Sad situation for this kid. I feel bad for the team and the kid if this situation was not explained to the family. But I could see how it could fall through the cracks with transferring from one school to another.

Students are no longer allowed to participate in varsity football as 8th graders. I'm not sure what year the rule went into effect, but it was several years ago.

Thats right but you can play in freshman and J.V.games as 8th graders.

Is the kid 19 before the start of the season or school year? If so...

But if not, it sounds like a raw deal.

Very confusing, I know Tony Driver was 19 during his senior campaign...

OK, I'll try to explain this one slowly.

 

The purpose of staying back in the eighth grade is not about the eighth grade and the team you are on at the time. The purpose is buying an extra year of high school eligibility for the four years that follow. The idea is that you gain maturity and increase your chances of being a superstar as a senior and perhaps signing a college scholarship.

 

You don't have to speak slowly for me. I know what your saying. Now in most instances I would say that it is done for athletic purposes like you are saying, but I don't beleive that was the case for Rodney. Yes he passed 8th grade at Scott Co. Middle, but not with flying colors to say the least. His parents took him to St. Johns to try and prepare him for high school academics and life after school. And on a side note he now has a 3.2 GPA. So I would say it helped him out a little bit.

Very confusing, I know Tony Driver was 19 during his senior campaign...

He came within days of not being eligible. There are rule in place to prevent a player that is too old from competing. I don't think that applies in this case (I could be wrong). I remember Ballard had a player just a couple of years ago that had a fifth year because he was home schooled for a year. He didn't play five years but had five years to play four. Didn't Boyle have one of the Leffew brothers granted an extra year due to an injury?

This is a sad situation. I really hope the ruling gets overturned. Ive met him. Hes a really good kid and considering the fact that hes done nothing wrong in the last few years and being the athlete he is I really think the rule should be overturned.

This is a sad situation. I really hope the ruling gets overturned. Ive met him. Hes a really good kid and considering the fact that hes done nothing wrong in the last few years and being the athlete he is I really think the rule should be overturned.

 

It will not be overturned as there are no extenuating circumstances.

 

Unfortunate.

You can't have a rule and then overturn it every time there is a sad situation. For the person and team involved, isn't it ALWAYS a sad situation?

 

How good the kid is or how good an athlete he is can't come into play. Try telling the next athlete affected by the rule that he isn't a good kid or good athlete.

 

How do you really know if it is or isn't done for athletic purposes? There is no way to know, so you don't try to figure that out.

Very confusing, I know Tony Driver was 19 during his senior campaign...

 

 

There are two completely separate rules.

 

One rule, Bylaw 4, states that once you complete the eighth grade, you have four years of high school eligibility.

 

If you complete the eighth grade when you are 12, then you have only four years left.

 

The other rule states that if you turn 19 before Aug. 1, you are ineligible, even if you started high school when you are 18.

I agree with an age limit for obvious reasons. the rest of this stuff seems kind of silly. If you are a student in good standing and not over the age limit you should be allowed to play any sport you want. I also believe you should be able to play at any school at which you are enrolled without penalty for transfer, but thats another thread.

Most everyone who is involved in KY HS athletics knows this rule. If you're going to "hold back", you have to do it prior to the 8th grade.

 

North Laurel has a athlete that this rule will affect to in a couple of years. The Middle School principal, and several others tried to tell the parents, but they wouldn't listen. I guess they might listen now. I think this happens more times than you think, but just doesn't get caught. Wonder how the KHSAA found out about Haddix? IMO, someone almost had to turn him in.

 

NL actually has a couple of them now. In both cases, administrators, coaches, and others 'in the know' tried to warn the parents, but their warnings went unheeded.

If he was held back for academic reasons then the real benefit of

that will pay off this year.He will be able to totally focus on the books.

If he was held back for academic reasons then the real benefit of

that will pay off this year.He will be able to totally focus on the books.

 

It may hurt him academically because it may hurt his chances at a college scholarship.

BUt help his chances for an academic scholarship,more money

and better chances for academic monies.

If he was held back for academic reasons then the real benefit of

that will pay off this year.He will be able to totally focus on the books.

I don't like this argument being that I always did better under the pressure from academics AND athletics, and found myself in lethargy when without extra-curricular activities.