Life after death of transfer rule

FHSAA and others now wonder what's next in keeping coaches and athletes in check.

By DAVID MURPHY
Published October 26, 2006

SEFFNER - Emotions have run high throughout the nearly year-long fight between the FHSAA and opponents of its proposed transfer rules.

But after the Student Athlete Recruiting Task Force effectively killed the changes Tuesday, ruling they violate state law protecting school choice, even detractors admitted commissioner John Stewart had made a valiant effort to clean up high school sports.

"Really, the bylaw was a well-intentioned reaction to trying to deal with this issue of recruiting," said Tampa Catholic football coach Bob Henriquez, a state representative and member of the task force.

But where to go now?

The irony is that Stewart's plan (athletes would be ineligible for one year after transferring) might be the only sure-fire way to prevent athletes and unscrupulous coaches from taking advantage of Florida's school choice program.

Close to 30 states have similar rules. But most of those don't give students freedom to move between schools like Florida.

Another problem is the FHSAA's organization. Unlike many other states, public schools compete against privates in Florida, meaning all must play by the same rules. The trouble, however, is that private schools must attract students to make money. And when the FHSAA attempts to pass a rule that threatens that ability, an uproar ensues.

Still, a re-organization of the association is unlikely. Instead, the task force, which meets for the last time Nov. 30, likely will attempt to honor Stewart's request that they provide him with the necessary resources to enforce the existing rules. Among the ideas: extra manpower to monitor and investigate transfers, and fining and suspending coaches (something the FHSAA contends would lead to lawsuits).

But the most intriguing aspect of the situation is the precedent it may have set.

Asked whether the task force's decision sends a message that any FHSAA decision can be challenged through legislation, Stewart said simply, "I don't know."

[Last modified October 26, 2006, 05:29:00]