For the record, I have no dog in this fight. The whole situation sickens me.

 

It is a ridiculous surrender of personal liberty for the KHSAA to have the authority to restrict parents (by way of withholding athletic eligibility) from enrolling their children in any school they should choose, for any reason the parents deem appropriate.

 

I understand there have been horrible abuses in the past, by both conniving and clueless parents out there, that have necessitated a steady tightening of the rules, but we have reached a point of absurdity.

 

In reading all six pages of “KHSAA Bylaw 6 - Transfer Rule”, several notable highlights emerge.

 

The backbone of the bylaw is the assertion that any student in grades nine through twelve that has already participated in any varsity game in any sport at any school who then transfers schools shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at any level in any sport for one year from the date of enrollment in the new school.

 

Pretty clear cut, but on its own would result in some very unfair treatment of kids whose circumstances required them to change schools during their four years of high school.

 

For this reason, there are currently eight exceptions that could justify a waiver of ineligibility. First on the list is “a bona fide change in residence by the parents and student that precedes a student’s change of schools.”

 

No problem here for Euton, Jackson or others who have moved their entire households into a new school district.

 

The hook is there are five “exceptions to the exceptions”, that can nullify one of the eight original exceptions, thereby allowing the Commissioner in his/her full discretion to refuse to grant a waiver. Number three reads:

 

“3) If the change in schools is motivated in whole or part by a desire to participate in athletics at the new school;”

 

This is what is being used to hang Euton and Jackson, and is a “NO WIN” situation for honest/intelligent parents.

 

This is one of the most feebly constructed “Catch 22” rules on the books. IMO it should be referred to as the “Liar or Moron” clause. In cases with clearly talented student athletes whose families need to relocate for a completely legitimate reason, only a liar would deny that athletics are a part of their evaluation process for which neighborhood and school district they ultimately move. Only a complete idiot would neglect to consider how athletics might better equip their child for the opportunity to continue their education in college. For less talented kids… who cares? I mean really, if they can make the team, let ‘em play. This is absolutely absurd as it is written.

 

The saddest part of all is that only a completely honest and thoughtful parent can be nailed down by this rule. (Liars, cheaters and complete idiots have the best chance to sneak past it.) For those of you who want to slam dad Euton, or a 16 year-old kid (Jackson) for stating (what any sensible person already should know is) the truth publicly, (and would at least have thought yourselves—if not actually said out loud—if you were in their shoes) as if by keeping their mouths shut they could have “sneaked a couple past” the KHSAA shame on you. Why have a rule so poorly written that it encourages (and by ineffective application rewards) dishonesty.

 

Is that the kind of integrity we should be teaching our kids? Not in my house, not in my state, not in my country.

 

Stomp out recruiting. Punish the offenders. But where no recruiting has taken place, don’t take away the freedom of parents to choose and do what they feel is absolutely the best for their children.

 

It’s time to rewrite a truly horribly constructed rule.

 

This rule is a blatant assault on our liberties. Our children are not the property of our state, the KHSAA or our school systems. I can’t believe anyone in the United States of America could calmly stand by and watch this freedom be stolen so boldly. It’s time to wake up.

 

You would make a great Defense Attorney but you have got to be kidding with some of this post. Maybe the KHSAA knows what alot of others know concerning the truth about this situation.

It’s time to rewrite a truly horribly constructed rule.

 

This rule is a blatant assault on our liberties. Our children are not the property of our state, the KHSAA or our school systems. I can’t believe anyone in the United States of America could calmly stand by and watch this freedom be stolen so boldly. It’s time to wake up.

Athletic eligibility is not an inaliable right. You, as well as every parent in the state, has the right to take you child to any school that you think is best for your child. You child can attend the best private school, the best public school, small school, large school, city school, county school, any school that you want. But, athletic eligibility is not guaranteed. If attending the best school is the goal, then athletics should not be a big deal. If athletics are that important, then it doesn't matter what school you attend, your child will be very good no matter what school they attend.

Given to hyperbole much? I got a mental picture of William Wallace strung up by ropes ropes yelling "Freedom!". I agree that freedom is in jeopardy in this country, this just seems a very shallow example of the place to attempt to "throw off the yoke of the tyrant and revolt America!" I mean, really, is it that egregious of an example of despotic rule? Try to sell that to someone in China or Cuba.[/b]

The bottom line is the primary reason for the Euton move was job related.

 

Why should a parent not be allowed to also consider what school is best for his/her child? Or be forced to lie and mislead to cover up the considerations any responsible parent should have?

 

Why doesn't someone outline what the Euton family could have/should have done differently in their situation to make this work out to everyone's satisfaction?

The bottom line is the primary reason for the Euton move was job related.

 

Why should a parent not be allowed to also consider what school is best for his/her child? Or be forced to lie and mislead to cover up the considerations any responsible parent should have?

 

Why doesn't someone outline what the Euton family could have/should have done differently in their situation to make this work out to everyone's satisfaction?

 

Wasn't it you who said that making HS athletics a free agent setting would not be good? Having parents able to move to and from schools with athletics being the main focus would not be a positive for HS athletics.\\

 

As Ram pointed out, schools are supposed to be about academics and that is a right. Athletics is a privilege.

Parents now don't have the right to look for jobs in other town? Come on.

 

Rose Hill is located in Ashland. That is where the young man in coming from.

And the chose Scott County!

 

Here's the thing though. Sure the move was legit, but the area chosen and school chosen were without a doubt for athletic purposes.

 

1) Dakotah is a UK recruit. Makes sense to move to Lexington.

 

2) Both Euton and Jackson played AAU with Guyn. Again, makes sense to transfer to SC and play with one of your AAU running buddies who is also a top D1 recruit and try to get a state title.

 

The KHSAA knows the kids transferred for athletic purposes. Honesty or not by Clay and JAckson, the bottom line is THEY BROKE THE RULES with their comments and reasoning so why should they be eligible???

 

And for the last time, WHY ISN"T ANYONE TALKING ABOUT SHOTWELL BEING INELIGIBLE????. Again, just goes to show the khsaa made the right decision and those who think this will be overturned are blind to the facts out there.

I think people are going too far when they say the KHSAA is taking away the rights and freedoms of individuals. I mean look at Derrick Jasper, does he have the right to play at UNLV next year? No! Of course not no one is complaining about that because the rule is you have to sit out a year before you can play. Jackson/Euton will still be able to play their senior year they just had to sit out this year because they moved (atleast partly) to obtain an athletic advantage (by their own admission). The basic premise of the rule is so people can't just all decide to go play with their buddies anywhere they want.

 

I mean Scott County already is a huge county with only one school system that has already been rewarded in the past with numerous transfers not to mention they get all kinds of sponsorship from Toyota. I don't think feel too bad for Scott County.

Wasn't it you who said that making HS athletics a free agent setting would not be good? Having parents able to move to and from schools with athletics being the main focus would not be a positive for HS athletics.\\

 

As Ram pointed out, schools are supposed to be about academics and that is a right. Athletics is a privilege.

I agree 100%.

 

Please explain how the Euton situation is "primarily" motivated by sports?

 

Are you telling me that if you were in dad Euton's situation, lost your job, sought and found a new job two hours from your family you would keep two homes, or commute four hours round trip five days a week, or would you simply move your family to your new community?

 

Having made the choice to move the whole family, are you telling me you would not try to put your child in the best possible situation, including considering athletics as part of the equation?

The bottom line is the primary reason for the Euton move was job related.

 

Why should a parent not be allowed to also consider what school is best for his/her child? Or be forced to lie and mislead to cover up the considerations any responsible parent should have?

 

Why doesn't someone outline what the Euton family could have/should have done differently in their situation to make this work out to everyone's satisfaction?

If you transfer, you will be ineligible, if you want you can appeal that and ask for your eligibility to re-instated, but it is not guaranteed.

 

If you have to transfer then transfer, but your child will be ineligible. Supporting your family is more important then one year of basketball, so if you have to move to another part of the state to support your family, then move, but your child will be ineligible.

 

What should have this family have done? If possible they should have supported themselves without the child having to transfer. If that is not possible, then they should have moved, but their child will be ineligible.

 

If you move, your child will ineligible, Bylaw 6 says it in plain black and white, not misunderstanding. You may appeal the ruling, but the child will be ineligible, it says so.

This is my first post on thie message board. I get on here and read from time to time. I am a Scott County parent that has sat back and watched this situation grow into a monster. I am here to let you know where 75% of the Scott County parents stand on this issue. We are disheartened that our sons have spent countless hours, trips to the emergency room for stitches from diving into bleachers and given up and sacrificed for this program. Our kids went 33-6 in 8th grade, 25-10, and only lost 6 games as freshman. They were coached by an outstanding coach (Lisa and Casey Sparrow)that truly cared for them and teaching them about life and basketball. They can play ball too when given the chance and would start for a lot of teams in the state. They have now been pushed to the end of the bench. There is NO loyalty. Don't get me wrong if they could not play and were not hard workes it would be different but they aren't. I know that middle school ball is not a predictor of high school ability. But I also know that there are a few of these kids that should have been given a chance. I can also tell you that when my son played the "Patriots" in AAU (we were playing for Scott County) There was a comment made that those 3 young men in question would transfer to Scott County for high school ball to become teammates of those they were playing against at the time. This comment was made from one of their parents to another parent at the time. I know this for a fact. This was a planned thought out move. I also know that some Scott County parents are so angry they are ready to turn everything they know in to the KHSAA. One already has. Take this post for what you want.

I agree 100%.

 

Please explain how the Euton situation is "primarily" motivated by sports?

 

Are you telling me that if you were in dad Euton's situation, lost your job, sought and found a new job two hours from your family you would keep two homes, or commute four hours round trip five days a week, or would you simply move your family to your new community?

 

Having made the choice to move the whole family, are you telling me you would not try to put your child in the best possible situation, including considering athletics as part of the equation?

 

When people move into my area, they check out the area school systems, then primarily base their choice on the school that meets their academic goals for their children.........and athletics is often a factor as well. Should all of these students end up ineligible because athletics played a role in their school choice? I suppose that since they are not high profile Div. 1 types that the local papers do not interview the parents to make their thoughts public knowledge though.

This is my first post on thie message board. I get on here and read from time to time. I am a Scott County parent that has sat back and watched this situation grow into a monster. I am here to let you know where 75% of the Scott County parents stand on this issue. We are disheartened that our sons have spent countless hours, trips to the emergency room for stitches from diving into bleachers and given up and sacrificed for this program. Our kids went 33-6 in 8th grade, 25-10, and only lost 6 games as freshman. They were coached by an outstanding coach (Lisa and Casey Sparrow)that truly cared for them and teaching them about life and basketball. They can play ball too when given the chance and would start for a lot of teams in the state. They have now been pushed to the end of the bench. There is NO loyalty. Don't get me wrong if they could not play and were not hard workes it would be different but they aren't. I know that middle school ball is not a predictor of high school ability. But I also know that there are a few of these kids that should have been given a chance. I can also tell you that when my son played the "Patriots" in AAU (we were playing for Scott County) There was a comment made that those 3 young men in question would transfer to Scott County for high school ball to become teammates of those they were playing against at the time. This comment was made from one of their parents to another parent at the time. I know this for a fact. This was a planned thought out move. I also know that some Scott County parents are so angry they are ready to turn everything they know in to the KHSAA. One already has. Take this post for what you want.

 

Me thinks this could turn in to something even bigger if that indeed happens.

 

I have said from day 1 all of this was planned out. It would be a little different if just Euton had transferred but when less than a week later, his running buddy, Jackson, decides to transfer to the same schools, there is no doubt to the fact that it was planned out.

 

I totally agree with your assesssment as a parent. There are several young men who may have to take a back seat to these two who BROKE THE RULES and it isn't right IMO. I don't feel sorry one bit for them having to sit out a year. Sure it's not what's best for these two young men, but if you're going to break the rules, then you get what you deserve.

 

The KHSAA is smarter than some think. After years and years of SC getting high profile transfers, they're finally putting their foot down and letting all across the state know it will not be tolerated.

 

UK recruit or not, who cares. A kid shouldn't be given special priveleges just to make others happy, and Uk being one of them.

This is my first post on thie message board. I get on here and read from time to time. I am a Scott County parent that has sat back and watched this situation grow into a monster. I am here to let you know where 75% of the Scott County parents stand on this issue. We are disheartened that our sons have spent countless hours, trips to the emergency room for stitches from diving into bleachers and given up and sacrificed for this program. Our kids went 33-6 in 8th grade, 25-10, and only lost 6 games as freshman. They were coached by an outstanding coach (Lisa and Casey Sparrow)that truly cared for them and teaching them about life and basketball. They can play ball too when given the chance and would start for a lot of teams in the state. They have now been pushed to the end of the bench. There is NO loyalty. Don't get me wrong if they could not play and were not hard workes it would be different but they aren't. I know that middle school ball is not a predictor of high school ability. But I also know that there are a few of these kids that should have been given a chance. I can also tell you that when my son played the "Patriots" in AAU (we were playing for Scott County) There was a comment made that those 3 young men in question would transfer to Scott County for high school ball to become teammates of those they were playing against at the time. This comment was made from one of their parents to another parent at the time. I know this for a fact. This was a planned thought out move. I also know that some Scott County parents are so angry they are ready to turn everything they know in to the KHSAA. One already has. Take this post for what you want.

 

And that is exactly what many of us have known for a long time. That is precisely why I have tried to stay out of this conversation, but I finally had to post my comments. These transfers have been over a year in the making, not all of a sudden as some would lead us to believe. People like to say things like, "you don't know the facts", but the fact is some of us do know the fact, but error on the side of maturity, and wait and see. Well, looks like the KHSAA has gotten the same fact that we know and made the ruling.

 

I think the KHSAA is taking a stand and saying that they are watching. Many had better head the warning.

I've been told myself by someone that has some ties to Rose Hill that the Eutons' move to Scott County was planned well ahead of time, to the point that the change in jobs turned out to be a convenient reason to give for the move.

 

It's obvious that not everyone believes the move was necessitated by Clay Euton's employment situation.

And that is exactly what many of us have known for a long time. That is precisely why I have tried to stay out of this conversation, but I finally had to post my comments. These transfers have been over a year in the making, not all of a sudden as some would lead us to believe. People like to say things like, "you don't know the facts", but the fact is some of us do know the fact, but error on the side of maturity, and wait and see. Well, looks like the KHSAA has gotten the same fact that we know and made the ruling.

 

I think the KHSAA is taking a stand and saying that they are watching. Many had better head the warning.

 

Couldn't have said it any better myself. Dead on Ram.