Vince Papley holds no grudges.

He just wonders why he won't be playing in the West Penn Football Coaches Association North-South FootballClassic June 9.

Papley and fellow Slippery Rock HighSchool senior Dan Dillman won't be suiting up for the South team because of a motion passed by the association during its second session of the year in November.

According to the policy, a representative from a member school must attend at least five of the nine meetings during the school year. The attendance policy also requires the head coach to attend at least three of those meetings.

"Schools that do not meet (the) attendance policy will not be allowed to nominate senior players for the All-Star Game in June," the policy reads.

Slippery Rock and A-C Valley were the only two of the 23 member schools that did not meet those criteria, according to the meeting minutes posted on the association's Web site.

Despite that, the association mailed nomination forms to Slippery Rock head football coach Clyde Conti, who filled them out and returned them to the WPFCA.

South head coach Joe Anderson, an assistant atWilmington High School, picked both Papley and Dillman for his team, then was told later that they were ineligible because of the policy passed in November.

"I don't put blame on anybody," Papley said. "It was a mix-up on both parties. The association should have never sent those papers, and I understand why coach Conti didn't go to those meetings because we're not in that region anymore."

Slippery Rock moved toClass AAA last season and joined a region with many schools that are not members of the WPFCA.

Papley has had time to come to grips with the fact he won't be playing in the game. But he was very upset when informed initially he couldn't participate, Papley said.

"I was so excited to play in that game, it's not even funny," Papley said. "I was very upset. I was furious. I broke stuff. Dan is pretty upset, too."

Papley, a linebacker and fullback, has committed to play next season at Thiel College. Dillman, an offensive and defensive lineman, committed to Geneva College.

Conti said he was aware of the policy, but when he received the forms, he thought it wouldn't be effective until the following year.

Conti said he has not attended a WPFCA meeting in more than three years. Former assistant coach Glenn Hazlett regularly attended meetings, but he resigned from the coaching staff at the conclusion of last season.

"I've never been one to go to all these meetings," Conti said. "It's just that simple. The association does a great job, but that's just not me."

Conti said he tutors many students in the evening. He also frequents many Slippery Rock sporting events and after-school activities.

"When our kids go on, they still exist in my life," Conti said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to go watch (Papley and Dillman) play in their school colors in college. I would hope that means more to those guys than if I go to a meeting."

WPFCA president Stacy Robinson said the situation is an unfortunate one.

"The West Penn coaches association is definitely sorry about the events that took place," Robinson said. "We're going to take our share of the blame. As the president of the association, I'll take the heat.

"I feel sorry for the kids," Robinson added. "But we have to stand by our policy."

Robinson said the attendance policy was needed to encourage participation from member schools.

Conti said he didn't know whether Slippery Rock would remain a member of the WPFCA.

"Whatever Slippery Rock wants to decide," Conti said. "If we want to be a member of it and part of the job description is to be a part of it, and if they're going to mandate you go, I guess I'll have to make a decision if that's what I want to do or not."