The Florida High School Athletic Association has ruled an Orlando-area high school football player ineligible -- for being homeless.

A St. Cloud High School football coach was suspended on September 24, 2010 for allegedly housing a homeless student. To guard against unfair player recruitment, the FHSAA does not allow students to live with school employees. Although he was reinstated the following Monday, the coach faces possible fines from the FHSAA, and the student has been ruled ineligible to play.

Guarding against unfair recruitment makes sense. But a policy that punishes homeless students for not having homes - and punishes coaches for caring about their players - is unfair and wrong. Tell the FHSAA to put the homeless student in St. Cloud back on the team.

Photo Credit: Beth Rankin