3 replies to this topic

[Rocketman]

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The word "transfer" appears 58 times in the Ohio High School Athletic Association bylaw covering eligibility.
The 14-page bylaw itself has 46 exceptions to its own rules, many of them the result of legal action brought to the OHSAA by a transferring student's family.
The OHSAA staff is overwhelmed with transfer issues and appeals. Legal counsel Steve Craig told the Board of Directors last month he has spent more time in court this school year than ever before, and almost all of the cases involved transfers.
Every time one ruling is reached, it seemingly creates two more trap doors, and the OHSAA worries about future rulings that could alter its mission.
"It's a nightmare," one OHSAA staffer said recently.
The OHSAA is about ready to throw up its hands and at least partially open the floodgates.
The OHSAA is considering a bylaw that could have a dramatic impact on student-athletes changing schools: A transfer, regardless of motivation, would need to sit out just half a season in the sports he or she played, instead of the now-required 12 months.
If the rule is adopted, a football player could transfer and be eligible to play Week 6. If that athlete also played basketball at his old school, he could play in the 12th basketball game. If he did not run track at his previous school and decided to pick up that sport, he would be eligible the full season.
Most other transfer requirements would remain in place, as well as the exceptions. So, if a legitimate change of address or custody occurs, eligibility would be immediate.
But for those who don't fit the exceptions and are transferring because they don't like their coach or think they have a better chance to play elsewhere, they could transfer via a move, open enrollment and only miss half the regular season.
The rule change still is in the discussion stage, but definitely is on the radar of the OHSAA's Board of Directors. There is a strong possibility the board will vote next month to put the bylaw on the upcoming May referendum alongside the controversial public-private separation already on the ballot. Member schools would need a simple majority to make the change, and if approved, it would be ready to go this fall.
In some ways, the 12-month wait is too harsh. If it happens after a student's freshman year, it could force him or her to sit out a third or a half of their remaining high school career. Seniors have missed their final seasons. That's a big sacrifice.
But the one-year wait has a purpose. It's a deterrent. It dampens the free-agent atmosphere that ruled the day not so long ago.
More frequently in those days, student-athletes were changing schools numerous times, even switching back and forth between seasons. Football players at one school would be wrestlers at another. Girls basketball was a merry-go-round for elite players whose parents thought they would rule the world. Of course, there were the less-than-scrupulous coaches whose open gyms became open season on other school's players.
That also is a nightmare.
Notable: Here's the exact wording of the private-public separation referendum item OHSAA member schools will vote on in May -- two understated sentences that could turn Ohio high school sports upside down:
"Member school teams and individuals may compete in OHSAA sponsored tournaments only in the tournament to which they have been assigned. Notwithstanding this provision, all member non-public school teams and individuals shall be assigned to a tournament separate and apart from tournaments in which member public school teams and individuals compete."

[rallyinthe9th]

I think the half of season is a pretty good punishment. I do think it should be half of the season for each sport they played at the prior school. I think that is what is said. Otherwise a primary basketball player that plays football would have very little to keep them back.

Another way to look at it from a basketball perspective is that they would just now be eligible to play. Most teams just started or are just starting the 12th game. That is still a very significant punishment. They would then more than likely ease into playing time, but it would be far less punishing than a full year. I have heard of some very shady transfers and I think this ruling would help make that less likely.

I like the fact they could play sports they didn't play at other schools. Sometimes kids just want to try new things and have fun. This wouldn't help anybody that is serious about a sport, but opens up healthy options for kids.

[rallyinthe9th]

I do not think they should be able to do this move midyear though. I remember a few kids transferring right after football and playing basketball at another school. Even if they sit, that is just shady in my opinion.

[Common Sense]

Bad idea. Just going to cause problems.