8th Grade Participation

[TwinCityT]

Eighth Grade Participation

Section 8. An eighth grade student is eligible to participate for a member school if he/she is enrolled at the

school. Students below the eighth grade are not eligible. Any student repeating the eighth grade shall not be

eligible for high school participation during the year that the student is repeating the eighth grade.

 

I copied this from TSSAA web site.

I've always been told that there are "rules" that determine which 8th graders can play on high school teams.

Can anyone shed more light on this subject?

 

Thanks

[chunkybfunky]

Eighth Grade Participation

Section 8. An eighth grade student is eligible to participate for a member school if he/she is enrolled at the

school. Students below the eighth grade are not eligible. Any student repeating the eighth grade shall not be

eligible for high school participation during the year that the student is repeating the eighth grade.

 

I copied this from TSSAA web site.

I've always been told that there are "rules" that determine which 8th graders can play on high school teams.

Can anyone shed more light on this subject?

 

Thanks

It has been my understanding that a student enrolled for example in Ezell-Harding, a school that is K-12, may advance an eighth grader to the varsity. The athlete will not be eligiblle for anymore middle school or jr. high participation once the move is made.

 

The repeating rules are fairly clear...this should only affect those privates and smaller A community schools.

[Vanman011]

Not sure what you are asking but obviously they have to be good enough, the coach has to want them; it has too be within the school guidelines and the parents have a written form to sign granting permission and indicating that the player will be considered part of the high school (team and thus fall under the 12 month participation rules set by the TSSAA).

 

Here are a couple of Q&A off the TSSAA website that might address your issue:

 

Q. An eighth grade student participates as a member of a high school or junior high school team. The next year

the student transfers to another school without any change of residence on the part of his parents. Is the student eligible for athletic participation?

 

A. No. The student is a transfer with an athletic record the previous year. His/Her parents have not changed

residence. (This regulation is sometimes misinterpreted due to the statement that eighth grade participation does

not count against a student. Such participation does not count as one of the four years he/she is allowed to

participate while in high school, but the student is charged with an athletic record the previous year and cannot

therefore transfer to another school unless there has been a corresponding change of residence on the part of

his/her parents.)

17.

Q. A student participates in basketball at school A. He changes to school B without a corresponding change of

residence by the parents and wants to play basketball. Is he eligible?

A. No. A student will be eligible twelve months from his/her last participation date. Example: A student last played

basketball on January 16, 1991 at school A. That student would be eligible at school B on January 17, 1992.

[TwinCityT]

It has been my understanding that a student enrolled for example in Ezell-Harding, a school that is K-12, may advance an eighth grader to the varsity. The athlete will not be eligiblle for anymore middle school or jr. high participation once the move is made.

 

The repeating rules are fairly clear...this should only affect those privates and smaller A community schools.

Yeah, this is kinda what I've been told. Privates and small schools that have one administrator over middle and high school, can have 8th graders play for the high school team. At our school the high school is connected to the middle school, but each has its own principal. This is the reason I've been given that our 8th graders can't play high school ball. Not sure the logic behind this "rule". TSSAA's by-laws do not cover this ....maybe its a school system rule?

[sbl0702]

Previous posts are correct in how it is handled....it is an unfair advantage for several reasons....here is one...

 

1. the athlete that gets to play an extra year has a leg up on individual honors such as Miss or Mr Basketball...1500 points in a career etc....

 

 

sbl

[PHargis]

With a question such as this, I have always been told that the school must have both schools domiciled in the same building no matter the grades. Nothing was mentioned about the administration of the school but its likely true. You are right, maybe it is a school rule and the coach might not be interested. I would suggest that someone wishing to do this should call the TSSAA and get a ruling on the matter of eligibility. I would keep the ruling out of Private or Public schools and deal with the ruling on same building or not. The other option is to check with the principal of the school and get their advice on what you want to do.

[screenandroll]

In terms I understand a student that attends the same school (has the same principal) is eligible to play as an eight grader. The school can be k-12, 7-12, 8-12, etc. Even if the schools are together but have their own principal they are considered to be two different schools. This is what I've been told is the way TSSAA interputs the rule.

[muffin]

Both schools have to be under 1 roof.

[icecold06]

the number of principals in the building is irrelevant to this matter. As long as the school has 8th grade in the SAME building as the high school then 8th graders are eligible to play. its that simple.

[Vanman011]

the number of principals in the building is irrelevant to this matter. As long as the school has 8th grade in the SAME building as the high school then 8th graders are eligible to play. its that simple.

 

Two buildings are considered to be as one by the TSSAA if they have a permanent "building-like" connector between them.

[outsiderhtown]

Both schools have to be under 1 roof.

Thus the reason Laken Leonard got to play for the High School team her 8th grade year at RBS....

The schools are connected ,split though K-6 7-12. Giving them the option to play any 8th grader after the Jr High/ Middle School season is over. Giving the opportunity to play or atleast dress out for the High School team.

 

 

Note: A 8th grade may play for the High School team before or during the Jr. High season, but in turn losing h Jr. High eligibility.

[muffin]

Two buildings are considered to be as one by the TSSAA if they have a permanent "building-like" connector between them.

Under 1 roof,sidewalks does not count as long as they are not covered.

Edited February 11, 2011 by muffin