has no right to participate in interscholastic sports and has no protectable property interest which would give rise to a due process claim. Regarding the equal protection argument, the court reasoned in essence that every decision discriminates against the loser, but that does not make it a 14th Amendment equal protection question.