This chapter--new to the "Yearbook"--discusses all court cases reported in 1986 that involved student athletes, coaches, athletic directors, athletic associations, booster organizations, interscholastic sports programs and events, and sports facilities and equipment at both the K-12 and higher education levels. It does not, however, include case law involving physical education or intramural participation. The first section discusses constitutional provisions and statutes upon which these cases are based, including the equal protection and due process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1871. Subsequent sections discuss court decisions on student eligibility for participation in sports, equality of programs, and enforcement of rules. The next major section discusses tort cases brought for intentional wrongs (assault and libel), negligence, and products liability in connection with sports programs. This is followed by a discussion of cases related to employment of athletic personnel: adverse employment decisions, compensation, discrimination on the basis of race or sex, and contracts with equipment distributors. The last section addresses miscellaneous cases arising from discipline of nonparticipants, media coverage, open meetings laws, public records, and workers' compensation claims. (TE)