I have never seen this question directly addressed in this forum , so I am going to ask. This is what the KHSAA has to say on this issue :

 

 

BYLAW 2. AGE

Sec. 1) AGE RESTRICTION

a) Pursuant to KRS 156.070 (2) (e), a student who becomes

nineteen (19) years old before August 1 shall be ineligible for

interscholastic athletic competition.

b) A student who becomes nineteen (19) on or after August 1 shall

remain eligible for the entire school year.

 

There are many issues to explore here in my view. Is allowing 19 year old MEN on the field of competition against 15-17 year old BOYS ethical? Perhaps a better question, is it safe??? Does this rule encourage holding kids back , or repeating grades for athletic purposes? Do we reward kids athletically, for poor performance academically?

 

Thoughts?

So in a spring sport, you can be 4 months away from your 20th birthday and still compete in HS sports? WOW!

So in a spring sport, you can be 4 months away from your 20th birthday and still compete in HS sports? WOW!

The cap used to be 21 per KHSAA. A Male/Manual QB had to sit out the annual Thanksgiving Day battle because his 21st birthday was also that day. Later, the Louisville Public Schools decided to lower the age to 20. The KHSAA rule was still 21. You had 10 semesters or 5 years to compete in high school. Several players would use four years at Male or Manual and then transfer to St. Xavier and play until they turned 21 or completed their fifth year.

 

BTW, yes, they should be able to play!

No.

Kids start school little later than they did 50 years ago, so I think the rule is fine the way it is.

Yes they should be allowed to play.

Yes they should be allowed to play.

 

So why do we limit eligibility to 4 years of high school football? We tell someone 18 they cannot play, but tell someone 19 they can. Seems very inconsistent.

The cap used to be 21 per KHSAA. A Male/Manual QB had to sit out the annual Thanksgiving Day battle because his 21st birthday was also that day. Later, the Louisville Public Schools decided to lower the age to 20. The KHSAA rule was still 21. You had 10 semesters or 5 years to compete in high school. Several players would use four years at Male or Manual and then transfer to St. Xavier and play until they turned 21 or completed their fifth year.

 

BTW, yes, they should be able to play!

 

So, you are saying that a kid could be eligible for a 5th year of HS football? Can someone confirm this?

So, you are saying that a kid could be eligible for a 5th year of HS football? Can someone confirm this?

 

No they can't. You have 8 semesters and 4 years when you enter HS.

 

He was citing old rules

So why do we limit eligibility to 4 years of high school football? We tell someone 18 they cannot play, but tell someone 19 they can. Seems very inconsistent.

 

The 19 year old got the same 4 years to play as the 18 year old. That's consistent.

The 19 year old got the same 4 years to play as the 18 year old. That's consistent.

 

:thumb:

So why do we limit eligibility to 4 years of high school football? We tell someone 18 they cannot play, but tell someone 19 they can. Seems very inconsistent.

 

Where is the inconsistency?

Well as long as it doesn't take you more than 4 years to complete high school.

I'm 19 and a junior in college, I would find it weird if I were still playing high school football.

Interesting question. I generally lean towards them playing at 19 but I get the concern. My son was a week shy of his 15th birthday when he started his first varsity football game. Not going to lie. I did think about an "almost 15 year old" going up against 18 and may 19 year old kids.

 

I still lean, though , to "let them play."