Barbershop Talk The shiny new IHSAA transfer rules...

[Jim R]

The IHSAA presented its language to Kyle Neddenriep on the new transfer rule. Below is the link to that article, which also talks about other rules proposals in play.

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/04/21/transfers-emerging-sports-process-co-ops-up-for-vote-for-ihsaa-board-indiana-high-school-changes/83188581007/

Here is the language:

Eligibility and transfer​

This is the first-time transfer proposal that was adopted as a temporary regulation in February.

Here is how the proposal is written:

“a. Students who transfer between member schools for the first time during the first six semesters after their initial high school enrollment will have full eligibility, provided:

• The transfer occurs on or before the start of practice date of the sports season in which the transfer occurs and …
• The transfer is not the result of undue influence.

b. Students who transfer during the first six semesters, having had the opportunity to participate in three seasons of eligibility of a sport, will be subject to a 30-day non-competition period or half the maximum number of contests, whichever is less, in each sport in which they participated during or after their third year of eligibility, during the 365 days preceding the transfer.”


After a second transfer, the student would be subject to the IHSAA transfer rules as currently applied — limited, full or ineligible. Students whose second transfer involves a return to the member school where they established initial eligibility will retain full eligibility.

Students who transfer after the start of practice will have to sit out 30 days or half of the maximum number of contests, whichever is less.

Senior transfers will be handled as transfers are currently determined, though an exception has been added to the original proposal. When a student’s parents make a bona fide change of residence to a new district, the student may transfer and attempt to obtain full eligibility at any public, private or charter school which does not serve the student’s area of residence but is located within a 20-mile radius of the new residence of the parent/guardian when the bona fide change of residence involved a move of more than 75 miles, and is the student’s first time enrolling in the school.

We have multiple reports these rules will go in effect on July 1, which is different from the initial thoughts they would be June 1. That changes some things for current freshmen and sophomores. We're getting VERY CONFLICTING REPORTS on this.

EDIT: Talk of July 1 was to align it the new language of the law being passed at the state level. For the record, there really isn't a new law involving transfers. It's just striking down language in an old law supporting the IHSAA's position of no athletically based transfers.

There is a new law requiring cash options to get into school games. Because, you know, technology is 'woke'.


The class of kids in limbo on this will be out going Juniors. The way the rules are laid out, Juniors are locked in to the 'old' rules, which are the current rules. We'll call that the waiver process. Keep in mind a vast majority of players who transfer receive full eligibility. However, by the time the new rules are in effect, they will be considered Seniors in the eyes of the IHSAA, and Seniors shift to the waiver process automatically.

For those unsure, the waiver process starts when an athlete transfers to a new school (the receiving school). The receiving school submits a transfer report that the sending school gets to respond to. The sending school gets to answer if they believe the move was for athletic reasons, then recommends a level of eligibility -- full, limited (JV only) or no eligibility. Things get interesting when it's Limited or No eligibility.
EDIT: The waiver process is being eliminated.

Where it gets easier (though maybe not easy) is for current Sophomores and Freshmen who will be incoming Juniors and Sophomores, as well as EVERYONE else behind them who comes up the ranks from here on out.

These players have until the first day of practice of their Junior year to utilize their one free transfer. After that, the duration of their Junior year they are subject to the 30 day non-compete, until the start of their Senior year (possibly June, possibly the end of their Junior SEASON, possibly the actual start of their Senior year, possible the start of the IHSAA calendar (early July)).

A Senior who transfers reverts back to the 'old' rules, but there is some conflicting reports on that from the ADs meeting. EDIT: They are eliminating the waiver process.

Neddenriep wrote: "Senior transfers will be handled as transfers are currently determined." EDIT: This is mostly not going to be the case. Senior transfers will have the 30 day non-compete, unless there is a bonafide change of address.

Regardless, the new rule is in effect a two SEASON rule. Once you get to the first practice of your Junior season, you have obstacles.

We'll update as the rule's language becomes solidified.

 

[Jim R]

The one thing we weren't fully sure on was when the 30 day non-compete would start. Would it start on day one of practice or day one of the 'authorized contest season'. The latter is yearly the Monday before Thanksgiving. Obviously, if you transfer mid-season, the 30 days start when you enroll at the new school.

 

[Jim R]

Things they need to clarify and not leave up to interpretation:

When does the 30 day non-compete start. No reason to not have that explicit in the language.

What happens to families of juniors and seniors who have a legitimate move within state. Say a parent gets transferred from Indianapolis to Bloomington or Lafayette. Clearly a bonafide change of address.

I'm assuming 19-5 Transfer Options When Transfer With Change of Residence by Parents/Guardians supersedes the new 19-3 rules.

 

[mdot2000]

With the new Indystar article that was put out today. Do you think most two time transfers going into their senior year without change of residence will be limited eligibility or will they serve just the 30 day non compete?

 

[Jim R]

With the new Indystar article that was put out today. Do you think most two time transfers going into their senior year without change of residence will be limited eligibility or will they serve just the 30 day non compete?

Depends on when they actually transfer. If they transfer before June 1, they will on the current rules. If they transfer after, in theory, they would be on both the new rules, which includes the 30 non-compete. My best guess is the IHSAA will hammer in on restricting additional transfers that don't involve a bonafide change of address.

If you want to DM me more details and/or if you're referring to anyone specific, I can dig further