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Paid for by EFO Reed Gusciora. All rights reserved. 2010. |
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GUSCIORA WANTS TO CHANGE RULES REGARDING HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY New rules prevent transfers from playing
(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton) is asking the New Jersey School Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to modify a rule which requires students who transfer schools without a change in their home address to sit out for a year. Intended to prevent star athletes from switching schools purely for athletic gain, the policy is having an impact on athletes of all levels. “I understand that the NJSIAA was trying to correct a headache for athletic governance,” said Gusciora. “But this rule is causing student-athletes who need to switch schools for a variety of reasons outside of sports from not being able to play.” Under their old guidelines, the NJSIAA required a 30-day ineligibility period for such transfers. In September 2008, the period was changed to one year. Many students who transferred from private to public schools are now finding they cannot compete at their new institutions. “The vast majority of students leave private schools for financial, academic or social motivations” continued Gusciora. “When transfer students get to their new school, sports are one aspect where they can become quickly acclimated with their peers and teammates. These kids aren’t getting that chance.” In order to address this problem, Gusciora has asked the NJSIAA to convene and make adjustments to this particular rule. He is also seeking a possibility of legislation to address the issue. “While I commend the NJSIAA for taking action to prevent abuses in athletic competition, certain student-athletes are being locked out of playing sports because the regulation is unfairly broad. Students who only play for the love of the game should not be the target of these policies,” concluded Gusciora. # # #
December 22, 2009
Mr. David Suiter, President NJSIAA 1161 Route 130 North PO Box 487 Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Dear Mr. Suiter:
I would appreciate your assistance in modifying a NJSIAA September 2008 rule regarding student-athlete eligibility.
As you are aware, the NJSIAA enacted regulations which made student-athletes who transfer schools without a change in their home address ineligible for one year. It is my understanding the old rule required only a 30-day ineligibility period. The goal of this new policy was to prevent students from transferring to and from school solely because of their ability to compete athletically. For example, certain “blue chip athletes” would transfer from small, public schools to high profile private schools with larger athletic programs. If the student did not succeed athletically, they would simply transfer back to the public school without real consequences.
I certainly agree with the NJSIAA that such abuses often come at the detriment of the student-athlete’s scholastics and create headaches for athletic governance. Unfortunately, there are many students who are getting caught up in this rule for the wrong reasons.
Due to a variety of pressures, including the economic turndown, many parents need to switch their children from private to public schools. Some parents have lost jobs, while other students may simply want to attend public schools. In these cases, student-athletes who play only for a love of their sport are now forced to sit out a year.
In this regard, I would request the NJSIAA convene in order to change this particular rule as soon as possible. It is apparent many student-athletes are being locked out of playing high school sports because the regulation is unfairly broad. Further, I am willing to work with the NJSIAA to address this situation and have already contacted the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) on the possibility of a legislative remedy.
In the meantime, should you have any questions or wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Very truly yours,
WRG |
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