Robison case will be heard in St. Charles Parish

LHSAA appeals denied by judge

The lawsuit filed by the family of former Hahnville High School quarterback Andrew Robison against the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) will be heard in St. Charles Parish, as result of two appeals by the organization being denied.

State appellate Judge Robert Chaisson denied motions by LHSAA representatives, one to have the case dismissed and a second to have the case tried in Baton Rouge. The lawsuit was filed last year in St. Charles Parish, and now the case will be heard there at a date still to be determined. Judge Timothy Marcel will preside.

The lawsuit alleges the LHSAA violated Robison’s constitutional rights last year when it ruled the then-senior ineligible to compete in any Hahnville athletics following his transfer from Vandebilt Catholic to Hahnville.

The ruling came the week of Hahnville’s jamboree exhibition to open the season, and what followed was a long back and forth battle between Robison – and Hahnville – against the prep governing entity.
The quarterback has since signed to continue his football career at Nicholls State. But his senior season was all but lost as result of the ruling, which sidelined him for Hahnville’s first nine regular season games.

Before the Tigers’ 10th game, Robison, whose appeal to the LHSAA was denied, won an arbitration appeal allowing him to return for the remainder of the season. The arbitrator ruled Hahnville, accused of recruiting Robison, committed no wrongdoings and that the Robison family completed a legitimate move from Houma to live in St. Charles Parish.

Robison helped lead Hahnville to two wins, including a road victory over No. 9 seeded Walker in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs, but the Tigers bowed out to eventual state champion Zachary in round two.

He arrived at Hahnville with fanfare, as he had established himself as one of the state’s most prolific passers at Vandebilt Catholic.

But Vandebilt did not renew the contract of Robison’s father, Drew, before the teen’s senior year.

Drew Robison had served as the offensive coordinator of Vandebilt’s football team and also head basketball coach, and the younger Robison would transfer shortly after.