Published: August 22, 2006 09:42 pm      

HIGH SCHOOL: Gronkowski ruled ineligible to play in Pittsburgh

Rob Gronkowski now has two homes and nowhere to play.

The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League ruled Monday that Gronkowski, a Williamsville native regarded as one of the nation’s top college prospects, is ineligible to play football this season for Woodland Hills High School in suburban Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end was part of Williamsville North’s football program before enrolling at Woodland Hills on Aug. 11. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association rules, which the WPIAL follows, prohibit transfers for athletic intent. The WPIAL believed football interests may have motivated Gronkowski’s transfer, based on public comments attributed to Gronkowski and his father, Gordon.

At Monday’s closed hearing, the Gronkowskis and the Woodland Hills School District could not convince the WPIAL Board of Control that Rob enrolled at Woodland for any reason beside football.

Gronkowski and his father have moved into an apartment withing the Woodland Hills district. Gordon Gronkowski owns five fitness equipment stores in the Pittsburgh area.

A “vast majority” of the 19-member board decided Gronkowski transferred for athletic purposes, WPIAL Executive Director Tim O’Malley said Tuesday. O’Malley did not provide specific details on the hearing, citing a confidentially request by the Gronkowskis.

O’Malley said he believes the Gronkowskis will appeal the ruling to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, which oversees the WPIAL. That hearing is expected to take place Thursday.

Gronkowski is still eligible to play at North, according to Section VI chairman Chuck Funke, once he completes the required 15 practices.

But, as Greater Niagara Newspapers reported last week, sources allege Gronkowski transferred out of North because a pending school suspension would have kept him from playing in the Spartans’ first game. Williamsville district officials refuse to comfirm or deny the report.

North coach Mike Mammoliti said Thursday night that Gronkowski has not yet contacted him about returning, but that the Spartans would welcome him back on the team once he satisfies the eligibility requirements. For now, North is proceeding as if Gronkowski won't return.

It’s believed Gronkowski faces a three-day suspension at North, which, combined with the practices he’s missed, could delay his return until the third game of the season. Gronkowski could play in Week 1 if he enrolled at Western New York private school.

Gronkowski caught 36 passes for seven touchdowns last season, and was ranked last month by Scouts Inc. as the nation’s sixth-best high school tight end. He previously told TheAmherstRecord.com that his college choices have been narrowed to Syracuse, Ohio State, Arizona, Maryland, Clemson and North Carolina.

Gronkowski is eligible to play any sport besides football at Woodland Hills, according to O’Malley. According to Western New York High School Sports publisher Dick Gallagher, Gronkowski could have been All-WNY in basketball and baseball this season.

Contact Jonah Bronstein at 693-1000 ext. 111, or at bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com