Rob Gronkowski, a star high school football player with a lofty national reputation, has been ruled ineligible to play this season by the local governing body for high school athletics.

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Gronkowski, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior who is a high-profile recruit and has numerous college scholarship offers, was benched by the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) today because the league claimed Gronkowski transferred from a school near Buffalo, N.Y., to Woodland Hills a week-and-a-half ago for athletic reasons.

Under Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) rules, which the WPIAL follows, a student-athlete can be ruled ineligible if he transfers schools for athletic reasons. Gronkowski, ranked the No. 2 tight end in the country by one scouting service, left Williamsville North (N.Y.) and enrolled at Woodland Hills Aug. 11. He can appeal the WPIAL's decision to the PIAA and have a hearing in front of that organization Thursday.

The WPIAL Board of Control made its decision after a hearing with Gronkowski today.

"The board felt there was substantial athletic purpose which influenced the transfer," WPIAL Executive Director Tim O'Malley said. "For that reason, we decided to deny his eligibility."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.