Eligibility Situation

[puckdreams]

- A player participates in MSHSL varsity hockey at a public High School as a 10th Grader.

-This player enrolls in a program such as Bauer Emerson and participates in Tier 1 Hockey as an 11th Grader.

What options does this player have if they want to return to MSHSL Varsity Hockey as a 12th Grader?

Is the player able to open enroll in any MSHSL School they wish, or are they subject to the eligibility-relocation rules to be eligible for varsity play?
(In other words, does playing at BE for a season count as the 1 year of sitting-out before varsity play after a transfer without a relocation?)

Can they return to their original HS and play varsity?

Other?

[sinbin]

Another can of worms opened?

[MN_Bowhunter]

I'm sure this can was already opened by somebody leaving SSM. Financial hardship or change of address or no eligibility, would be my assumption.

[wolfman]

Nobody ever really has the answer to these ?s. At the end of the day the elite players can move from team to team and will keep finding a way to do so. I would say after a year at B-E you would become a free agent and go to any school you want (including back to original high school). If the rules say different just claim financial hardship. Im just grateful that the pups in the den dont want to wander off.

[SECoach]

The key question is where the student went to school. The question they must answer when they enroll in a sport is did you attend a school other than this one during the past 12 months or something similar to that.

If they go to school at Bauer-Emerson or a school affiliated with that program in 11th grade, and then transfer for 12th grade to another school, regardless of whether it's their original school or a new one, they would be subject to transfer restrictions.

If Bauer-Emerson is not a school (I'm not sure) and they just played hockey for them while attending their traditional school, they could return to playing athletics for their school without penalty.

[Ritz727272]

- A player participates in MSHSL varsity hockey at a public High School as a 10th Grader.

-This player enrolls in a program such as Bauer Emerson and participates in Tier 1 Hockey as an 11th Grader.

What options does this player have if they want to return to MSHSL Varsity Hockey as a 12th Grader?

Is the player able to open enroll in any MSHSL School they wish, or are they subject to the eligibility-relocation rules to be eligible for varsity play?
(In other words, does playing at BE for a season count as the 1 year of sitting-out before varsity play after a transfer without a relocation?)

Can they return to their original HS and play varsity?

Other?

If B-E is a non-MSHSL school, then none of the transfer policies would apply. It appears they are using Odessyware for their platform. Many schools use it for students who take online classes during the school day if they do not offer a particular class.

[Froggy Richards]

- A player participates in MSHSL varsity hockey at a public High School as a 10th Grader.

-This player enrolls in a program such as Bauer Emerson and participates in Tier 1 Hockey as an 11th Grader.

What options does this player have if they want to return to MSHSL Varsity Hockey as a 12th Grader?

Is the player able to open enroll in any MSHSL School they wish, or are they subject to the eligibility-relocation rules to be eligible for varsity play?
(In other words, does playing at BE for a season count as the 1 year of sitting-out before varsity play after a transfer without a relocation?)

Can they return to their original HS and play varsity?

Other?

If B-E is a non-MSHSL school, then none of the transfer policies would apply. It appears they are using Odessyware for their platform. Many schools use it for students who take online classes during the school day if they do not offer a particular class.

LOL, and where exactly did you see that in the transfer rules?

It doesn't matter if they are a MSHSL school or not. The rule clearly states ANY SCHOOL. The entire transfer rules were posted recently over on the High School forum. I'm too lazy to go find it but it's there for anyone who wants to read it. Probably under the Bauer Emerson thread, I don't remember for sure.

[Froggy Richards]

- A player participates in MSHSL varsity hockey at a public High School as a 10th Grader.

-This player enrolls in a program such as Bauer Emerson and participates in Tier 1 Hockey as an 11th Grader.

What options does this player have if they want to return to MSHSL Varsity Hockey as a 12th Grader?

Is the player able to open enroll in any MSHSL School they wish, or are they subject to the eligibility-relocation rules to be eligible for varsity play?
(In other words, does playing at BE for a season count as the 1 year of sitting-out before varsity play after a transfer without a relocation?)

Can they return to their original HS and play varsity?

Other?

If B-E is a non-MSHSL school, then none of the transfer policies would apply. It appears they are using Odessyware for their platform. Many schools use it for students who take online classes during the school day if they do not offer a particular class.

LOL, and where exactly did you see that in the transfer rules?

It doesn't matter if they are a MSHSL school or not. The rule clearly states ANY SCHOOL. The entire transfer rules were posted recently over on the High School forum. I'm too lazy to go find it but it's there for anyone who wants to read it. Probably under the Bauer Emerson thread, I don't remember for sure.

Okay, so I guess I'm not too lazy.


BlueLight you are correct-

Being a member or not of MSHSL has nothing to do with the Transfer Rule. It is clearly stated in the MSHSL Handbook the family must move from one public school attendance area to another:

"B. A transfer student is eligible for varsity competition if:
(i) 9th Grade Option: The student is enrolling in 9th grade for the first time.
(ii) Family Residence Change: The student transfers from one public school district attendance area to another public
school district attendance area at any time during the calendar year in which there is a change of residence and
occupancy in Minnesota by the student’s parents. If the student’s parents move from one public school district
attendance area to another public school district attendance area, the student will be eligible in the new public school
attendance area or a non-public school if the student transfers at the same time the student’s parents establish a new
family residence. (Please see Definitions for further explanation.)
OR
If the parents move from one public school district attendance area to another public school district attendance area,
the student shall continue to be fully eligible if the student continues enrollment in the prior school for the balance of
the current marking period or for the balance of the academic school year. If the student elects either of the current
enrollment options above, the student will be fully eligible upon transfer to the new school in the public school district
attendance area where the student’s parents reside or a non-public school.
A student who elects not to transfer upon a parent’s change in residence shall continue to be eligible at the school in
which the student is currently enrolled."

There are some exemptions: Court order Residency Change for Child Protection; Divorced Parents, Proven Financial Hardship.


It is based completely on area of public school residency. You must move out of one area into another in order to be eligible no matter if you went to a public or non-public school (SSM is a non-public school).

C. If none of the provisions in Section (B) (above) are met, the student is ineligible for varsity competition for a
period of one (1) calendar year beginning with the first day of attendance at the new school.
(i) Students are immediately eligible for competition at the non-varsity level.

#17 in Bold also defines this in more detail

BOARD POLICY DEFINITIONS FOR BYLAW 111
1. Change of Change of Change of Residence. Residence. A Residence. change of residence is the actual physical relocation by the parents or guardians of a
student with the intent to reside indefinitely at a new residence in Minnesota and terminate all occupancy of a
previous residence. The change in residence must be bona fide, include other minor siblings and involve a transfer
from one public school district attendance area to another public school district attendance area.
2. For purposes of eligibility determinations, the residence of a student shall be the bona fide location of the residence
and must include occupancy by the students’ parents or guardians in the public school attendance area. Both
parents, except as otherwise provided herein, must physically reside at the residence on a regular basis for the
duration of the student’s enrollment.
3. If a student is married, the student’s residence is determined by the bona fide residence where the student and the
student’s spouse actually reside.
4. In determining whether a change in residence is bona fide, a member school and the League may consider, but
will not be limited to:
A. New mailing address of the parents or guardians
B. Voting registration of parents or guardians that coincides with the new residence
C. Driver’s license registration that coincides with the new residence
D. Purchase or rental agreements
E. Any other reliable evidence of residency
5. A marriage separation cannot be used for the purpose of establishing a new residence. A marriage separation cannot be used for the purpose of establishing a new residence.
6. Emancipated Student Emancipated Student. Emancipated Student An emancipated student is one who:
A. Has been a resident of the state of Minnesota for at least one full calendar year immediately preceding the date
in question, and
B. Is totally self-supporting. Criteria to determine if a student is self-supporting may include, but is not limited to:
1) A notarized statement from the parent(s) or guardian(s) that they provide none of the student’s support;
2) Verification of employment or other means of financial support from the student’s employer or supporting
agency;
3) Verification of rent payment by the student;
4) Verification from a school that the student is accepted to attend as a resident student on the grounds of
being emancipated;
5) Any other documentation requested by the Minnesota State High School League or member school.
7. If emancipated, a student’s residence is determined by the bona fide residence where the student actually resides.
Only MSHSL staff can determine emancipation status.MSHSL Emancipated Student status is reserved to those
situations that are outside of the student’s control that result in the student being on his or her own.
8. Good Standing. Good Standing. For Good Standing. purposes of this bylaw, the term “good standing” shall mean that on the official date of
withdrawal from the last school attended the student was fully eligible at that school under all of the conditions and
all of the eligibility requirements of that school as well as the eligibility requirements of the state activity association
of which that school is a member.
9. Guardianship. Guardianship. For Guardianship. purposes of this bylaw, guardianship or Power of Attorney shall not be accepted for the purpose
of establishing the residence of a student except when the guardianship has been established pursuant to a child
protection order placement in a foster home or a juvenile court disposition order.
10. High School. High School. A high High School. school shall include grades 9 through 12.
11. Parents. Parents. For Parents. purposes of this bylaw, parents shall mean both parents of the student. In the event of divorce, parent
shall be the parent with legal and physical custody of the student. In the case of a child protection order, parent
shall mean the facility assigned by a court pursuant to a child protection order, foster home placement or juvenile
court disposition order.
12. Power of Attorney. Power of Attorney. For Power of Attorney. purposes of this bylaw, guardianship shall not be accepted for the purpose of establishing
the residence of a student except when the guardianship has been established pursuant to a child protection order
placement in a foster home or a juvenile court disposition order.2013-2014 Minnesota State High School League Official Handbook www.MSHSL.org 25
100.00 Bylaws: General Eligibility
Continued from Page 24
13. Public Public School District Attendance Area. School District Attendance Area. The School District Attendance Area. term “public school district attendance area” shall be understood to
refer to the area assigned to a specific high school by a Board of Education and shall not refer to a school district
except in cases in which only one high school exists in a school district.
14. Receiving School. Receiving School. The high Receiving School. school now attended by the student is the “Receiving School.”
15. Residence. Residence. For Residence. purposes of eligibility, a student may only have one residence. To determine residence for
eligibility purposes, the public school district attendance area in which the home last occupied by both parents is
located shall be considered as the family’s residence.
16. Sending School. Sending School. The high Sending School. school last attended by the student is the “Sending School.”
17. Transfer Student. A Transfer Student. transfer student is one who discontinues enrollment and attendance in any high school, public
or non-public, located in a public school district attendance area and enrolls and attends classes in any high school in
Minnesota, or outside of MN. Essentially, a transfer occurs anytime the school of record changes.

[alcloseshaver]

Thanks Froggy for spelling it out once again, until next month when it comes up again.

[Ritz727272]

If B-E is a non-MSHSL school, then none of the transfer policies would apply. It appears they are using Odessyware for their platform. Many schools use it for students who take online classes during the school day if they do not offer a particular class.

LOL, and where exactly did you see that in the transfer rules?

It doesn't matter if they are a MSHSL school or not. The rule clearly states ANY SCHOOL. The entire transfer rules were posted recently over on the High School forum. I'm too lazy to go find it but it's there for anyone who wants to read it. Probably under the Bauer Emerson thread, I don't remember for sure.

Okay, so I guess I'm not too lazy.


BlueLight you are correct-

Being a member or not of MSHSL has nothing to do with the Transfer Rule. It is clearly stated in the MSHSL Handbook the family must move from one public school attendance area to another:

"B. A transfer student is eligible for varsity competition if:
(i) 9th Grade Option: The student is enrolling in 9th grade for the first time.
(ii) Family Residence Change: The student transfers from one public school district attendance area to another public
school district attendance area at any time during the calendar year in which there is a change of residence and
occupancy in Minnesota by the student’s parents. If the student’s parents move from one public school district
attendance area to another public school district attendance area, the student will be eligible in the new public school
attendance area or a non-public school if the student transfers at the same time the student’s parents establish a new
family residence. (Please see Definitions for further explanation.)
OR
If the parents move from one public school district attendance area to another public school district attendance area,
the student shall continue to be fully eligible if the student continues enrollment in the prior school for the balance of
the current marking period or for the balance of the academic school year. If the student elects either of the current
enrollment options above, the student will be fully eligible upon transfer to the new school in the public school district
attendance area where the student’s parents reside or a non-public school.
A student who elects not to transfer upon a parent’s change in residence shall continue to be eligible at the school in
which the student is currently enrolled."

There are some exemptions: Court order Residency Change for Child Protection; Divorced Parents, Proven Financial Hardship.


It is based completely on area of public school residency. You must move out of one area into another in order to be eligible no matter if you went to a public or non-public school (SSM is a non-public school).

C. If none of the provisions in Section (B) (above) are met, the student is ineligible for varsity competition for a
period of one (1) calendar year beginning with the first day of attendance at the new school.
(i) Students are immediately eligible for competition at the non-varsity level.

#17 in Bold also defines this in more detail

BOARD POLICY DEFINITIONS FOR BYLAW 111
1. Change of Change of Change of Residence. Residence. A Residence. change of residence is the actual physical relocation by the parents or guardians of a
student with the intent to reside indefinitely at a new residence in Minnesota and terminate all occupancy of a
previous residence. The change in residence must be bona fide, include other minor siblings and involve a transfer
from one public school district attendance area to another public school district attendance area.
2. For purposes of eligibility determinations, the residence of a student shall be the bona fide location of the residence
and must include occupancy by the students’ parents or guardians in the public school attendance area. Both
parents, except as otherwise provided herein, must physically reside at the residence on a regular basis for the
duration of the student’s enrollment.
3. If a student is married, the student’s residence is determined by the bona fide residence where the student and the
student’s spouse actually reside.
4. In determining whether a change in residence is bona fide, a member school and the League may consider, but
will not be limited to:
A. New mailing address of the parents or guardians
B. Voting registration of parents or guardians that coincides with the new residence
C. Driver’s license registration that coincides with the new residence
D. Purchase or rental agreements
E. Any other reliable evidence of residency
5. A marriage separation cannot be used for the purpose of establishing a new residence. A marriage separation cannot be used for the purpose of establishing a new residence.
6. Emancipated Student Emancipated Student. Emancipated Student An emancipated student is one who:
A. Has been a resident of the state of Minnesota for at least one full calendar year immediately preceding the date
in question, and
B. Is totally self-supporting. Criteria to determine if a student is self-supporting may include, but is not limited to:
1) A notarized statement from the parent(s) or guardian(s) that they provide none of the student’s support;
2) Verification of employment or other means of financial support from the student’s employer or supporting
agency;
3) Verification of rent payment by the student;
4) Verification from a school that the student is accepted to attend as a resident student on the grounds of
being emancipated;
5) Any other documentation requested by the Minnesota State High School League or member school.
7. If emancipated, a student’s residence is determined by the bona fide residence where the student actually resides.
Only MSHSL staff can determine emancipation status.MSHSL Emancipated Student status is reserved to those
situations that are outside of the student’s control that result in the student being on his or her own.
8. Good Standing. Good Standing. For Good Standing. purposes of this bylaw, the term “good standing” shall mean that on the official date of
withdrawal from the last school attended the student was fully eligible at that school under all of the conditions and
all of the eligibility requirements of that school as well as the eligibility requirements of the state activity association
of which that school is a member.
9. Guardianship. Guardianship. For Guardianship. purposes of this bylaw, guardianship or Power of Attorney shall not be accepted for the purpose
of establishing the residence of a student except when the guardianship has been established pursuant to a child
protection order placement in a foster home or a juvenile court disposition order.
10. High School. High School. A high High School. school shall include grades 9 through 12.
11. Parents. Parents. For Parents. purposes of this bylaw, parents shall mean both parents of the student. In the event of divorce, parent
shall be the parent with legal and physical custody of the student. In the case of a child protection order, parent
shall mean the facility assigned by a court pursuant to a child protection order, foster home placement or juvenile
court disposition order.
12. Power of Attorney. Power of Attorney. For Power of Attorney. purposes of this bylaw, guardianship shall not be accepted for the purpose of establishing
the residence of a student except when the guardianship has been established pursuant to a child protection order
placement in a foster home or a juvenile court disposition order.2013-2014 Minnesota State High School League Official Handbook www.MSHSL.org 25
100.00 Bylaws: General Eligibility
Continued from Page 24
13. Public Public School District Attendance Area. School District Attendance Area. The School District Attendance Area. term “public school district attendance area” shall be understood to
refer to the area assigned to a specific high school by a Board of Education and shall not refer to a school district
except in cases in which only one high school exists in a school district.
14. Receiving School. Receiving School. The high Receiving School. school now attended by the student is the “Receiving School.”
15. Residence. Residence. For Residence. purposes of eligibility, a student may only have one residence. To determine residence for
eligibility purposes, the public school district attendance area in which the home last occupied by both parents is
located shall be considered as the family’s residence.
16. Sending School. Sending School. The high Sending School. school last attended by the student is the “Sending School.”
17. Transfer Student. A Transfer Student. transfer student is one who discontinues enrollment and attendance in any high school, public
or non-public, located in a public school district attendance area and enrolls and attends classes in any high school in
Minnesota, or outside of MN. Essentially, a transfer occurs anytime the school of record changes.

If there is no parent move, and the player established residency and eligibility as a 9th grader in the district, they would regain immediate eligibility if they chose to go back after a year at B-E. I they would go to another school without a relocation, they would have to sit out.