HIGH SCHOOL

IHSAA passes 'past link' rule on transfers at meeting

Kyle Neddenriep

Commissioner for the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Bobby Cox, address the audience about the goals of the meeting. Plainfield High School hosted the third in a series of IHSAA town meetings. IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox and State Senator Mike Delph, R-Carmel, are hosting the meetings which will allow Hoosier citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions on the topic of the old, single-class basketball tournament and the current multiple-class format. About 50 fans, school administrators and media attended. / Doug McSchooler/for The Star

A proposal to keep transfer students from following a non-school coach to a school was voted in unanimously at Monday's Indiana High School Athletic Association Board of Directors meeting.

The "past link" proposal was submitted by IHSAA commissioner Bobby Cox on behalf of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. A transfer student who received instruction from a coach, manager or trainer who was a coach, manager or trainer at the receiving school in the 12 months prior to the transfer or 90 days following the transfer is ineligible for competition.

Michigan and Colorado and have implemented similar rules to help curb athletes transferring to schools where their non-school coaches are on the coaching staff.

Among the other highlights at the Board of Directors meeting:

*Voted down were proposals submitted by the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference: a detailed budget, including line item income, accounts payable and employment contracts distributed to member schools; a proposal to allow state tournament games on Sundays; and an item to change the language of transfers with a change of residence.

*Approved amendment on undue influence to permit commissioner to assess a penalty including permanent ineligibility for the student.

All of the proposals passed and rejected by the IHSAA are listed here.