Sport Law - Exam 1 Study Guide with
Actual Answers 2026 Updated.
Common Law - Answer Derived from the legal system of England. Relies on court rulings as
precedent, or stare decisis, for future cases.
State Laws - Answer States have the authority to pass laws in areas not under federal
jurisdiction. State governs contracts and personal injury. State laws vary by state.
Constitutional Claim - Answer If a youth league requires a prayer session before each game,
and that league is organized by a religious group that has no governmental involvement, no
constitutional violation can be alleged. If, however, the youth league is affiliated with the public
school system of a given community, then state action could be found and a court would
consider the merits of the constitutional claim.
First Ammendment - Answer Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
Fourteenth Amendment - Answer A constitutional amendment giving full rights of
citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States, except for American Indians.
Essentially equal protection
Strict Scrutiny - Answer A Supreme Court test to see if a law denies equal protection because
it does not serve a compelling state interest and is not narrowly tailored to achieve that goal.
Basically, is a law constituaitonal?
Intermediate Scrutiny - Answer a test used by the Supreme Court in gender discrimination
cases that places the burden of proof partially on the government and partially on the
challengers to show that the law in question is unconstitutional
Affirmative Action - Answer A policy designed to redress past discrimination against women
and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational
opportunities
Fifth Amendment - Answer A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of
persons accused of crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and
punishment without due process of law.
Fourth Amendment - Answer The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no
, Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Cook v Colgate - Answer Colgate women's club hockey team sued the university because
they claimed they were being discriminated against (Title IX not being followed) because they
did not receive financial support from the University for the hockey team but men did.
Lawsuit was brought by plaintiff's who were all graduating and therefore the case was dismissed
for mootness.
Fourteenth Amendment
Sandison v. Michigan High School Athl. Association - Answer Two athletes who had learning
disabilities sued the MHSAA for not allowing them to participate in athletics. The lawsuit was
based on them being discriminated against due to their disability. However, them being disabled
has nothing to do with them being 19, which is too old for participation. They did not win the
lawsuit.
Fourteenth Amendment
Blair v Washington State University - Answer WSU was not spending equal money on men's
and women's sports. When adding the financial data, the university did not include football
because it brought in revenue. Ruling was that, revenue making or not, all university athletics
are included in the budget.
Ruling: Athletic budget needs to be proportional between men and women's teams.
Fourteenth Amendment
Jager v. Douglas County - Answer Clergy member (Jager) would lead a team prayer prior to a
high school football game. Douglas county sued as a violation of the first and second
amendment rights. Douglas county wins.
If the prayer was student lead and voluntary then it probably would be allowed.
Palmer v. Merluzzi - Answer Palmer was a senior, wide receiver enrolled in a school
coursework known as "Careers in Broadcasting." In 1986, Palmer and other students had been
assigned to the radio station. The next morning, administrators discovered beer stains and a
marijuana pipe at the station. Palmer admitted to the administrator he had done it. He was
suspended for 10 days. His father was notified of the suspension, but the letter made NO
mention of any additional penalties. Palmer claimed that Merluzzi and the Board of Education
Actual Answers 2026 Updated.
Common Law - Answer Derived from the legal system of England. Relies on court rulings as
precedent, or stare decisis, for future cases.
State Laws - Answer States have the authority to pass laws in areas not under federal
jurisdiction. State governs contracts and personal injury. State laws vary by state.
Constitutional Claim - Answer If a youth league requires a prayer session before each game,
and that league is organized by a religious group that has no governmental involvement, no
constitutional violation can be alleged. If, however, the youth league is affiliated with the public
school system of a given community, then state action could be found and a court would
consider the merits of the constitutional claim.
First Ammendment - Answer Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
Fourteenth Amendment - Answer A constitutional amendment giving full rights of
citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States, except for American Indians.
Essentially equal protection
Strict Scrutiny - Answer A Supreme Court test to see if a law denies equal protection because
it does not serve a compelling state interest and is not narrowly tailored to achieve that goal.
Basically, is a law constituaitonal?
Intermediate Scrutiny - Answer a test used by the Supreme Court in gender discrimination
cases that places the burden of proof partially on the government and partially on the
challengers to show that the law in question is unconstitutional
Affirmative Action - Answer A policy designed to redress past discrimination against women
and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational
opportunities
Fifth Amendment - Answer A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of
persons accused of crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and
punishment without due process of law.
Fourth Amendment - Answer The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no
, Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Cook v Colgate - Answer Colgate women's club hockey team sued the university because
they claimed they were being discriminated against (Title IX not being followed) because they
did not receive financial support from the University for the hockey team but men did.
Lawsuit was brought by plaintiff's who were all graduating and therefore the case was dismissed
for mootness.
Fourteenth Amendment
Sandison v. Michigan High School Athl. Association - Answer Two athletes who had learning
disabilities sued the MHSAA for not allowing them to participate in athletics. The lawsuit was
based on them being discriminated against due to their disability. However, them being disabled
has nothing to do with them being 19, which is too old for participation. They did not win the
lawsuit.
Fourteenth Amendment
Blair v Washington State University - Answer WSU was not spending equal money on men's
and women's sports. When adding the financial data, the university did not include football
because it brought in revenue. Ruling was that, revenue making or not, all university athletics
are included in the budget.
Ruling: Athletic budget needs to be proportional between men and women's teams.
Fourteenth Amendment
Jager v. Douglas County - Answer Clergy member (Jager) would lead a team prayer prior to a
high school football game. Douglas county sued as a violation of the first and second
amendment rights. Douglas county wins.
If the prayer was student lead and voluntary then it probably would be allowed.
Palmer v. Merluzzi - Answer Palmer was a senior, wide receiver enrolled in a school
coursework known as "Careers in Broadcasting." In 1986, Palmer and other students had been
assigned to the radio station. The next morning, administrators discovered beer stains and a
marijuana pipe at the station. Palmer admitted to the administrator he had done it. He was
suspended for 10 days. His father was notified of the suspension, but the letter made NO
mention of any additional penalties. Palmer claimed that Merluzzi and the Board of Education
