New Transfer Rules - Deadline Approaching

[MNHockeyFan]

The new transfer rules are not a sure thing yet, since the State Legislature has decided to stick its nose into The Controversy. But assuming they do end up going through with the proposed one-year penalty for varsity athletes, the March 31 deadline is quickly approaching. This is the date transferring students must have all their enrollment paperwork completed in order to be treated under the current rules. After March 31, you would expect the number of new transfers to go way down and the last-minute school changes in August and early September will be a thing of the past. So it's at least possible we could see a one-time flurry of activity this month.

Has anyone heard that the proposed change is triggering a "last minute rush" of athletes trying to beat the looming deadline? Any significant transfers out there that have already been completed?

Note: I think that in fairness to the kids involved we should NOT bring up individual names until their transfer is finalized and they have been accepted into their new school! Either the players themselves or their parents should be the first to break the news to others outside their family, IMO. After this is done, and the transfer is official, then it should be OK to share the news here.

[countrygentleman]

So.... that should mean the Eden Prairie dynasty has come to an end?

[ghshockeyfan]

FWIW - I haven't heard of many trasfers to public or private schools as of late. But, that doesn't mean that they aren't happening, and in greater numbers...

Rumors? Well, very few as of now as far as what I've heard...

I agree that naming names isn't good as really all of these are rumors until school starts in the Fall. Reminds me of coaching D3 hockey - you never know exactly who you'll get until day 1 of school... and even then people can change their minds but pay a penalty of sorts...

[MNHockeyFan]

FWIW - I haven't heard of many trasfers to public or private schools as of late. But, that doesn't mean that they aren't happening, and in greater numbers...

Rumors? Well, very few as of now as far as what I've heard...

I guess I would have expected to see more transfer activity for those girls on the fence as the "window of opportunity" comes to a close at the end of the month. Maybe some of this will still develop - the month isn't over yet...

[SEMetro]

High school league approves transfer rule change


By John Millea, Star Tribune

A lengthy process of changing the rules for high school athletes who change schools came to a quiet but emphatic culmination Friday when the Minnesota State High School League's legislative body gave its unanimous approval.

By a 48-0 vote, the MSHSL representative assembly passed an amended bylaw that tightens eligibility regulations. The assembly session lasted only 28 minutes; the amended transfer rule was the only legislative item on the agenda at a Brooklyn Center hotel.

The new rule will take effect for the 2007-08 school year. Students who want to request a transfer for 2007-08 under the old rules must do so by March 30.

"This has been the subject of a lot of discussion and controversy over the past number of years, with some abuses of open enrollment for athletic reasons," said Edina athletic director Steve Dove, who made the motion to approve the change. "I think the goal of the high school league is to monitor a healthy, even playing field for all schools and more importantly, all kids."

Before the vote, public comments were invited from anyone who wanted to voice an opinion. But no dissenters attended the meeting. Likewise, no assembly members spoke when they were given the same opportunity. Approval by two-third of the assembly members was required for it to pass.

Before the vote, MSHSL executive director Dave Stead spoke to the assembly about the amendment.

"It's an issue that's come to us from the schools, it's an issue that's come to us from the community," he said. "It's an issue that's been discussed for the last number of years as kids have transferred from one school to another. And that's the issue that brings us here today.

"You need to decide what you want your vote to be. And you need to decide how you want your school activity programs to operate."

Even though the MSHSL has completed its action, the issue remains alive in the Legislature. On Monday, a House committee will hear testimony on a bill that would override the MSHSL's authority to restrict eligibility for transfer students.

A similar bill in the Senate was defeated in committee earlier this month.


John Millea • jmillea@startribune.com

[nothernewguy]

High school league approves transfer rule change




Before the vote, public comments were invited from anyone who wanted to voice an opinion. But no dissenters attended the meeting. Likewise, no assembly members spoke when they were given the same opportunity. Approval by two-third of the assembly members was required for it to pass.


John Millea • jmillea@startribune.com

No dissenters huh? Should be interesting now to see if the legislature gets involved.

[Silent But Deadly]

I don't expect the legislature to pass anything but I am curious how long it will take for an attorney to contest the restrictions that cover the private schools. I don't have any private school kids...however, since the privates really don't have a "community" to draw from...I don't think it is clear how judges would rule when confronted with a hockey player who chooses to change schools for religious reasons.

[UWhockey88]

I was wondering when someone would bring up the private schools and the situation regarding those schools not having a community. For instance, a certain private school has 1,000 students-only 40 students live in that district.

What are the options? It looks like a number of families will be moving shortly or private schools will have to shut their doors??

[SEMetro]

It looks like a number of families will be moving shortly or private schools will have to shut their doors??

Relax. The rule only comes into play if you transfer into a private or public in 10th, 11th or 12th grade without moving - and if that happens you have to play JV in sports for a year. If you transfer to a private in 10th to 12th and want to play in varsity games, all you need to do is move out of your current school district. It's not really that big of a deal.

[Silent But Deadly]

If you transfer to a private in 10th to 12th and want to play in varsity games, all you need to do is move out of your current school district. It's not really that big of a deal.

If so, moving out of your current school district is asking quite a bit to me.....

[UWhockey88]

Don't tell me to relax SEMetro! And yes-it really is a big deal for some families to move in the 11th or 12th grade.

[SEMetro]

Take a deep breath UW. Who says anyone has to move? - Just don't expect to transfer around for athletic reasons. If you do want to transfer and don't want to move and do want to play girls hockey, lots of options: (1) practice with the varsity and play 25 JV games; (2) play TBs; or (3) play U19s. Again - not a big deal for 2.5 months - life as you know it will continue. The Catholics won't be shutting their doors - in fact I believe most supported the change.

[findme]

[quote="SEMetro"][quote]It looks like a number of families will be moving shortly or private schools will have to shut their doors??[/quote]

Relax. The rule only comes into play if you transfer into a private or public in 10th, 11th or 12th grade without moving - and if that happens you have to play JV in sports for a year. If you transfer to a private in 10th to 12th and want to play in varsity games, all you need to do is move out of your current school district. It's not really that big of a deal.[/quote]

First of all, UW does not need to take a deep breath. It was sarcasm at its finest! However, UW does bring up a great point. Second, you were the one that stated "all you have to do is move out of your current school district." This issue is not only about girls hockey-get a clue man. Many private schools have other athletes than just girls hockey players attending their schools. I am not sure where you got your information that "most supported the change." I know for a fact that they did not support the change.

SEMetro-you wouldn't happend to be a Michigan Tech fan???

[SEMetro]

SEMetro-you wouldn't happend to be a Michigan Tech fan???

I don't know, who is Tech playing?

I am not sure where you got your information that "most supported the change." I know for a fact that they did not support the change.

How about the unanimous support that the rule got from every voting member of the MSHSL - including the privates?

[findme]

UW beat Michigan Tech last night 4-0.

Sounds like your a bit sour at UWhockey88-it's a joke!

[jetjock]

What is the word on the legislature overriding the transfer rule created by MSHL?

My legislative reps said that it, (the MSHL rule), will probably be defeated.


What do the experts, here know, or have heard?

[trilogy]

What is the word on the legislature overriding the transfer rule created by MSHL?

My legislative reps said that it, (the MSHL rule), will probably be defeated.


What do the experts, here know, or have heard?

Well, the Strib says this:

http://www.startribune.com/526/story/1065367.html

Disparities in Student Support and Service committee ----- whaaaat? Sounds like someone has found a way to make the MSHSL rule discriminatory, will be interesting to watch how this ends up.

[keepitreal]

On the news this morning, the report characterized the new MSHSL transfer rule as being unfair to minority students.

Uh oh.

[hockeya1a]

On the news this morning, the report characterized the new MSHSL transfer rule as being unfair to minority students.

Uh oh.

I dont think that is totaly true, in Basketball Look at what Central did with their 5 transfers or whatever number it was.

I say Hogwash!

I still think GHS was right on on saying just keep them out of all playoff games. That would be enough.

The state needs to quit micro managing things!

[xk1]

Try an remember why open enrollment was created. If you are wealthy enough, it is easy to just move to another school district to take advantage of what it offers. Less fortunate people use open enrollment, it's why OE was created. What's not equal about the new rules is those that can afford a change of residence can play while those that can't have to sit out. To be equal, all transfer students regardless of reason, should either sit out or play.

[jetjock]

OK I talked to my local legislator, there is concern on the rule, being discriminatory against minorities and religious preferences. It appears that they believe that they should make the rules, not coaches, ADs, etc.
"Leave it to the lawyers not the athletes, to make law." was the statement. Interesting, is the fact that he said many of those that voted for this rule, called him wanting the legislature to override the rule. Who could this be?

I never really voted for this guy. This should be interesting.

[keepitreal]

I still think GHS was right on on saying just keep them out of all playoff games. That would be enough.

My idea first BTW Still the concept IMHO that keeps programs somewhat accountable and doesn't punish the athlete to a large extent...

Anyway, as xk1 points out, that is precisely the reason OE was created and done so with good intentions. The inner-city advocates and DFL legislators are already lining up against the MSHSL, and given the role of athletics in the lives of city youth and their families this is to be expected. The powers in this battle are completely foreign to girls hockey considerations.

It's a political thing now folks.

[hockeya1a]

I still think GHS was right on on saying just keep them out of all playoff games. That would be enough.

My idea first BTW Still the concept IMHO that keeps programs somewhat accountable and doesn't punish the athlete to a large extent...

Anyway, as xk1 points out, that is precisely the reason OE was created and done so with good intentions. The inner-city advocates and DFL legislators are already lining up against the MSHSL, and given the role of athletics in the lives of city youth and their families this is to be expected. The powers in this battle are completely foreign to girls hockey considerations.

It's a political thing now folks.

Sorry Keepitreal, I did not mean to give someone else the credit my bad!
I really like Keepitreals Idea of making them sit out any postseason play, They could even add in tournament play to that.

[keepitreal]

Sorry Keepitreal, I did not mean to give someone else the credit my bad!
I really like Keepitreals Idea of making them sit out any postseason play, They could even add in tournament play to that.

Just needling GHS

Nice idea about adding in-season tourneys too BTW... I like it.

[hockeya1a]

Sorry Keepitreal, I did not mean to give someone else the credit my bad!
I really like Keepitreals Idea of making them sit out any postseason play, They could even add in tournament play to that.

Just needling GHS

Nice idea about adding in-season tourneys too BTW... I like it.

Maybe we should send the Idea to the politicians and give them something to do.