Both rules have recently been changed. Both can occur now. It is up to the individual school on how they handle it but they can practice and play JV.

 

Participation in practice is specifically mentioned. Playing...I find no reference.

 

Case BL-6-7- What are the provisions regarding a

student practicing after transferring or while awaiting

a ruling?

Once a student enrolls at a member school after transferring from

another school after playing varsity following enrollment in

grade nine, they are automatically ineligible for one year from

the date of their last participation. Therefore at the point of

enrollment, the transferring student is ineligible and the school

makes the determination as to the ability to practice.

If a transfer waiver request is then submitted, that student

becomes ineligible to practice upon the receiving school

submission to the KHSAA. That student remains ineligible to

practice until the written ruling is received from the KHSAA.

Once that written ruling is received, favorable or unfavorable,

by the school, the school then makes the determination as to

the ability to practice.

If an unfavorable ruling is received by the school and the student

submits an appeal, the student is ineligible to practice until the

Commissioner’s final order is issued and received by the school

in the matter. Once the final ruling is received, it is again the

school’s discretion as to practice by the student.

How the heck can anyone say a move to Marshall is for athletic reasons? Seriously? It’s not like they’re a powerhouse in ANY sport. Just let the kid play.

That's not what went around but we'll agree to disagree.

I think where that “athletic” comment originated was from a quote in the Lexington H-L. Whether they were accurate with the quote is debatable but the dad was quoted by their writer as having said the move was for athletic reasons.

Speaking from the standpoint as a former AD, the only people whose business it is on what exception they received is: the student-athlete, their family, the sending & receiving schools. If the kid or his parents want to publicize what exception was approved or denied for transfer that is on them, the schools should just be a bystander at that point & this from a school standpoint could be argued under FERPA anyway.

 

And I agree with everyone that has posted that the bylaws that the KHSAA enforces have been created by the member schools & can come up for a proposed change with discussion & vote at the delegate assembly every year.

It's been said by several people here before, but why does anyone care if a kid transfers for athletic reasons? As long as enrollment numbers are under control, any kid should be able to attend any school for whatever reason he/she wants. Nobody cares if Johnny transfers school because the rivals academic team is better.

 

This quote was on Page 1 but I think it needs to be kept in the picture. I think it rings very true.

 

The only thing the KHSAA has consistently done is show inconsistency in how they rule on who should and should not be eligible and with little visibility as to "why" either way to Frakes' point.

 

I heard a sports talk radio show down here talking about a point that I had not really considered, but think there is truth in the statement:

 

The people who routinely get mad about transfers at the Collegiate and High School level are the people who are holding on to the nostalgia that athletics is only about playing for a school or community name. We all wish this was the case, but the truth is athletics has became a financial investment on all levels.

 

Over the years I have changed my stance on the matter as I have learned that the world is no longer as black & white as it used to be. With modern communication, technology, improvement in transportation infrastructure, and the emergence of travel ball/AAU/All-Stars the lines that used to restrict and naturally limit transfers has dramatically changed.

 

What you see now are kids and parents doing what they think will work best for their child to assure success and better improve the chances of either getting a scholarship, getting the scholarship they want, or even potentially best equipping themselves to one day be a professional.

 

Do I miss those old days? Of course. I can get nostalgic thinking of my time as a kid playing All-Stars or AAU and the pride of wearing my community's name on my chest... but it is simply a different world.

 

I read a piece this morning about how "daddy ball" is becoming more rampant and ruining youth sports and even having an effect at the High School level. I think there is a lot of truth in this. I am a firm believer that an imaginary line drawn on a map should not dictate making sure I put my kid in the best position to be treated fairly or have the best chance of success.

 

People have done this for years when it comes to academics. They will move to better school districts or schools that give their kids a competitive advantage for success. It is probably time we realize athletics can give a similar outlet.

 

Where the KHSAA needs to step in is to give clear and defined exemptions and exceptions and where the line is drawn. They need to enforce and investigate that when a kid or family chooses to transfer it is on their own accord and not facilitated or assisted by the school receiving them. They need to ensure amateurism is met and the move is conveyed without unfair advantages.

Technically 5 staff members (at the Commissioner/Associate Commissioner level) at the KHSAA to cover the entire state. The Department of Education which the KHSAA falls under isn't going to give them the extra budget to do what some of you are asking them to do.

 

A few years back Middle School sports were added to their plate as well, but it's not at full implementation at this point, can you imagine how thin that would take them when/if it ever did happen?!

 

 

This state is nearly 8 hours end to end if you go from Hickman in Fulton Co. to Phelps in Pike Co & 3.5 Hours top to bottom and that is a straight shot on I-75, not including if you go out to the southwestern part of the state heading towards Franklin.

 

TOUGH for 5 staff members to cover that kind of ground in any situation.

 

There is no easy answer to this and no easy fix.

I disagree. I think their transfer situation isn’t any different than anyone else’s. It’s just talked about more because of the caliber of player that he is and for whatever reason folks get all high and mighty about it.

 

Let me say up front, I could not care less than I do if Harmon plays or not, so if he is eligible tomorrow, that would be fine with me.

 

The reason I think it is different than others is that now we are on school #3 in year #3...it creates fatigue, and honestly, a little eye-rolling. Certainly it gets more coverage because of his caliber of play, no doubt about it. I think you start to lose "Average Joe Fan" when these things happen every year, even if there are great reasons for them (I have zero idea why he went to Adair from BG, and the same level of knowledge for why he left Adair for Marshall Co.).

Speaking from the standpoint as a former AD, the only people whose business it is on what exception they received is: the student-athlete, their family, the sending & receiving schools. If the kid or his parents want to publicize what exception was approved or denied for transfer that is on them, the schools should just be a bystander at that point & this from a school standpoint could be argued under FERPA anyway.

 

And I agree with everyone that has posted that the bylaws that the KHSAA enforces have been created by the member schools & can come up for a proposed change with discussion & vote at the delegate assembly every year.

 

While I do agree with the bold, if that is the position we all take there is NO WAY to ever know if the KHSAA decisions are consistent.

I've worked on a case involving KHSAA and its arbitrary decision making process which decision was absolutely wrong based on the facts that were presented and of record. The appeal process involves taking the matter to circuit court. The issue is whether the player and his family can afford or are willing to take the issue to the next level. Otherwise the arbitrary decisions of the khsaa are just filed away and don't become public unless published or thrown around on social media. I don't have any independent knowledge of this particular case but the khsaa should revisit its policies and due process procedures in order to have more consistency.

While I do agree with the bold, if that is the position we all take there is NO WAY to ever know if the KHSAA decisions are consistent.

 

You're right. Their decisions aren't consistent. And as someone who has seen the process and been a part of it, I am grateful it isn't consistent. By the letter of the law I was involved with a student that shouldn't have been eligible. But, due to the procedures in place the student athlete I was associated with was granted eligibility. And let me say, there were a lot of uncomfortable conversations in that appeals that dealt with family finances that I would never want shared with anyone.

While I do agree with the bold, if that is the position we all take there is NO WAY to ever know if the KHSAA decisions are consistent.

 

All of these cases revolve around minors. These are not public hearings and they should not be public hearings. What is said and how a decision is reached is not for public consumption. "WE" don't need to know and are not supposed to know.

 

The minors involved are usually not the ones at fault but are always the ones directly affected. If you want to destroy High School athletics let the parents take over.