Changes To Transfer Rule For High School Sports May Be Coming

An NJSIAA committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss changes to the state’s transfer rule, nj.com reports.

While the report couldn’t say specifically what changes would be made, possible changes include strengthening the rule requiring athletes who transfer without a legitimate change of address to sit out 30 days, allowing athletes the chance to transfer once without penalty, or requiring all athletes who transfer, regardless of reason, to sit out 30 days.

If the special public/non-public committee produces a concrete proposal on Tuesday, it would go before the NJSIAA Executive Committee in March, according to the report. The final stop would be before the general membership in December of 2017, with the earliest possible implementation the following season.

The state has had issues with transfers over the course of the last year, including the controversy surrounding the Wayne Hills High School football team’s status as a playoff team due to the eligibility of three of its players; the disqualification of Barnegat High School baseball player Jason Groome, who was forced to sit 30 days after moving home from Florida; and the ongoing investigation into the eligibility of football players at Timber Creek Regional High School.