By admin 
ROCK HILL, S.C. (WJZY) — Northwestern’s football roster could soon look very different. State High School League officials eliminated the three-game sit-out rule for transfer students, opening the door for senior athletes to switch schools.
Now, coaches and athletics directors are preparing for the ripple effects of the new policy.
“That day when that was announced, I’m sure there were a lot of seniors around the state of South Carolina that rejoiced. A lot of families, a lot of athletic departments that definitely rejoiced in it that day,” said Northwestern Athletic Director Sarah Hayes.
The governing body for South Carolina high school sports is changing the transfer rule for senior athletes’ first transfer.
Officials released a memo on Thursday saying, “Senior transfer students are immediately eligible if it is their first transfer and if they transfer on or before the Start of Practice Date of the sports season in which the transfer occurs. Senior transfer students must meet all threshold transfer eligibility requirements just like every other transfer student.”
Under the change, they would not miss the first part of their season if they switch schools before practices start.
Rock Hill-Northwestern athletic director Sarah Hayes says the penalty now counts towards the second and subsequent transfers.
“When you make your first decision transferring, you want to make sure you make a good decision because the second time involves missing games and also the postseason. There’s also a penalty if you come in after the first day of practice and then also after the first day of competition,” she explained.
Regulators also changed the policy for students who transfer to new attendance zones due to legitimate family moves—as it won’t count as their one-time transfer.
The memo says, “If a student and his parent(s) transfer with a bona fide change of address (as defined below), then the student is immediately eligible, and the transfer does not count against the student’s free one-time transfer.”
A “bona fide change of residence” is defined as follows:
- The move must be with the intent of being permanent.
- Under no circumstances can a family have two residences for eligibility purposes.
- The head(s) of the family must make the change.
- The entire household and furniture must be moved into the new residence.
- The original residence must be clearly closed as the residence of the family and must not be used by the family.
- When parents are not separated by court action and when they are residing in different places, the residence is generally considered the residence at which the owner-occupied exemptions are given or the residence for taxation of personal property.
- Should the family move out of the attendance area before one calendar year has passed, the student athlete will be declared ineligible on the date of the move.
- When there is doubt, the principal should present all facts to the South Carolina High School League Office. The League Office will decide on each case individually, considering the facts of each case.
AD Hayes says there weren’t many senior transfers before — but with looser restrictions, it could level the playing field.
South Carolina is one of five states that doesn’t allow high school players to profit from their names, images, or likenesses. Hayes believes the new transfer rule could open the door for lawmakers to reconsider the ban.
“It will be interesting within the next few years to see how that affects, you know, the movement of our student athletes, opportunities that they might have,” Hayes said.
Read more Rep. Chuck Edwards ends re-election bid
Students must meet eligibility requirements before they’re granted a transfer.