BUTLER TWP — Butler’s lawsuit challenging the PIAA ruling the Golden Tornado football team ineligible to participate in the District 10n playoffs will not be heard in local courts.

The PIAA has requested the case be moved from Butler County Court Common Pleas Court to federal court in Pittsburgh, which is taking place.

“This is common practice,” Butler attorney Tom King said. “Of course they don’t want that case to be ruled on here. We know who our (Pittsburgh) judge is going to be and we’re prepared to move forward.”

King said no date for the hearing has been established. There is a possibility it will not take place.

One of the elements of Pittsburgh federal court is “mandatory mediation,” he said.

“Both sides have to meet with a mediator in an attempt to resolve this issue before it even gets to court,” King said. “There’s a chance that will happen, but there’s no way I can predict that one way or the other because I don’t know what kind of stance the PIAA is going to take.

“They may dig their heels in the sand and say no to everything ... We just don’t know.”

King remains confident and hopeful the issue will be resolved in Butler’s favor.

“I’m hoping we get a resolution through mediation,” he said. “When we last checked, more than 10 schools from other districts compete in the WPIAL and are eligible for playoffs in those sports. Butler (football) played in the District 10 playoffs last year.

“This whole thing is ridiculous.”

Before Friday night, Butler football coach Eric Christy had not heard of the case being moved to Pittsburgh.

“I’m just happy there’s somebody out there fighting for us,” Christy said. “If we qualify for the playoffs, we just want to be able to play. That’s all.”

Butler athletic director Bill Mylan said “I’m not up on all of the legal proceedings that are going on right now. We’ll wait and see what happens.”