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Craig Damon grew tired of what he heard about Florida high school sports.
In recent years, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Executive Director listened to how people described the state’s lack of regulation with transfers.
“When we go to our national meetings, the other states look at us like we’re the wild west,” Damon said.
Thanks to the FHSAA and the Florida State Legislature, regulations are coming to the state.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 538 into law May 22. It requires non-traditional student athletes to play sports at a high school in the country they reside in.
Tuesday, at its Board of Directors meeting, the FHSAA ironed out and adopted new rules after lengthy discussion.
You can read more about what is in SB 538 here.
Here’s what was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting:
After the bill was signed into law, the question remained of what to do with players who transferred under the old rules.
The association decided those players can remain at those schools they transferred to – as long as they were on a roster for the 2025-26 school year. For example, if a freshman left his county to go to a new school, he or she can now stay there for the remainder of their time in high school.
That drew criticism from some of the 10 board members in attendance in Gainesville, but Damon told The Gainesville Sun he supports it because those players built relationships with coaches.
“Even if you’re in a county or two away, you’ve established a relationship and a connection with those kids and coaches on the team, so why would we want to move you somewhere different?”
Damon said before spring football practice began. Since teams put out rosters for spring ball, those who transferred in beforehand are allowed.
“They went through offseason conditioning, 20 days of spring practice with that school,” Damon said. “They are part of that roster.”
However, those who transferred in May or June will not be allowed to stay, unless they enroll as full students in the new school.
“You’re paying taxes in the country you reside in; you should play in that county,” Damon said. “It’s opportunity over where I might want to play at.”
Board member Adam Cervera expressed some displeasure since school choice, as he said, is a pillar of Florida. However, Damon views the new law and the now adopted bylaws to reign in schools that took advantage.
“You don’t want to take away freedom from parents to make the best educational choices for their kids, but we felt that kids playing in multiple schools needed some controls on them,” Damon said. “When kids change schools multiple times in a year, it has an impact on them from an academic standpoint.”
He referenced a situation told to him by a board member where a player started the school year in Tallahassee, moved to Miami and played in two schools there, came back to a different school in Tallahassee and then transferred to a new school in the summer.
“That’s five schools in one school year. You think about that from not an athletic, but an academic standpoint,” Damon said. “How can you get in any rhythm or figure out what’s required.”
That, Damon said, will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
“We have a tiered system, so it depends where they fall,” Damon said.
For players, a potential penalty is deemed ineligible for the rest of the season. A coach who uses an ineligible player faces the danger of a forfeit and suspension
“Due process is still available for student athletes, so if we rule them ineligible, they could take it to appeals and try to get it reduced or overturned,” Damon said. “For a coach, that’s almost like an impermissible benefit because he knows what kids are supposed to participate.”
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: FHSAA attempts to reign in transfer rules for Florida high school sports
Continue reading...
In recent years, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Executive Director listened to how people described the state’s lack of regulation with transfers.
“When we go to our national meetings, the other states look at us like we’re the wild west,” Damon said.
Thanks to the FHSAA and the Florida State Legislature, regulations are coming to the state.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 538 into law May 22. It requires non-traditional student athletes to play sports at a high school in the country they reside in.
Tuesday, at its Board of Directors meeting, the FHSAA ironed out and adopted new rules after lengthy discussion.
You can read more about what is in SB 538 here.
Here’s what was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting:
The grandfather clause
After the bill was signed into law, the question remained of what to do with players who transferred under the old rules.
The association decided those players can remain at those schools they transferred to – as long as they were on a roster for the 2025-26 school year. For example, if a freshman left his county to go to a new school, he or she can now stay there for the remainder of their time in high school.
That drew criticism from some of the 10 board members in attendance in Gainesville, but Damon told The Gainesville Sun he supports it because those players built relationships with coaches.
“Even if you’re in a county or two away, you’ve established a relationship and a connection with those kids and coaches on the team, so why would we want to move you somewhere different?”
What is the cut-off date for transferring under the old rules?
Damon said before spring football practice began. Since teams put out rosters for spring ball, those who transferred in beforehand are allowed.
“They went through offseason conditioning, 20 days of spring practice with that school,” Damon said. “They are part of that roster.”
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However, those who transferred in May or June will not be allowed to stay, unless they enroll as full students in the new school.
“You’re paying taxes in the country you reside in; you should play in that county,” Damon said. “It’s opportunity over where I might want to play at.”
Board member Adam Cervera expressed some displeasure since school choice, as he said, is a pillar of Florida. However, Damon views the new law and the now adopted bylaws to reign in schools that took advantage.
“You don’t want to take away freedom from parents to make the best educational choices for their kids, but we felt that kids playing in multiple schools needed some controls on them,” Damon said. “When kids change schools multiple times in a year, it has an impact on them from an academic standpoint.”
He referenced a situation told to him by a board member where a player started the school year in Tallahassee, moved to Miami and played in two schools there, came back to a different school in Tallahassee and then transferred to a new school in the summer.
“That’s five schools in one school year. You think about that from not an athletic, but an academic standpoint,” Damon said. “How can you get in any rhythm or figure out what’s required.”
What are the penalties for breaking the rules?
That, Damon said, will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
“We have a tiered system, so it depends where they fall,” Damon said.
For players, a potential penalty is deemed ineligible for the rest of the season. A coach who uses an ineligible player faces the danger of a forfeit and suspension
“Due process is still available for student athletes, so if we rule them ineligible, they could take it to appeals and try to get it reduced or overturned,” Damon said. “For a coach, that’s almost like an impermissible benefit because he knows what kids are supposed to participate.”
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: FHSAA attempts to reign in transfer rules for Florida high school sports
Continue reading...
