From the Bench: Legislation Opposed by SSAC, State Coaches May Result in "High School Transfer Portal"
By Jeff Toquinto on March 06, 2022 from Sports Blog via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Transfers in schools in West Virginia. I have seen hundreds of them statewide for decades, and it has been a hot-button topic.
I've witnessed transfers where kids have sat out a year, some where families have moved to have their kids play sports elsewhere, some moving in with a grandparent who was given guardianship, and every other manner in which a rule can be skirted, and eligibility begins immediately.
The number who would have transferred based on feedback I've received for decades if a student would not sit out a year would require a calculator.
Transfers have always been an issue. For the most part, the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) addresses them. Often times, the SSAC ends up in court. All of the time they are painted as the bad guy.
Students I am aware of transferring for better academics the last 40 years? That would be none.
Education may be the reason people choose to move to an area, but I have not been privy to a situation involving someone asking for a transfer solely for academics once – again, that is ZERO. While I am sure it has happened and continues to happen and have been told by education professionals it has happened, not once in a personal or work setting have I had a discussion where parents were adamant about transferring to another school for better academics. Again, I know it takes place, but it never has risen up around me.
That brings me to the reason for this blog. And that would be Senate Bill 586 allowing a one-time transfer with immediate athletic eligibility.
In a session where serious education matters need addressed or even simple education matters, this one accomplishes nothing to address key matters at hand – see teacher shortage yet again – and could open Pandora’s box to a slew of new issues. Even though it is a one-time transfer, the issues will be plenty.
The bill itself is summarized as “Relating to athletic eligibility of transfer students,” which is correct because this comes down to athletics – not academics. The lead sponsor of the bill is quoted (you will see it shortly) as saying most transfers are for academic purposes. MetroNews, in an article HERE, said supporters of the bill say it is “to prevent students who transfer to schools outside of their residential area for academic reasons being forced to sit out a year of athletics.”
To me, this is a common case of good intentions gone awry. Sure, I know there is a body of thought by some saying kids should be allowed to attend whatever school they want as long as they can get there. I know the arguments about recruiting already taking place by coaches, administrators, and family members statewide so what's the big deal. I have heard if a kid believes they can get better coached elsewhere and receive a better chance at a scholarship take it. And I have heard legislation such as this will not create a flood of transfers.
I’ll shortly address why I believe that thinking is flawed. Even though it is summarized correctly as “athletic eligibility of transfer students,” 
the lead sponsor paints it as being about academics. Here is a quote from the sponsor Senator Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, in the article linked above.
the lead sponsor paints it as being about academics. Here is a quote from the sponsor Senator Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, in the article linked above.
“Even if that transfer is made for an academic reason, which by in large most transfers are for that reason, they still have to sit out. If a kid is trying to take advantage of a great math program at a school and happens to play a sport, he’s got to sit out for a full year,” said Weld.
Not slamming Weld here, but I respectfully disagree with the premise on why most transfer. I do not know him. I have never met him, and I assume based on his position he is respected very largely in the area he represents, or he would not be in office. Maybe most transfers in that area are for academic reasons. Still, I find the comment surprising.
Even if the majority of those transferring now are doing so for academics (and I do not believe that for a second) this legislation would flip that immediately. If it is as I believe it has always been, the number will grow substantially.
Go back to my previous comments. I do not know of one person casually or close that has transferred for academic reasons. Talk about lack of AP classes in some schools or not pleased with certain teachers or class available? Yes, that I have heard. Transferring because of it, not aware of it. As noted above, I am sure it has happened, just the ratio of sports to academic transfers is completely lopsided.
Since reading the bill, I contacted about a dozen current and past administrators (principals and athletic directors), coaches, and teachers from Harrison County and several other parts of the state. All of them knew about the bill.
There was another thing they all knew about. They all knew they did not like it.
That said, the group I talked with is not alone. MetroNews' article states the West Virginia Schools Athletic Coaches Association sent a letter to members of the House of Delegates expressing opposition to the bill. The letter states that SB 586 allows “athletics to precede academics” and that it would “increase the likelihood of overzealous adults recruiting kids to play sports at a certain school.”
The WVSSAC also is not a fan. Bernie Dolan said the situation “doesn’t sound like we have a problem that needs to be fixed.” In the 
article, he pointed to having nearly 40,000 student-athletes in the state and from the most recent one-year period they dealt with 115 appeals involving the residence transfer rule, approving 70 of them.
article, he pointed to having nearly 40,000 student-athletes in the state and from the most recent one-year period they dealt with 115 appeals involving the residence transfer rule, approving 70 of them.
The SSAC is usually the group wearing the black hat with transfers. Some of the reason for that (primarily before the current group led by Dolan), seemed to be random and arbitrary transfer decisions leaving a bad taste in many mouths.Perhaps that is not fair as I was not privy to what led to past decisions, was involved in past hearings, and for the cases where I knew participants, I am going on a memory clouded by age.
As for the bill, if passed, the WVSSAC will be tasked with policing it and will again be the bad cop. Those “bad cops,” as one retired coach told me, will police “The country’s first high school transfer portal.” The same coach said those disgruntled parents that can’t be pleased will now have “a free trampoline to jump from one school to another.”
Another added this: “They are looking to create another reason for coaches to leave or not coach to begin with.”
They will leave, as they have beenm slowly for decades. Just like the educators.
The ones impacted are telling the state leaders they do not like it. The state took the first step to approve it overwhelmingly, regardless, as the Senate passed it 31-3 on Feb. 23. As of the morning of March 5, it was still in the House Education Committee.
I know there is a school of thought recruiting is already taking place so if it happens as a result of this possible legislation, nothing changes. I mentioned above that is flawed. Recruiting is illegal, as it should be.
A lot of other things happen that are currently not allowed – like copying homework, smoking or using vape devices, speeding while driving to school – that could be thrown in the mix of already happening. I am pretty sure none of those things are going to made legal.
As for better chances at the elusive Division I or full scholarship offer and the general fantasy of pro athletes, not so much. If you are good enough to get an offer, you will be found – and usually on some traveling or AAU circuit, not your local high school.
What happened to competition? What happened to learning for every decision there is a consequence one has to live with? This skirts all of those important things learned by student-athletes.
Instead of throwing in the towel because "recruiting" is already happening or other scenarios supporters may point to, how about legislation making it more difficult to transfer for athletics to hammer home the lessons that should be learned? How about legislation that would take hard looks at transfers for academic hardship and opportunity and other hardships in the home or in a school that may prompt a legitimate transfer beyond athletics? For that matter, why is education to not the top priority in any equation involving the public school system.
I sure hope I am wrong on this one. I really do because, not being sarcastic, I am certain Senator Weld is a smarter individual than I am on this topic even if I disagree.
I hope if it passes and becomes law that students opt to take advantage of this it is for academic greener pastures. I just do not think I will be wrong on this one.
And the people in the trenches – the coaches and administrators who have to deal with this – are being told by the vote that they do not know what is best for them and those they are asked to lead. Their arguments, at least in the Senate, were not heard.
The fact they are not being listened to is probably the least surprising thing of all.
Editor's Note: Top photo is the WVSSAC Logo, while its Executive Director, Bernie Dolan, is shown below. Middle photo is of Senator Ryan Weld.
