To the Editor:

Students from Northwest Yeshiva High School have clearly learned a valuable lesson about faith trumping sports ("NW Yeshiva team making state history," Feb. 25), but exactly what lesson has the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association learned?

While the WIAA hopes students will learn positive lessons about teamwork, dedication and commitment through participation in school sports, the association itself seems less than willing to learn about compromise, accommodation and flexibility when it comes to making special arrangements for unusual circumstances. It rejected two simple, alternate proposals made by NYHS that would have allowed them to play.

What a shame the WIAA's fear of setting a precedent superseded its opportunity to encourage student-athletes to fully exercise their athletic skills as well as their religious observances.