The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission has released data on the fall sports transfers in high schools and the numbers are startling.
As first reported by Adriana Doria of WSAZ-TV, 432 students switched schools this first semester to participate in sports—primarily football at this point, but basketball season is only a few weeks away. (Eight-five of the 432 are listed as freshmen, meaning they chose a school different from their attendance area, which was allowed under the old rule.)
Earlier this year, the state legislature passed HB 2820 which allows students in grades 9-12 to transfer one time for any reason to another school without losing a year of eligibility. It replaced the old rule that gave students coming out of middle school the choice of their high school, but it penalized them a year of eligibility if they changed schools during high school.*
According to the SSAC, 142 of the transfers were reported by AAA schools, 129 by AA and 161 by A schools for a total of 432. “That’s a large number,” said SSAC executive director David Price. “Transfers have occurred all through the years—we know that—but not en masse like this.”
This high school transfer portal has caused a series of concerns.
It has created an imbalance in the competition. Football officials reported to the SSAC that there have been 159 games this season where the point differential has been 35 points or greater in the fourth quarter. Additionally, the refs reported 45 games where they have shortened the quarters in the second half because the games were out of hand.
“I think it has created a competitive imbalance,” Price said. Week two of the high school season saw several lopsided scores. Huntington defeated South Charleston 86-0, Hurricane defeated Capital 93-7, Nitro rolled over St. Albans 84 to 6.
Price said the new rule has put coaches in a difficult spot. It is against the rules for them to recruit, but some good players will naturally migrate to better programs. That makes a stronger team, but it sends existing players to the benches or prompts them to transfer.
“Athletes transfer in from other communities, and they take the spots of kids who live there, who have lived in that community for many years,” Price said, adding that it’s fueling complaints from parents whose children have been replaced on the team.
“I’ve talked to a lot of coaches, and I haven’t spoken to one yet that really likes it, even those who have received a lot transfers,” Price said. “It has put them in a bad situation lots of times with their community.”
Price believes the new transfer rule will have an even bigger impact in basketball season. “I’m aware of one school where four juniors and seniors who all played in the state tournament last year (transferred to) another school.”
However, the supporters of the new rule that I have talked with point out the advantages of the rule change. They say it allows students to have all the opportunities available to them so they can better themselves.
The proponents also argue that, fundamentally, it is an issue of parental school choice. When viewed that way, it is going to be a challenge to convince conservatives in the legislature that they should change the rule back to the way it was.
So, I get that, but we are talking about high school here, not professional or college sports. These schools are supposed to be reflective of the communities they serve. The high school version of the transfer portal warps that principle, while bending the level of competition toward the haves and the have nots.
*(Students could always transfer without losing eligibility if their family relocated. In addition, students could apply for a waiver to transfer without penalty under certain circumstances.)
(Editor’s note: MetroNews has a business relationship with SSAC producing high school sports events and championships.)