Athletic Transfers
The KSHSAA Student Eligibility Act was recently changed on July 1, bringing eligibility changes in student athletics.
Generally, there are three types of athletic transfers. The first type of transfer is a bona fide transfer. Also known as a Transfer- Eligibility (TE) transfer. This transfer occurs when the student moves cities within the KSHSAA district, or even a move across town. This kind of transfer does not require an athletic suspension, and students are immediately eligible to play their desired sport.
Junior Cal Purvis underwent a situation like this, moving across town, he went from Bishop Caroll to Kapaun Mt. Carmel where he played football this past fall.
"It's been good," Purvis said. "We had a really good football season. I like the coaching here. The coaches [understand] you a lot, they get you out there in the field and get your name known."
The New Rule 18 allows athletes like Purvis who underwent a similar situation to transfer schools, and immediately allowing them to play their sport without the athlete suspension.
The second type of athletic transfer is TEP Transfer (limited eligibility transfer). In this type of transfer, students move schools but not residency, resulting in limited eligibility in athletics. A student who moves but remains rostered in the same sport at the previous school can only participate at the JV or sub-varsity level for a year. But, a student who was not rostered in a sport at the last school can have varsity eligibility at the new school.
The third type of transfer is Undue Influence. Undue influence occurs when a school influences a transfer decision, promising benefits to the student. In cases where schools disagree on the transfer terms, the decision is referred to KSHSAA for a ruling. Recruitment also falls under this kind of transfer.
"Good programs attract kids that want to come to that school," Athletic Director John Heise said. "Good coaches attract kids that want to come to that school. If they do it the right way, itâs perfectly fine. But, if there are things that are not within the KSHSAA handbook, then a student and the coach can be reprimanded."
Desired transfers can be made but KSHSAA rules must be followed. Sophomore Zoey Buckner, is a transfer student who previously attending All Saints, and then completed her freshman year at Wichita Independent. She was able to fulfill her desires of transferring schools to attend a Catholic school.
"I felt as though it would be best for me to go back and attend a Catholic School," Buckner said. "I also wanted to go to a school where there was a bigger population and I wanted to be with the people Iâve grown up with as well as meet new people. Basketball has really helped me as far as the social aspect."
The Rule 18 allows a special transfer case like Buckner, allowing her to continue her Catholic education and play basketball.