BYLAWS...Tournament Assignment – Team Sports of Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball...

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BYLAWSRevised by Referendum — May 2020

BYLAW 1 — COVERAGE AND ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLSSection 1. Application of Bylaws and Sports Regulations

1-1-1 Thebylawsandsportsregulationsapplytoallparticipantsininterscholasticathleticcontestsinvolvingstudentsingradesseventhroughtwelveandincludemattersofeligibility,contracts,qualifications,responsibilityandbehaviorofvariouspersonnel.

1-1-2 Studentsenrolledbelowtheseventhgradeareineligibleforparticipationininterscholasticathletics.Studentsenrolledingrades7or8areineligibleforinterscholasticcompetitiononthesamesquadwithstudentsingrade9orhigher.

EXCEPTION:Astudentwhoattainstheageof15priortoAugust1iseligibleforinterscholasticathleticsonlyatthehighschoollevelnottoexceedeightsemesters.

1-1-3 Ninthgradestudentsinallschoolsarehighschoolstudentsandshallcompeteinathleticsinaccordancewithhighschoolbylawsandregulations.

1-1-4 Four-yearhighschoolsmayelecttohaveallstudentsingrades9-12eligibletoparticipateinvarsity,juniorvarsity,re-serveandclassteams.

1-1-5 Ninthgradestudentsarenotpermittedtocompeteininterscholasticcompetitiononthesameteamorsquadwithstudentsbelowninthgrade.

1-1-6 Thesebylawscannotbewaived,modifiedoramendedbymutualconsentbetweenoramongcontestingschools.Like-wise,thesebylawscannotbewaived,modifiedoramendedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeexceptinaccordancewithConstitution8-1-1asauthorizedbytheBoardofDirectors.Section 2. Sponsorship

1-2-1 Allpractices,games,previewsandotherinterscholasticathleticcontestsshallbeunderthedirectsponsorshipandsuper-visionoftheschoolsinvolvedandshallbethefinancialresponsibilityofsuchschools.PleaseseeBylaw3-2-1,School’sResponsibilityWhenHostingaContestandBylaw8-2,SelectionofOfficialsforadditionalinformationrelativetothisobligation.

1-2-2 ThisbylawappliestoallsportsrecognizedbytheOHSAA.Section 3. Penalties

1-3-1 PenaltiesforviolationsoftheConstitution,BylawsandSportsRegulationsshallbeassessedinaccordancewithBylaw11unlessaspecificpenaltyisprovidedintheConstitution,BylawsandSportsRegulations.Insuchcasesthespecificpenaltyshallapply.Section 4. Interscholastic Competition

1-4-1 Interscholasticathleticcontest,asusedthroughouttheBylawsandSportsRegulationsof theOHSAAisdefinedasasportseventinwhichstudent-athletesfromatleastoneschoolareengagedinsports-relatedactivitieswithstudentsfromatleastoneormoreschoolsornon-interscholasticprograms.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,scheduledcontests,prac-ticesbetweentwoormoreschools,sportsday,electroniccontests,invitationalcontests,alumnigamesandinterschoolscrimmages.

1-4-2 Instructionalclinicsanddemonstrationsdesignedfortheteachingoffundamentalskillsandconductedforlearningthe-ory,techniques,rules,gameprocedureandstrategyshallnotbecountedasascheduledcontest.

1-4-3 InterscholasticcompetitionshallbeconductedusingcontestrulesadoptedbytheBoardofDirectors.ModificationsorchangesinsportrulesarenotpermittedexceptthoseprovidedintherulebookandapprovedbytheBoardofDirectors.Section 5. Recognized Sports

1-5-1 ArecognizedsportisoneadoptedbytheBoardofDirectorsandforwhichtheOHSAAsponsorsatournament.(Note:baseball,basketball,bowling,crosscountry,girlsfieldhockey,football,golf,girlsgymnastics,icehockey,lacrosse,soc-cer,girlssoftball,swimminganddiving,tennis,trackandfield,girlsvolleyball,wrestlingarerecognizedsportsthisyear.)

1-5-2 Ifandwhenaschoolorschooldistrictsponsorsorauthorizesavarsity,subvarsity,7thor8thgradesquad/teamthatcom-peteswithotherinterscholasticsquadsinarecognizedsport,theschoolorschooldistrictshallberesponsibleforassuringthatanyandallsuchsquads/teamscomplywithallOHSAABylawsandSportsRegulations,particularlythoserelatedtoscholarship,agelimitationsandcontestlimitations.Forpurposesofthisbylaw,a“sponsored”teamorsquadshallincludeany“club”sportorteam/squad.Section 6. Team Membership

1-6-1 Girlsmayplayonaboysteam.Afemaletomale(FTM)transgenderstudentmayparticipateonboysteamsaslongasheiscompliantwiththeOHSAAtransgenderpolicies.PleaseseetheOHSAApoliciesontheTransgenderStudenthereathttp://www.ohsaa.org/Portals/0/Eligibility/OtherEligibilityDocs/TransgenderPolicy.pdf

1-6-2 Agirlortransgendermale(FTM)whoiscompliantwiththeOHSAAtransgenderpoliciesandwhoisamemberofaboys

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teamshallfollowallcontestsrulesandregulationsregardingthesportasspecifiedfortheboys.1-6-3 Boysmaynotplayongirls’teamsunlesstheoverallopportunities,asreferencedinthe1979USDepartmentofEduca-

tion’sTitleIXPolicyInterpretationinaccordancewithPart1ofthethreeparttest,forinterscholasticcompetitionforboysarelessthanforgirlsandthecompetingschoolsmutuallyagree.Amaletofemale(MTF)transgenderstudentmayparticipateongirls’teamsaslongassheiscompliantwiththeOHSAAtransgenderpolicies.PleaseseetheOHSAApol-icieson theTransgenderStudenthereathttps://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Eligibility/OtherEligibiltyDocs/TransgenderPolicy.pdf

1-6-4 Interscholasticteams/squadssponsoredbyamemberschoolmaynotconsistofstudentsfrommorethanoneschoolun-lessotherwisemandatedwithintheOhioRevisedCodeorinaccordancewiththeexceptionbelow:

EXCEPTION:Memberschoolscontaininggrades7and8maycombinestudentsfromtwoormoreschoolswithintheschooldistrict/systemtoformoneormoreinterscholasticteaminasport.Requestsforpermissiontocombinestudentsfromtwoormoreschoolsinthesamepublicdistrictornon-publicsystemmustbesubmittedannuallypriortothestartofeachsportsseasontotheOHSAAinwritingbythesuperintendentofthepublicdistrictornon-publicsystem.

Thewrittenrequestmustcontainthefollowing: 1—Namesofschoolsinvolved. 2—Totalnumberofstudentsfromeachschoolinvolvedinthesport. 3—Totalnumberofboysorgirlsineachgradeofeachschoolinthecombination. 4—Rationaleforrequestingthecombinationtoformmorethanoneteam/squadineachsport. 5—Thenameoftheprincipal,nameofthecombinedschool(whichmustbethenameofoneofthememberschools

representedwithinthecombination)forpurposesofregistrationintotheMyOHSAAsystem,andthecompletead-dress(includingemail)oftheoneadministratorresponsiblefortheconductandoperationofeachcombinedteamorteams.

Forpurposesoftournamentassignment,eligibilityandplacement,theBoardofDirectorsandtheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeoftheOHSAAshalladoptandpublishfromtimetotime,suchrulesasdeemednecessaryandproperforthetimely,accurateandtransparentimplementationofthisbylawsoastogiveeffectandmeaningtothissection.Section 7. Team Competition Between Sexes

1-7-1 Teamsof theoppositesexshallnotcompeteagainsteachother inanyinterscholasticathleticcontests.However, theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaywaivetheprohibitionofthisbylawonacase-by-casebasisprovidedtheadministratorsoftheproposedcompetingschoolsfollowtheproceduresforobtainingsuchawaiverasprescribedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.

BYLAW 2 — DIVISIONS AND TOURNAMENT ASSIGNMENTSNote:AsaresultoftheMay2014referendum,Bylaw2relatingtoclassificationandorganizationwassignificantlyamended,effectivebeginningwiththe2017-18schoolyear.PleasevisittheOHSAAwebsite(OHSAA.org)forfurtherdetailsonthecompetitivebalanceplan,whichshouldhelpadministratorsunderstandhowtoproceed.Whilethebylawhadaneffectivedateof2017-18,‘rosterdata’collectionbeganin2016andisongoing.PleasecontinuetochecktheOHSAAwebsiteforupdatesandguidance,includingthebusinessrulesforcompetitivebalance.

Section 1 — Divisions and Tournament Assignments2-1-1 SchoolteamsorindividualsthatwishtocompeteinOHSAA-sponsoredtournamentsmaycompeteinonlythosetour-

namentstowhichassigned.Furthermore,byenteringintoanOHSAAsponsoredtournament,schools,onbehalfoftheirteamsandindividuals,agreetocompeteatthesites,datesandtimesassignedtothembytheOHSAA.

Note: In teamsports, schoolsarepermitted toenteronlyone teaminOHSAA-sponsored tournaments. In individualsports,schoolsareonlypermittedtoenterthemaximumnumberofindividualsinOHSAA-sponsoredtournamentsasprescribedintherespectivesports’playingrulesand/ortournamentregulations.

2-1-2 EnrollmentinformationusedforassigningschoolstodivisionsshallbeprovidedbytheStateDepartmentofEducation’sen-rollmentreport.Allboysandgirlsingrades9,10and11includedintheschool’sOctoberenrollmentreportshallbecountedforenrollmentpurposesexceptforstudentswhoareidentifiedaschildrenwithdisabilitieswithintheOHSAABusinessRulesforObtainingEnrollmentData.

TheBoardofDirectorsisauthorizedtoadoptpolicyforassigningstudents,whoarenotspecifiedasassignedtoaparticularhighschool,totheappropriatememberhighschoolandtopublishthepolicyontheAssociation’swebsite.

Note:Thepolicy,BusinessRulesforObtainingEnrollmentData,wasfirstpreparedinApril2007,hassincebeenmodi-fied,andispostedontheOHSAAwebsite(OHSAA.org).

2-1-3 Highschools inschooldistricts thatconsolidatewillbeplaced intodivisionsbasedonschoolenrollmentofboysorgirlsingrades10,11and12asofSeptember10oftheeffectiveyearofconsolidationinaccordancewiththebusinessrules,plusthereal-timeAdjustedEnrollmentCount(outlinedinBylaw2-2-1)inallapplicablesports.IntheeventoftheopeningofanewhighschoolortransferofterritoryunderSection3311.38oftheOhioRevisedCode,memberschooldivisionassignmentswillbebaseduponactualnumberofboysorgirlsenrolledingrades10,11and12asofSeptember

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10ofthecurrentyearinaccordancewiththebusinessrules,plusthereal-timeAdjustedEnrollmentCount(outlinedinBylaw2-2-1)inallapplicablesports.

2-1-4 Inthecaseoftheopening,mergingorclosingofahighschoolorschoolsinamulti-highschooldistrictornon-publicschoolsystem,orinthecaseofanon-membercomprehensivehighschoolornon-traditionalhighschoolbecomingamember,thememberhighschooldivisionassignmentsforallhighschoolswithinthedistrict/systemshallbebasedupontheactualnumberofboysandgirlsenrolledingrades10,11and12asofSeptember10ofthecurrentyearinaccordancewiththebusinessrules,plusthereal-timeAdjustedEnrollmentCount(outlinedinBylaw2-2-1)inallapplicablesports.Section 2. Tournament Assignment – Team Sports of Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball and Softball

2-2-1 Teamsinthesportsoffootball,soccer,volleyball,basketball,baseballandsoftballshallbeassignedtoadivisionbaseduponthatschoolteam’sAdjustedEnrollmentCount.Forpurposesofthissection,AdjustedEnrollmentCountisthecountasdeterminedbyaddingtheInitialEnrollmentCount(EMISreportednumberofboysorgirls)andtheAdditionalRosterCountforthegivensport(InitialEnrollmentCount+AdditionalRosterCount=AdjustedEnrollmentCount).

2-2-2 TheAdditionalRosterCountisdeterminedbymultiplyingdesignatedstudentsonthegivensport’sInitialRosterbythespecificfactororTierandaddingthemtogether.- Inthesportsofsoccer,volleyball,basketball,baseballandsoftball–thedesignatedstudentsshallincludestudents

onateam’stournamentrosterandanyoneelsewhoplayedinavarsitycontestduringtheregularseason.- InthesportofFootball–thedesignatedstudentsshallincludestudentsingrades10-12onanyrosterandanyfresh-

manwhoplayedinavarsitycontestduringtheregularseason. EXCEPTION:Astudentwhoparticipatesinasinglevarsitycontestduringaregularseasonisnotrequiredtobeincluded

intheAdditionalRosterCountsubmissionprovidedthefollowingcriteriaaremet:

1 — Theparticipationhappensonetimeduringtheregularseason;and

2 — Thestudentisamanager/studentassistantorhasanintellectualorphysicaldisability;and

3— Thestudentwouldnotlikelyotherwiseparticipateinameaningfulwayorhaveanimpactontheoutcomeofacontest;and

4— Itisrequiredthattheopposingcoachand/orofficialsaremadeawareofthestudent’sparticipationbeforethestudententersthecontest.

However,forastudenttohaveaparticipationopportunityunderthisexception,he/shestillneedstobeeligibleregardingallaspectsofBylaw4,StudentEligibility.Theintentofthisexceptionistospecificallyrewardand/orrecognizeastudentmanagerorastudentwithanintellectualorphysicaldisabilityforhis/herspecialcontributionstoateamwithoutpotentiallyimpactingateam’sdivisionalplacement.

Note:TheannualsubmissionoftheAdditionalRosterCountforeachrespectivesportshallbeutilizedtohelpdeterminethedivisiontowhichthatteamshallbeassignedthefollowingschoolyear.

2-2-3 Factorsshallbeassignedthreelevelsofpoints:Tier0,Tier1andaTier2.ThepurposeoftheFactorsistodeterminefromwherethestudent-athletescome,fromwhatsystemofeducationtheycomeoriftheyarenon-enrolledstudentsinaccordancewithstatelaw,andtomakeappropriateadjustmentsaccordingly.

Note:SeetheexceptionunderBylaw2-2-2forstudentswhoarenotrequiredtobetiered.2-2-4 Forpublicmemberschools,Factorsshallbeassignedasfollows: —Tier0–thestudentandatleastoneparentcurrentlyresidewithintheschooldistrict/designated/assignedattendance

zone(unlessthestudentisparticipatingasanon-enrolledstudentatthememberhighschoolinaccordancewithstatelaw).

—Tier1–thestudentandatleastoneparentcurrentlyresideoutsidetheschooldistrictand/ordesignated/assignedatten-dancezonebutthestudenthasbeencontinuouslyenrolledinthedistrictsincethebeginningof7thgrade(orthestudentisparticipatingasanon-enrolledandstudentatthememberhighschoolinaccordancewithstatelaw,orthestudentisparticipatingonaJ1Visa.).

—Tier2–thestudentandatleastoneparentcurrentlyresideoutsidetheschooldistrictand/ordesignated/assignedatten-dancezoneandthestudenthasnotbeencontinuouslyenrolledinthedistrictsince7thgrade.

2-2-5 Fornon-publicmemberschools,Factorsshallbeassignedasfollows: —Tier0–thestudentattendedthesamesystemofeducationcontinuouslysincethebeginningofthe7thgradeandat-

tendedoneofthedesignated/assignedfeederschoolscontinuouslysincethebeginningof7thgrade. —Tier1–thestudentattendedthesamesystemofeducationcontinuouslysincethebeginningof7thgradebutdidnot

attendoneofthedesignated/assignedfeederschoolscontinuouslysincethebeginningof7thgradeorthestudentisparticipatingonaJ1Visa.

—Tier2–thestudentdidnotattendthesamesystemofeducationcontinuouslysincethebeginningof7thgrade. EXCEPTION:Ifanon-publicschoolsystemassignsallstudentstoaspecifichighschoolbasedonthegeographicloca-

tionofthestudent’sparents.Factorsshallbeassignedasfollows:

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—Tier0–thestudentattendedthesamesystemofeducationcontinuouslysincethebeginningofthe7thgradeandthestudentandatleastoneparentcurrentlyresideswithintheassignedattendancezone.

—Tier1–thestudentattendedthesamesystemofeducationcontinuouslysincethebeginningof7thgradebutthestu-dentandatleastoneparentcurrentlyresidesoutsidetheassignedattendancezone.

— Tier2–thestudentdidnotattendthesamesystemofeducationcontinuouslysincethebeginningof7thgrade.2-2-6 TheTier2,orSportSpecificFactors,shallbeasfollows: —Three(3)inthesportoffootball. —Seven(7)inthesportsofsoccer,volleyball,basketball,baseballandsoftball.2-2-7 TheBoardofDirectorsandtheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeoftheOHSAAshalladoptandpublishfromtimetotimesuch

rulesasdeemednecessaryandproperforthetimely,accurateandtransparent(verifiable)reportingoftherosterdatainordertogiveeffectandmeaningtothissection.

Note:SchoolsthatdonotsponsorarespectiveteamtheimmediatelyprecedingseasonshallbeassignedtoadivisioninaccordancewiththeCompetitiveBalancebusinessrulesthathavebeenadoptedbytheBoardofDirectors.http://www.ohsaa.org/School-Resources/Competitive-Balance-Resource-Center.

BYLAW 3 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY AND INSTITUTIONAL CONTROLSection 1. Primary Responsibility

3-1-1 Theprincipaloftheschoolshallbeheldprimarilyresponsibleinallmatterspertainingtointerscholasticathleticsinvolv-ingtheschool.Theprincipalhastheresponsibilitytoeducatethememberschool’sstudents,coaches,schoolpersonnel,boostersandotherappropriatepersonsinvolvedininterscholasticathleticsregardingOHSAAbylawsandsportregula-tionsthatcouldaffectthem.Further,theprincipalshallmonitortheschool’scompliancewithOHSAAbylawsandsportsregulationsandconductanappropriateinquiryifinformationarisesconcerningapossibleviolationofOHSAAbylawsand/orsportsregulations.

3-1-2 Allschooladministrativeandathleticpersonnelhaveadutytoimmediatelyreportviolationsthatmayaffectthestatusofanathlete,teamorcontest.

3-1-3 Theprincipal,athisorherdiscretion,mayassignothermembersoftheadministrativeteamtosigncontractsandanyotherpaperworkrequiringanofficialschoolsignature.

3-1-4 Nolaterthantwoweeksafterthebeginningofeachsportsseason,theprincipal,throughhis/herathleticadministrator,coachesandsuchotherpersonnelasdeemedadvisablebysaidprincipal,shallconductamandatory,preseasonprogramwithallstudent-athleteswhowishtoparticipateintheupcomingsportsseasons,theirparentsandboosterclubofficer(s).Themeetingshallconsistof(a)areviewofthestudent-eligibilitybulletinandkeyessentialeligibilityrequirements;(b)areviewoftheschool’sAthleticCodeofConduct;(c)asportsmanship,ethicsandintegritycomponent,and(d)areviewofissuesconcerningconcussionsandsteroids.

Note: SeeGeneralSportsRegulation5forpenaltiesfornon-complianceofthisbylaw.Section 2. School’s Responsibility When Hosting A Contest

3-2-1 Thehostschoolhastheresponsibilitytoensurethatacontestoreventisadministeredinamannerwhichemphasizestheeducationalvaluesinherentininterscholasticathletics.Itisthehostschool’sresponsibilitytoremoveanyindividual(s)whodisruptstheeducationalgoalsofthecontestorevent.

Likewise,thehostschoolisultimatelyresponsibleforthesafetyofallparticipants(players,coaches,officials,spectators,etc.)intheinterscholasticcontestimmediatelybefore,duringandimmediatelyaftereachcontestorevent.Therefore,thehostschoolshallappointasitedirector/manageroradministrator-in-chargeforeverycontestorevent.Thehostschoolshallensurethatthesitedirector/manageroradministrator-in-chargeisawareoftheschool’semergencyactionplanandhowtoadjustittomeettheneedsoftheparticularcontestorevent.

Includedintheemergencyactionplanshallbeprocedurestodealwithemergencies,crowdmanagementandhealthandsafetyprotections.Theplanshallalsoincludeprocedurestoensurethatunauthorizedpersonnelarekeptfromtheplayingfield;toprovidesafetyandsecurityforthevisitingteam(s),theirspectatorsandthecontestofficials,andtoprovidesafetyandsecurityforparkingareasrelatedtothecontestorevent.

PenaltiesforviolationofthisbylawshallbeimposedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeasspecifiedinBylaw11.Section 3. School Representative Must Accompany Team

3-3-1 Theprincipalorrepresentative(s)authorizedbytheprincipal,inadditiontothecoaches,shallbepresentthroughoutallvarsityfootball,andboysandgirlsvarsitybasketballgames,homeandaway.Itishighlyrecommendedthataschooladministratorbepresentforallinterscholasticcontests,homeandaway,especiallyinthesportsofboys’andgirls’soccerandicehockey.Inallothersports,thehostschoolshallappointasitedirector/manager,whocouldbeacoach,oradmin-istrator-in-charge,foreverycontestorevent.

3-3-2 Whenamalecoachisassignedtoagirls’team,anadultfemale(non-highschoolstudent)shouldbepresentatthecontest.Whenafemalecoachisassignedtoaboys’team,anadultmale(nonhighschoolstudent)shouldbepresentatthecontest.

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Section4.CourtesytoOfficialsandVisitingSchools3-4-1 Recognizedlawenforcementofficialsshouldbegivenspecificinstructionbytheschooladministratorastodutiesbefore,

duringandafterthecontest.Thiswillincludekeepingspectatorsfromthefieldorfloorduringthecontest,supervisionofparkingandsafeconductofcontestofficialsandvisitingteamfromthecontestarea.Failuretoprotectthecontest,theteamsortheofficialsconstitutesaviolationofthebylaws.Section 5. Student Participation and Physical Examination Forms

3-5-1 Athleticparticipationformsforparticipantsinanyofthegrades7-12shallbesignedbyamedicalexaminer(Physician[M.D.,D.O.,orD.C.],AdvancedNursePractitionerorPhysician’sAssistant),theparticipantandbyaparentorguardian.Theseformsmustbeonfilewiththeprincipalordesigneebeforeanycandidateforateammayparticipateinapractice.Theseformsshallrequirethemedicalexaminertocertifytheindividual’sphysicalfitnessnolessthanonceevery13months.

EXCEPTION:IfthepreparticipationathleticevaluationisconductedbetweenMay1andJune1,thepreparticipationevaluation,signedbythemedicalexaminer,isvalidforonecalendaryearplustheremainderofthenextschoolyear.

3-5-2 Ifastudentathletetransferstoanotherschool,thephysicalexaminationformsshallbetransferredtothenewschool.3-5-3 Section3313.73oftheOhioRevisedCodereadsinpartasfollows:“Thissectiondoesnotrequireanyschoolchildto

receiveamedicalexamination(preparticipationphysicalevaluation)orreceivemedicaltreatmentwhoseparentorguard-ianobjectsthereto.”Aformcertifyingthisobjectionshallbesignedbytheparentorguardianandattachedtotherequiredparentalconsentforms.However,nothinginSection3313.73oftheORCwouldprecludeaschoolfromadoptingaBoardofEducationpolicythatwoulddenyparticipationininterscholasticathleticsforanystudentwhoseparentorguardianrefusedtopermitapreparticipationphysicalevaluation.Section6.EligibilityCertificates

3-6-1 Atthebeginningofeachsportseasoneachschool’sadministrationshallprepareaneligibilitycertificatelistingonlythosestudentseligibleunderOHSAArulestorepresenttheschoolineachsport.Thiseligibilitycertificateandtheinformationcontainedthereinshallbeverifiedandsignedbytheprincipalofthememberschool.Saideligibilitycertificatesshallbepreparedseparatelyforeachsportinwhichthatschoolparticipatesandavailableforinspectionuponrequest.

3-6-2 Corrections,additionsanddeletionsmaybemadeasthesportseasonprogressesandfiledintheappropriateschooloffice.Section 7. Duties Regarding Appeals

3-7-1 Allschooladministrativeandathleticpersonnel,includinginterscholasticcoaches,andstudent-athletesthemselves,havearesponsibilitytocooperatefullywiththeExecutiveDirector,theExecutiveDirector’sstaffandmembersoftheBoardofDirectorsinallmatterswhicharethesubjectofanyinvestigation,hearingorappeal.Inaddition,anyretaliationorthreatenedretaliationagainstanindividualorindividuals,eitherinsideoroutsideoftheschool’semploymentorcommu-nity,whoprovideinformationinconnectionwithanyinvestigationshallberegardedasamajorviolationofthisbylawprovision,subjecttoBylaw11sanctionsincluding,butnotlimitedto,membershipsuspension.

3-7-2 WhenrequestedbyamemberoftheBoardofDirectors,ortheExecutiveDirector,theprincipalshallattendanyandallhearingsorappealsconductedonbehalfoftheOHSAA.

BYLAW 4 — STUDENT ELIGIBILITY TheeligibilityrulesinthisBylaw4areanintegralpartofthememberschoolsoftheOHSAAandtheExecutiveDirec-

tor’sOfficeinordertocreate,administerandmaintainthevaluableanduniqueformofcompetitioninterscholasticathlet-icshastooffer.Thisuniqueformofcompetitionisacarefullyconstructedsystemthatpromotescompetitivebalanceandservesthemissionandpurposeofeducation-basedsportsandactivities.Interscholasticsportsandactivitiesareintendedtofosterasenseofcommunityaswellastoteachteamwork,citizenshipanddiscipline.Othersportingorganizations(andotherformsofcompetition)existtopromotefreeplayermovementandareprimarilydesignedtopromoteathleticdevelopmentoftheindividualandprovideashowcasefortheathletictalentsofthoseindividuals.TheseorganizationsdonotsharetheprimarypurposesofthememberschoolsofthisAssociationortheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeandthere-forecannotprovidetheuniquetypeofcompetitioncreatedandmaintainedbytheOHSAAthroughitsmemberschools.Effortsrandomlytoimposeadjustmentsorfavoritismontheseeligibilityrulesdamageandunderminetheverypurposesforsponsorshipofinterscholasticcompetitions,thememberschoolsandtheirAssociationand,inturn,damageallthestudentswhoeitherparticipateinanAssociationsport/activityorwhosupportthem.ThememberschoolsoftheOHSAAandtheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeestablishedbythesememberschoolsandchargedwiththeultimateauthoritytoen-forcetheseeligibilityrulesarecommittedtomaintainthisuniqueformofcompetition.Section 1. Eligibility

4-1-1 Eachstudentshallmeetallrequirementsinthisbylawtobeeligibletoparticipateininterscholasticathleticcompeti-tion.NotwithstandinganyprovisionofthisBylaw4tothecontrary,ifastudenthasmetallofthesubstantiveeligibilityrequirementsofthisBylaw4butisdeclaredineligibleduesolelytoanadministrativeerroronthepartoftheschool/schoolpersonnel,theExecutiveDirector’sofficemay,initsabsoluteandsolediscretion,restoreeligibilitytothatstudent(prospectivelyandretroactively),provideditcanbeshownthatthestudent’sactionsorfailuretoactdidnotcontributeinanywaytotheadministrativeerrorthatcausedthedeclarationofineligibilityinthefirstplace.Notwithstandingtherestorationofeligibility,theschoolmaybesubjecttoadditionalpenaltiesasprescribedinBylaw11.

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Note: TheauthoritytocorrectadministrativeerrorsislimitedtocorrectingstudenteligibilityissuesascodifedwithinBylaw4–StudentEligibility.Studentswhohavenotmetthehighschoolormiddleschoolscholarshiprequirementarenot“substantivelyeligible”;andastudentwhofailstoregisterforenoughcredithours,failsaclass(es)ordropsaclassthatlowersthestudentbelowtherequisitenumberofcredits,alwayshasasharedresponsibilityforthisshortcomingthusdisqualifyingsuchshortcomingfromthe“duesolelytoanadministrativeerror”category.Therefore,thisBylawshallneverbeusedinconjunctionwithBylaws4-4-1or4-4-5.4-1-2 Ifastudentparticipatesinanathleticcontestandhisorhereligibilityhasbeenestablishedbyfalsifiedinformation(includes

butisnotlimitedto:name,address,transcripts,birthcertificate,etc.),orifanattemptismadetoestablisheligibilityforastudentbyfalsifiedinformation,thestudentshallbeineligibleinOhioforamaximumofoneyearfromthedatethepenaltyis imposed.

4-1-3 Astudentisamemberofaninterscholasticsquadwhenthestudentparticipatesinaninterscholasticcontest.Suchstatusasasquadmembercontinuesuntilthestartofthenextschoolseasoninthatsport.Anathleticcontestinvolvingpartici-pantsfromanotherschooloranynon-interscholasticoranyorganizedadultteamisagame,previeworascrimmage.Section 2. Age Limitation

4-2-1 Onceastudentattainstheageof20,thestudentwillnolongerbeeligibleforinterscholasticathleticcompetitionnotwith-standingwherethat20thbirthdayfallsinrelationtothesportsseason.

EXCEPTION1:Ifthestudentisa“childwithadisability”asthattermisdefinedwithintheOhioOperatingStandardsfortheEducationofChildrenwithDisabilitiesandPartBoftheFederalIDEIArequirementsandthestudent’sspecificdisabilitywasdiagnosedcontemporaneouswiththeeventswhichcausedthestudenttobeunabletomeettherequire-mentsofthisbylaw;andwhosedisabilityistheprimaryreasonforstudent’sinabilitytomeettherequirementsofthisbylaw,thatstudentmaybedeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeif,inthesolediscretionoftheExecutiveDirector’soffice,theExecutiveDirector’sofficedeterminesthat:

a)thestudentdoesnotposeasafetyrisktohimself/herselforothers;and b)thestudentdoesnotenjoyanyadvantagesintermsofphysicalmaturity,mentalmaturityorathleticmaturityover

otherstudent-athletes;and c)thestudentwouldnotlikelyparticipateinanymeaningfulwayinanycontestorotherwisehaveanyimpactonthe

outcomeofanycontestinwhichthestudentdoesparticipate;and d)thereisnoevidenceof“red-shirting”orotherindiciaofacademicdishonesty.4-2-2 Ifastudentenrolledingrade7or8attainstheageof15beforeAugust1,thestudentshallbeineligibletoparticipatein

7th&8thgradeinterscholasticathleticsfortheschoolyearcommencinginthatcalendaryear. EXCEPTION1:Ifthestudentisa“childwithadisability”asthattermisdefinedwithintheOhioOperatingStandards

fortheEducationofChildrenwithDisabilitiesandPartBoftheFederalIDEIArequirementsandthestudent’sspecificdisabilitywasdiagnosedcontemporaneouswiththeeventswhichcausedthestudenttobeunabletomeettherequire-mentsofthisbylaw;andwhosedisabilityistheprimaryreasonforstudent’sinabilitytomeettherequirementsofthisbylaw,thatstudentmaybedeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeif,inthesolediscretionoftheExecutiveDirector’soffice,theExecutiveDirector’sofficedeterminesthat:



outcomeofanycontestinwhichthestudentdoesparticipate;and d)thereisnoevidenceof“red-shirting”orotherindiciaofacademicdishonesty. EXCEPTION2:Ifastudenthasrepeatedanygradefromkindergartenthroughgrade3attherecommendationofthe

student’steachersorothereducationalprofessionalsandforpurelyacademicreasonsand,asaresultofrepeatinganyofthesegrades,thestudentcannotmeettheagelimitationsofthisbylawinthestudent’seighthgradeyearwiththe7th&8thgradeschool,theExecutiveDirector’sofficemaydeclarethestudenteligiblenotwithstandingthisbylaw4-2-2if,inthesolediscretionoftheExecutiveDirector’soffice,thefollowingcriteriacanbemet:


otherstudent-athletesofher/hisgradelevel;and c)thestudentwouldnotlikelyparticipateinanymeaningfulwayinanycontestorotherwisehaveanyimpactonthe

outcomeofanycontestinwhichthestudentdoesparticipate;and d)thereisnoevidenceof“red-shirting”orotherindiciaofacademicdishonesty.4-2-3 An8thgradestudentmay,atthestudent’soption,becomeeligibleforinterscholasticathleticsatthehighschoollevel

whenthestudentattainshis/her15thbirthdaybeforeAugust1oftheensuingschoolyear.Thestudentwhochoosestocommencehighschooleligibilitywhilestillenrolledingradeeightiseligibleattheschoolwherethestudentisexpectedtoenrollattheninthgradelevel.Astudentoptingtocommenceher/hiseligibilityatthehighschoollevelshallhaveno

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morethaneightsemestersofhighschooleligibilitytakeninorderofattendanceinaccordancewithBylaw4-3-3. Note: This means that a student’s senior year of eligibility will be affected if the student chooses to commence high

school eligibility while still enrolled in grade eight. Furthermore, if the student does not opt to become eligible at the high school level, she/he shall be ineligible on account of her/his age at the 7th-8th grade level of interscholastic competition.

4-2-4 Indeterminingtheageofastudent,thedateofbirthasrecordedintheschoolrecordsshallbeconsideredasfinal,exceptthatwhenbirthrecords,filedwithinsixyearsafterdateofbirth,areavailableintheStateBureauofVitalStatisticsoracomparablegovernmentalagency,itshallbeused.Ifthisinformationisnotavailableandiftheschoolrecordsdonotagree,theearliestdateofbirthshallbeconsideredthevaliddateofbirth.

4-2-5 FamilyBibles,physician’sstatements,parents’affidavits,baptismalcertificatesetc.,willnotbeacceptedinlieuofbirthcertificates.Amendmentstobirthcertificatesfiledaftersixyearsfromdateofbirthwillnotbeconsidered.Section 3. Enrollment and Attendance

Forpurposesofthissectionandtheinterpretationsthereunder: 1. — Astudentcannotattendaschoolwithoutbeingofficiallyenrolled; 2. — Astudentcannotbeenrolledinmorethanoneschoolatanygiventime,and 3. — Onceastudentisenrolledandattendinganewschool,theOHSAAshallconsiderthestudentwithdrawnfromthe

formerschool. Note:NotwithstandingtheseexceptionstoBylaw4-3-1,allhighschoolstudentsmustalsocomplywiththetransferBylaw4-7.4-3-1 Allstudentsparticipatinginaschool-sponsoredsportmustbeenrolledinandattendingfull-timeinaccordancewithall

dulyadoptedBoardofEducationorsimilargoverningboardpoliciesofthatschool. EXCEPTION1:Astudentenrolledintheninthgradeseparatefromthehighschool(grades10-12)iseligibletopartic-

ipatewiththeschoolsquadofthehighschoolthestudentwillbeassignedtoattend. EXCEPTION2:Astudentenrolledinajointvocationalschooliseligibleatthehighschoolwherethestudents’records

aremaintained. EXCEPTION3:Astudentenrolledfulltimeinapostsecondaryinstitution(nowknownasCollegeCreditPlus)iseligible

toparticipateatthehighschoolwherethestudent’srecordsaremaintained,providedthestudentisreceivinghighschoolcreditforaminimumoffiveonecreditcoursesinthepostsecondaryinstitution.

EXCEPTION 4:A student enrolled in a non-traditional (alternative,magnet, career-oriented, digital, specialty, etc.)schoolthatissponsoredbyaBoardofEducationiseligibletoparticipateatthememberschool,operatedbythedistrictsponsoringthenon-traditionalschoolprovidedthenon-traditionalschooldoesnotsponsorinterscholasticathletics.EachstudentwillbecountedontheEMISreportforthememberhighschoolwherethatstudent’seligibilityisvested.Studentswhoattendnon-traditionalschoolsthataresponsoredbyamultiplehighschoolpublicschooldistrictshallbeassignedforinterscholasticathleticstomemberschoolswithinthedistrictbasedonthebusinessrulesforparticipationthathavebeenadoptedby theBoardofDirectors.https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Eligibility/BusinessRulesMulti-HSPublic.pdf

EXCEPTION5:Astudentwhoisreceivinghomeinstructioninaccordancewithdivision(A)(2)ofsection3321.04oftheRevisedCodeandisenrolledinanon-publicmemberschoolinaccordancewiththepartialenrollmentpolicyofthegoverningboardofthatnon-publicschoolmaybeeligibleatthenon-publicschoolwherethestudentisenrolledandattending.Suchpartialenrollmentpolicyrequires thatat leastoneof thecoursesbeanacademiccourse takenat theschool’sphysicallocation.

Note:Astudententeringamembernon-publicschoolfromahomeschoolmustdosoatthebeginningoftheschoolyearafterhavingbeenhomeeducatedforatleastonecalendaryear.Failuretomeetthisone-yearprovisionrequiresthestudenttobeenrolledforaminimumofonegradingperiodbeforethestudentcanbedeclaredeligible.

Note:StatelawpermitshomeeducatedstudentsinaccordancewithORC3312.04(A)(2)tobeaffordedtheopportunitytoparticipateat thepublicschool in thedistrictof residenceof theparentswithoutanyenrollmentobligation. If theresidentialpublicschooldistrictdoesnotofferthesport,thehomeeducatedstudentMAYparticipateatanothernon-res-identialpublicschoolprovidedthesuperintendentofthatdistrictpermitssuchparticipation.

EXCEPTION6:UnlessotherwisemandatedwithintheOhioRevisedCode. Seethisdocumentforanexplanationofthecurrentmandates:

https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Eligibility/BusinessRulesMultiHSPublic.pdf

EXCEPTION7:Astudentwhoisa“childwithadisability”asthattermisdefinedat42U.S.C.Section12102(ADA)andtheRegulationspromulgatedthereunderwhoisenrolledinaSpecialEducationprogramataschooloutsideofthedistrictofresidenceofparentsiseligibleattheschoolwherethestudentattendsclassesortheschoollocatedinthedistrictofresidenceoftheparents,PROVIDEDeachofthefollowingismet:(a)thestudent’sparentsresideinOhio;(b)theschooldistrictinwhichtheparentsresidedoesnotprovidetherequiredprogramstomeetthestudent’sspecialeducationneeds;and(c)thereisacontractualagreementspecifyingtheresponsibilityforeducatinga“childwithdisabilities”betweenthe

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respectiveschoolboardsorbetweentheparentsandtheschoolthestudentwiththedisabilitywillattend.4-3-2 Forpurposesofthesemesterbylaws4-3-3and4-3-4only,enrollmentandattendanceinaschoolshallbedeemedcontinu-

ousuntilsuchdatewhenastudenthasbeenofficiallywithdrawnfromtheschoolinaccordancewiththatschool’spolicies.4-3-3 Afterastudentcompletestheeighthgradeorisotherwiseeligibleforhighschoolathleticsparticipation,thestudentmay

beeligibleforaperiodnottoexceedeightsemesterstakeninorderofattendance,regardlessofwhetherthestudentpar-ticipatesoriseveneligibletoparticipateinaccordancewiththeseeligibilitybylaws.Astudentingrade7or8whoattainstheageof15beforeAugust1shallbeeligibleonlyatthehighschoollevelforaperiodnottoexceedeightsemesterscommencingwiththesemesterofthestudent’sfirstparticipationatthehighschoollevel.

SeeBylaw4-3-5forfurtherdefinitionofwhatconstitutes“orderofattendance”asitrelatestothesesemesterbylaws. EXCEPTION1:TheExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaypermitastudentwhocompletestheeighthsemesterofeligibility

duringtheseasonofasporttocompletethesportsseasonofthesportinwhichthestudentisparticipatingprovidedthestudentisenrolledinschool.Ifsuchextensionisgranted,thestudentisineligibleforfurtherinterscholasticparticipationwhenthesportsseason,regularandtournament,hasended.

EXCEPTION2:Ifthestudentisa“childwithadisability”asthattermisdefinedwithintheOhioOperatingStandardsfortheEducationofChildrenwithDisabilitiesandPartBoftheFederalIDEIArequirementsandthestudent’sspecificdisabilitywasdiagnosedcontemporaneouswiththeeventswhichcausedthestudenttobeunabletomeettherequire-mentsofthisbylaw;andwhosedisabilityistheprimaryreasonforstudent’sinabilitytomeettherequirementsofthisbylaw,thatstudentmaybedeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeif,inthesolediscretionoftheExecutiveDirector’soffice,theExecutiveDirector’sofficedeterminesthat:



outcomeofanycontestinwhichthestudentdoesparticipate;and d)thereisnoevidenceof“red-shirting”orotherindiciaofacademicdishonesty. EXCEPTION3:TheExecutiveDirector’sOffice,initssolediscretion,maypermitastudentwhobeganhighschoolin

anothercountrytohaveeightsemestersofhighschooleligibilityintheUnitedStateswhenevidencecanbepresentedthatthestudent’splacementinhighschooloutsidetheUnitedStateswasinappropriateforthestudent’sageandacademiccapabilities.

Note:Ifastudentcompetesatthehighschoollevelasanineligiblestudent,thatsemester(s)ofeligibilityshallcounttowardtheeightsemesterspermitted.

4-3-4 Afterastudentcompletesthesixthgradeorisotherwiseeligiblefor7-8thgradeathleticsparticipationandbeforethestudententerstheninthgrade,thestudentmaybeeligibleforaperiodnottoexceedfoursemesterstakeninorderofattendance,whetherthestudentparticipatesornot.

EXCEPTION:Ifthestudentisa“childwithadisability”asthattermisdefinedwithintheOhioOperatingStandardsfortheEducationofChildrenwithDisabilitiesandPartBoftheFederalIDEIArequirementsandthestudent’sspecificdis-abilitywasdiagnosedcontemporaneouswiththeeventswhichcausedthestudenttobeunabletomeettherequirementsofthisbylaw;andwhosedisabilityistheprimaryreasonforstudent’sinabilitytomeettherequirementsofthisbylaw,thatstudentmaybedeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeif,inthesolediscretionoftheExecutiveDirec-tor’soffice,theExecutiveDirector’sofficedeterminesthat:



outcomeofanycontestinwhichthestudentdoesparticipate;and d)thereisnoevidenceof“red-shirting”orotherindiciaofacademicdishonesty.4-3-5 Astudentwhoisenrolled15ormoreschooldaysinanysemester,orwhoparticipatesinaninterscholasticcontestprior

toorduringasemester,shallhavethatsemestercountasonesemesterofeligibility.Inaddition,thefollowingsituationsshallcountasasemesterofeligibility:

1:Astudentwhodoesnotattendschoolinasemesterduetoasuspensionoranexpulsionshallhavethatsemester(s)countinthetotaloffour (grades 7-8) or eight (high school)thatarepermitted.2:AstudentwhodoesnotattendschoolduetoenrollmentinapostsecondaryinstitutionthatisnotpartoftheCollegeCreditPlusProgram(dualcreditforbothhighschoolandpostsecondaryschool)shallhavethatsemester(s)countinthetotaloffour oreightthatarepermitted.3:Astudentwhodoesnotattendanyschoolforasemester(s)duetotruancyshallhavethatsemester(s)countinthetotalof four oreightthatarepermitted.4:Astudentwhodoesnotattendanyschoolforasemester(s)duetowithdrawal,and a student who is excused from compulsory attendance to be home educatedshallhavethatsemester(s)countinthetotaloffour oreightthatarepermitted.

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EXCEPTION:TheExecutiveDirectormay,intheexerciseoftheExecutiveDirector’ssolediscretion,disregardapar-ticularsemesterof“enrollment”ifextenuatingcircumstancesofsuchenrollmentarepresentedandareshowntohaveexistedthroughnofaultofthestudent-athlete.

4-3-6 AstudentisconsideredagraduatewhenthestudenthascompletedtheworkrequiredforgraduationandisdeclaredagraduatebytheBoardofEducationorasimilargoverningboard.Notwithstandingthefactthestudentmaybeageeligibleandhavesemestersofeligibilityremaining,agraduateisnolongereligibleforinterscholasticsportsexceptforpartici-pationintheremainingcontestsofthatsemester.

4-3-7 AstudentwhohasreceivedhisorhereducationoutsidetheUnitedStatesisconsideredagraduatewhenthestudenthascompletedtheworkrequiredforgraduationorhascompletedtherequirementsforcompulsoryeducationasmandatedbythatcountryinwhichthestudentreceivedhis/hereducation.Notwithstandingthefactthestudentmaybeageeligibleandhavesemestersofeligibilityremaining,suchagraduateisnolongereligibleforinterscholasticsportsexceptforparticipationintheremainingcontestsofthatsemester.

EXCEPTION:Ifithasbeendeterminedthatastudent,whohasbeeneducatedinasystemoutsidetheUnitedStates,hasnotmetthesubstantiveacademicrequirementsoftheNCAAinitialeligibilitycenterinregardtohighschoolgraduation(notwithstandingACT/SATscoresorEnglishproficiency),thestudentmaybedeclaredeligibleatamemberschoolatthesolediscretionoftheExecutiveDirector’soffice.Section 4. Scholarship

Note 1:TheOHSAAwillacceptscholarshipeligibilityforstudentsenrollingfromoutsideOhioifthosestudentshadmettheeligibilitystandardsofthestatefromwhichtheytransferredorthestandardsfoundin4-4.

Note 2:Forstudentswhoattendcommunityschools,vocationalschoolsornon-traditionalschoolssponsoredbyaschooldistrict,studentswhoareinvolvedwithSTEM,CollegeCreditPlusandothereducationaloptionsandstudentswhoarehomeeducated,theimmediatelyprecedinggradingperioddeterminationshallbethegradingperiodoftheschoolforwhichthestudentwishestocompete.

Please seehttps://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Eligibility/OtherEligibiltyDocs/CCP.Non-EnrolledStu-dentGradeSheet.pdf to obtain a form to assist you in documenting grades for these students.

Note 3:ScholarshipEligibilityforthehomeeducatedstudentwhowasnothomeeducatedforanentireyear,leavesaschoolforhomeeducationduringaschoolyearorwhocommenceshomeeducationduringtheschoolyearafterbeingdeclaredineligible,shallbeevaluatedforeligibilitybasedonORC§3313.5312.

Note 4:Nostudentwhohasfailedacourseorwasnotenrolledinacourseduringthegradingperiodshallbeabletousethatcoursetofulfillthescholarshiprequirementifthecoursewasnotacoursethatthestudentwasenrolledinandpassingattheconclusionofthegradingperiod.

4-4-1 Inordertobeeligibleingrades9-12,astudentmustbecurrentlyenrolledandmusthavebeenenrolledinschooltheim-mediatelyprecedinggradingperiod.ForthepurposeofthisBylaw4,Section4,theterm“gradingperiod”isdefinedastheschool’sBoard-adoptedcalendar(e.g.,sixweek,nineweek,12weekorsemester)anddoesnotmeananinterimmarkingperiod.Furthermore,attheconclusionoftheprecedinggradingperiod,thestudentmusthavereceivedpassinggradesin aminimumoffive(5)one-creditcoursesortheequivalent,eachofwhichcountstowardgraduation.Forthepurposeofthisbylaw,theterm“immediatelyprecedinggradingperiod”referstothegradingperiodoftheschoolwhichimmediatelyprecedesthegradingperiodinquestion.

EXCEPTION1:TheExecutiveDirector’sofficemaywaivethisrequirementforastudentinher/his12thandfinalyearofschoolwho(a)hasaccumulatedsufficientcredithourstohavegraduatedintheprecedingsemester;(b)maintainsagradepointaverageinthetoptenpercentofthestudent’sclass;and(c)candemonstratethattheunderlyingpurposesofthisbylawhavebeenotherwisefulfilledbythestudent.

EXCEPTION2:TheExecutiveDirector’sofficemaywaive therequirementsof thisbylawprovided thestudenthasbeenphysicallywithdrawnorremovedfromschoolbecauseofcircumstancesduetopersonalaccident,illnessorfamilyhardship.Anappealforsuchawaivermustcomefromtheprincipaloftheschoolandbeinwriting.Theappealforwaivershallcontaindocumentswithschoolandmedicalsupportingevidence.

EXCEPTION3:Ifastudent’sfailuretomeettherequirementsofthisbylawareduetoan“incomplete”giveninoneormorecourseswhichthestudentwastakingduringthegradingperiodinquestion,thestudentmayhavehis/hereligibilityrestoredbytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeoncethe“incomplete”hasbeenchangedtoapassinglettergradeprovided:

a)thefailuretocompletetherequiredcourseworkduringthegradingperiodwasduetocalamityday(s),familytragedy,orillnessoraccidentasverifiedbyaphysiciancontemporaneousatthetimeoftheincident;and

b)the“incomplete”wasgiveninaccordancewithBoardofEducation/othergoverningboardadoptedpoliciesandpro-ceduresandisapplicabletoallstudentsintheschool;and

c)thepreviouslyscheduledworkand/orexamsis/arecompletedwithinthetimeperiodprovidedinBoardpolicyforcompletingworkrequiredtoconvertan“incomplete”intoalettergrade;and

d)thereisnoevidencethatthe“incomplete”wasgiveninordertoaffordthestudentextendedtimeinordertoprovidethestudenttutoringorothereducationalservicessimplytoavoidafailinggrade.

Note:Thisexceptiononlyapplieswherean“incomplete”hasbeenissuedandnota lettergradethat issubsequently

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changedasaresultoftheextendedtime/additionalwork.Ifahighschooldistrict/systemdoesNOThaveaBoardPolicyontheRestorationofanIncompletetoaGradeordidnothaveapolicywhenthisexceptionwasrequested,thestudentshallnotbeabletoavailhimorherselfofthisexception.

4-4-2 If,eitherthroughthedueprocessprocedureorthedirectmediationprocessestablishedbytheOhioDepartmentofEduca-tionincompliancewiththeIndividualswithDisabilitiesEducationAct,itisdeterminedthataschoolhasfailedtoprovideallofthesupportservicesasidentifiedinastudent’sIEPasnecessaryforthestudenttoreceivea“freeandappropriatepubliceducation,”ANDtheExecutiveDirector’sofficedeterminesthatthisfailuretoprovidethesenecessaryservicescausedthestudenttofailtomeettherequirementsofBylaw4-4-1orBylaws4-4-4or4-4-5,thestudentmaybedeclaredeligibleby theExecutiveDirector’sofficeuponthestudent’ssuccessfulcompletionof theappropriatecompensatoryeducationasorderedbytheIndependentHearingOfficer(I.H.O.)orthroughthemediationprocess.

4-4-3 Theeligibilityorineligibilityofastudentcontinuesuntilthestartofthefifthschooldayofthenextgradingperiod,atwhichtimethegradesfromtheimmediatelyprecedinggradingperiodbecomeeffective.Forthepurposesofthisbylaw,“schoolday” includes faculty in-servicedays, calamitydaysand regular school attendancedaysbutnotholidaysorschoolbreaks.

EXCEPTION1:Eligibilityorineligibilityforthefirstgradingperiodcommenceswiththestartofthefallsportsseason. EXCEPTION2:Astudentcomingoffthe“ineligiblestatus”maybecomeeligibleafterthefifthcalendardayimmediately

followingtheendofthegradingperiodprovidedthosegradescanbeobtainedandverifiedbyaschooladministrator.4-4-4 Astudentenrolledinthefirstgradingperiodafteradvancementfromtheeighthgrademusthavepassedaminimumof

fourofallsubjectscarriedtheimmediatelyprecedinggradingperiodinwhichthestudentwasenrolled.4-4-5 Astudentenrollingintheseventhgradeforthefirsttimewillbeeligibleforthefirstgradingperiodregardlessofprevious

academicachievement.Thereafter,inordertobeeligible,astudentingrade7or8mustbecurrentlyenrolledandmusthavebeenenrolledinschooltheimmediatelyprecedinggradingperiodandreceivedpassinggradesattheconclusionof thatgradingperiodinaminimumoffourofthosesubjectsinwhichthestudentreceivedgrades.

EXCEPTION1:TheExecutiveDirector’sofficemaywaivetherequirementsofthisbylawprovidedthestudenthasbeenwithdrawnorremovedfromschoolbecauseofcircumstancesduetopersonalaccident,illnessorfamilyhardship.Anappealforsuchawaivermustcomefromtheprincipaloftheschoolandbeinwriting.Theappealforwaivershallcontaindocumentswithschoolandmedicalsupportingevidence.

EXCEPTION2:Ifastudent’sfailuretomeettherequirementsofthisbylawareduetoan“incomplete”giveninoneormorecourseswhichthestudentwastakingduringthegradingperiodinquestion,thestudentmayhavehis/hereligibilityrestoredbytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeoncethe“incomplete”hasbeenchangedtoapassinglettergradeprovided:

a) thefailuretocompletetherequiredcourseworkduringthegradingperiodwasduetocalamityday(s),familytragedy,orillnessoraccidentasverifiedbyaphysiciancontemporaneousatthetimeoftheincident;and

b) the“incomplete”wasgiveninaccordancewithBoardofEducation/othergoverningboardadoptedpoliciesandpro-ceduresandisapplicabletoallstudentsintheschool;and

c) thepreviouslyscheduledworkand/orexamsis/arecompletedwithinthetimeperiodprovidedinBoardpolicyforcompletingworkrequiredtoconvertan“incomplete”intoalettergrade;and

d) thereisnoevidencethatthe“incomplete”wasgiveninordertoaffordthestudentextendedtimeinordertoprovidethestudenttutoringorothereducationalservicessimplytoavoidafailinggrade.

Note:Thisexceptiononlyapplieswherean“incomplete”hasbeenissuedandnota lettergradethat issubsequentlychangedasaresultoftheextendedtime/additionalwork.Ifaschooldistrict/systemdoesNOThaveaBoardPolicyontheRestorationofanIncompletetoaGradeordidnothaveapolicywhenthisexceptionwasrequested,thestudentshallnotbeabletoavailhimorherselfofthisexception.

4-4-6 Theprimaryresponsibilityforverifyingeligibilityrestswiththereceivingschool.Eligibilityshallbeverifiedbyreview-ingschoolrecordsorwrittenverificationfromthesendingschool.

4-4-7 SummerschoolandothereducationaloptionsmaynotbeusedtobringastudentintocompliancewithBylaws4-4-1,4-4-4or4-4-5.

Note:Theprohibitioninthisbylawisapplicablebothprospectivelyandretrospectively.Section 5. Conduct, Character, Discipline

4-5-1 Inmatterspertainingtopersonalconductinwhichathleticcontestsandtheirrelatedactivitiesarenotinvolved,theschoolitselfistobethesolejudgeastowhetherthestudentmayparticipateinathletics.

4-5-2 Inmatterspertainingtopersonalconductinwhichathleticcontestsandtheirrelatedactivitiesareinvolved,theprincipalandgameofficialsshallfileareportandtheExecutiveDirector’sofficeshallhavejurisdictiontodetermineadditionalpenaltiesincludingwhetherornotthestudentmayparticipateinathletics.

4-5-3 PhysicalattacksonanyofficialshallbereportedtotheAssociationofficeimmediatelybytheofficialsinvolved.TheExecutiveDirector’sofficeshallconductaninvestigationanddeterminethepenaltiesinvolved.

4-5-4 Anystudentswhoareejectedordisqualifiedfromanathleticcontestinanysportforunsportingconductoraflagrantviolationshallbeimmediatelyplacedunderthedirectsupervisionofaschoolofficial.

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4-5-5 Anystudentsuspendedorexpelledfromamemberschoolshallbeineligibleforinterscholasticathleticsatanymemberschoolforthedurationofthesuspensionorexpulsion.Forthepurposeofthisbylaw,suspensionreferstothedenialofattendanceatschoolforaperiodofnotmorethan10days.Expulsionreferstotheinvoluntaryremovalofastudentformorethan10days.

4-5-6 Anystudentwhoissubjecttoapenaltyorconsequencesforviolationsofaschool’sBoardadoptedCodeofConduct(Student,Athletic)shallbedeclaredineligibleintheeventthestudenttransferstoanotherschoolbeforethepenaltyorconsequencehasbeenfullyserved. It is theresponsibilityofanadministratorat thenewschool to inquirefromtheadministratoratthestudent’sformerschoolofanyviolationofthisnaturethatwouldaffectthestudent’seligibilityininterscholasticathleticsanddurationofthesuspensionforthatviolation.Section 6. Residence

4-6-1 ThedistrictsforallpublicschoolsareestablishedbytheStateBoardofEducationanddefinedforathleticpurposes.Inaddition,schooldistrictswithmultiplehighschoolsmayestablishattendancezoneswithinthosedistricts.Indeterminingone’sresidenceforpurposesofthesebylaws,thefollowingcriteriashallapply:(a)wheretheparentsandfamilymemberssleepthemajorityofthetime,(b)wherethemailisreceived,(c)wherethemealsarepreparedandeaten,(d)wheretheparentsareregisteredtovote,and(e)whereimportantfamilyactivitiestakeplaceduringsignificantpartsofeachday.

Note:Itshallnotbeconsidereda“bonafide”changeofresidenceasprescribedinBylaw4-7-2,Exception1,orBylaw4-7-4(1)iftheparentsofatransferstudentvacatetheresidencepriortooneyearfromthedatethatthestudent’stransferisapproved,andthestudentremainsintheschoolintowhichthetransferwasapproved.

4-6-2 Astudentwhoseparents,(biological or adoptive),resideoutsidethestateofOhiowillbeineligibleforinterscholasticathleticsinamemberschool.(SeeBylaw4-8-1foreligibilityrequirementsforinternationalstudents).

Note:StudentsaffectedbythisoutofstateresidencebylawmaystillbeaffectedbyallothereligibilitystandardsinBy-law4includingthetransferprovisionsin4-7andtheinternationalprovisionsin4-8.

EXCEPTION1:TheExecutiveDirector’sofficemaydeclareastudentwhoisthesubjectofacustodyorguardianshiporderissuedbyacourtofproperjurisdictionconferringcustody/guardianshipuponagrandparent,aunt,uncleorsiblingwhoresidesinOhio,if,inthesolediscretionoftheExecutiveDirector’soffice,theExecutiveDirector’sofficedeter-minesthatthepurposeofthischangeincustodywasnotforathleticreasons,butpurelyforthebestinterestofthestudentintermsofthestudent’smental,physicalandeducationalwell-being.Such a student is ineligible until declared eligible bytheExecutiveDirector’soffice.

Note:UponenrollmentofastudentwhoseparentsliveoutsidethestateofOhiobutwithintheUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritories,oriftheparentsmoveoutsidethestateofOhiopriortoorduringthestudent’shighschoolcareer,theprincipalofthatschoolinwhichthestudentisbeingenrolledshallnotifytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeofsaidenrollment,andthefactsandcircumstancesregardinganychangeofcustodysothattheExecutiveDirector’sofficecanmakeaninformeddecisionregardingthestudent’squalificationsunderthisexception.

Pleasebeadvised thatstudentswhotransfer intoanOhiohighschoolunder thisresidenceexceptionmustadhere toanexceptiontothetransferbylaw4-7-2orbepreparedtofulfillthetransferconsequenceinanysportinwhichtheyparticipatedinthe12monthsimmediatelyprecedingthetransfer.Afterthefirst50%ofthemaximumallowableregularseasoncontestshavebeencompeted,thestudentshallthenbecomeINELIGIBLEfortheremainderoftheregularseasoncontests.Furthermore,thestudentshallalsoremainineligibletoparticipateintheOHSAAsponsoredtournament(s).

EXCEPTION2:TheExecutiveDirector’sofficemaygranteligibilitytoastudentwhomakesabonafidemoveintoOhiowithhis/herlegalcustodian/guardian,anditcanbeshownthat,pursuanttoacourtorder,theindividualhashadlegalcustody/guardianshipofthestudentforaminimumofoneyear.SuchastudentisineligibleuntildeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’soffice.

Note:UponenrollmentofastudentwhoseparentsliveoutsidethestateofOhiobutwithintheUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritories,oriftheparentsmoveoutsidethestateofOhiopriortoorduringthestudent’shighschoolcareer,theprincipalofthatschoolinwhichthestudentisbeingenrolledshallnotifytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeofsaidenrollment,andthefactsandcircumstancesregardinganychangeofcustodysothattheExecutiveDirector’sofficecanmakeaninformeddecisionregardingthestudent’squalificationsunderthisexception.

PleasebeadvisedthatstudentswhotransferintoanOhiohighschoolunderthisresidenceexception#2andhavebeenunderthecustody/guardianshipoftheindividualwhoisnowanOhioresidentforlessthantwoyears,mustadheretoanexceptiontothetransferbylaw4-7orbepreparedtofulfillthetransferconsequenceinanysportinwhichtheypartici-patedinthe12monthsimmediatelyprecedingthetransfer.Afterthefirst50%ofthemaximumallowablevarsityregularseasoncontestshavebeencompeted,thestudentshallthenbecomeINELIGIBLEfortheremainderoftheregularseasoncontests.Furthermore,thestudentshallalsoremainineligibletoparticipateintheOHSAAsponsoredtournament(s).

EXCEPTION3:Ifastudent’sparentsmoveoutsidethestateofOhioatanytimeafterthestudenthasbeenenrolledandat-tendingaminimumof15daysatthebeginningofthestudent’s11thgradeschoolyear,thestudentmaybedeclaredeligiblefortheremainderofthestudent’shighschoolcareeratthehighschoolhe/shewasattendingatthetimeoftheparents’move, provided:

a)thestudent’senrollmentatthathighschoolhasbeencontinuousfollowingtheparents’move,andb)thestudentmeetsallothereligibilityrequirementsoftheseBylaws.

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EXCEPTION4:Astudentwhoenrollsatfirstgradelevelinaschoolconsistingofgrades1-12andwhomaintainscon-tinuousenrollmentshallbeeligibleforinterscholasticathleticsingrades7-12inthatschoolregardlessofplaceorstateofresidenceofparents.

EXCEPTION5:Astudentwhoseparent(s)hasbeencontinuouslyemployedforaminimumofthreeyearsasafulltime,licensedorclassifiedemployeeinanOhioschooldistrictorsystem,maybedeclaredeligibleinanOhioschoolinthatdistrictorsystemwheretheparentisemployed.Onceeligibilityisestablishedatthememberschool/district,thestudentshallremaineligibleunderthisexceptionforaslongasheorshemaintainscontinuousenrollmentinthatschool.The studentshallbeineligibleuntilruledeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.

EXCEPTION6:Astudentwhoresideswithintheboundariesofaparochialschoolsystemconsistingofgrades1-12thathasmultiplesitesorganizedintoelementaryschools(1-8)andsecondaryschools(9-12),andwhohasenrolledbythebeginningofthefourthgradelevelofanelementaryschoolinthatsystemandhasmaintainedcontinuousenrollmentinthatschoolsystemthroughgrade8,shallbeeligibleforinterscholasticathleticsingrades9-12providingthesecondaryschoolattendedbythestudentistheschooldesignatedbytheschoolsystemforthecontinuanceofthestudent’seduca-tionalprogram.

Note: TheOHSAAdoesrequirethatthesuperintendentofthenon-publicschoolsystemprovidetheExecutiveDirector’sOfficewithalistofanyelementaryschoolsunderthesystem’sjurisdictionthatarelocatedbothinsideandoutsideofOhio.ThestudentshallbeineligibleuntilruledeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.


EXCEPTION7:Astudentwhoresideswithintheboundariesofapublicschooldistrictinaneighboringstate;andwhoattendsanOhiopublicschoolsystemunderanarrangementthroughwhichtheentiregradeoftheout-of-statestudentattendstheOhiopublicschoolsystem;andforwhomthetuitionorcostofeducationforsaidout-of-statestudentispaidbytheneighboringstate’sschooldistrictofresidence;andwhowillbeeligibletoreceiveahighschooldiplomafromanOhiopublicschoolsystemshallbeeligibleforinterscholasticathleticsingrades7-12attheschoolsdesignatedbytheOhioschoolsystemforattendancebythestudentsfromtheneighboringstate.The student shall be ineligible until ruledeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.


EXCEPTION8:Astudentwhoisenrolledinamemberschoolthatprovideshousingforthestudentandacceptstheroleoftheparentinlocoparentis.ThestudentshallbeineligibleuntilruledeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.


EXCEPTION9:AstudentwhohasbeenenrolledinanOhioschoolpursuanttotheInterstateCompactofEducationalOpportunitiesforMilitaryChildrenmaybedeclaredeligibleatamemberschooluponsubmissionofaspecialpowerofattorney,relativetothecustodyorguardianshipofachildofamilitaryfamilyandexecutedunderapplicablelaw.The studentshallbeineligibleuntilruledeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.

EXCEPTION10:AstudentwhoisacitizenoftheUnitedStatesmaybedeclaredeligibleforinterscholasticathleticsintheeventthatthestudent’sparentsaredeportedfromtheUnitedStatesaslongasthestudentmaintainscontinuousenrollmentinanOhioschool.The student is not eligible until declared eligible by the OHSAA Executive Director’s Officeuponsubmissionoftheappropriatedocuments.

EXCEPTION11:Astudentmaybedeclaredeligibleforinterscholasticathleticswhenthestudent’sparent(s)arecitizensoftheUnitedStateswhoresideoutsidetheUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritories.The student is not eligible until de-claredeligiblebytheOHSAAExecutiveDirector’sOfficeuponsubmissionoftheappropriatedocuments.


EXCEPTION12:AstudentwhoisaUnitedStatescitizen,andwhoseparent(s)arenon-citizenslivingoutsidetheUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritories,maybeeligibleforinterscholasticathleticssubjecttotherestrictionsandconditionsset

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forthbelow: a.ThestudentmaybeeligibleforamaximumofoneschoolyearwhichisthefirstyearofenrollmentattheOhiomem-

berschool. b.ThestudenthasnotpreviouslyparticipatedinanyothervisitorexchangeprograminOhiooranyotherstatewithin

theUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritories,orattendedanyotherhighschoolintheUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritories.TheperiodofparticipationinanothervisitorexchangeprogramortheperiodofattendanceatanotherhighschoolintheUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritoriesshallcountagainsttheone-yearmaximumeligibilitysetforthin(a)above.

c.ThereshallbenoevidenceofadirectplacementforathleticpurposesintoaspecificmemberschoolinOhio. d.Thememberschoolatwhichthestudentwishestobedeclaredeligibleforinterscholasticathleticparticipationmust

submittheappropriateform(s)totheExecutiveDirector’soffice,andthestudentandschoolmustcooperatewiththeExecutiveDirector’sofficeindeterminingthatallotherrequirementsforeligibilityhavebeensatisfied,includingthescholarshipandagerequirements.

ThestudentisnoteligibleuntildeclaredeligiblebytheOHSAAExecutiveDirector’sOfficeuponsubmissionofthe appropriate documents.

Note:AstudentmaytravelfreelybackandforthbetweentheUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritoriesandthehomecountrywiththeproperU.S.passport.ThusastudentcouldhaveattendedhighschoolintheUnitedStatesoranyofitsterritories previouslywithoutbeingpartofanyInternationalExchangeProgram.Itistheresponsibilityoftheschooladministrationtoverifythatthestudentinthesecircumstancesmeetsalltherequirementsofeligibilityexpressedabove.

Pleasebeadvised thatstudentswhotransfer intoanOhiohighschoolunder thisresidenceexceptionmustadhere toanexceptiontothetransferbylaw4-7-2orbepreparedtofulfillthetransferconsequenceinanysportinwhichtheyparticipatedinthe12monthsimmediatelyprecedingthetransfer.Afterthefirst50%ofthemaximumallowableregularseasoncontestshavebeencompeted,thestudentshallthenbecomeINELIGIBLEfortheremainderoftheregularseasoncontests.Furthermore,thestudentshallalsoremainineligibletoparticipateintheOHSAAsponsoredtournament(s).Section 7. Transfers

Note:Studentswhochangehighschools(transfer)areremindedthattheymustmeetalleligibilitystandardsfoundinBylaw4.Thisincludesmeetingtheoutofstateresidencybylaw4-6-2,whichrequiresastudenttohaveaparentresidinginOhioortomeetoneoftheexceptionstothatresidencybylaw.

4-7-1 Thetransferbylawsapplytoallstudentsenrolledingrades9-12whoaretransferringhighschoolswhethertheschoolsarepublicornon-public,memberornon-memberorwhetherthehighschoolsarewithinthesameschoolsystemordis-trict.

4-7-2 Astudentisconsideredtohavetransferredwhenevera.)enrollmentischangedfromoneschooltoanotherschoolandthestudentattendsanewschool,orb.)enrollmentischangedfromoneschooltobecomehomeschooledorviceversa,orc.)thestudentparticipatesinapractice,scrimmageorcontestwithaschool-sponsoredsquadofaschoolinwhichthestudenthasnotbeenenrolledandattending,ord)theparticipationopportunitiesaffordedastudentpursuanttostatelawchange.Notwithstanding(c)and(d)above,ifanon-enrolledstudent’sparticipationispursuanttoO.R.C.§§3313.5311(Ohionon-public school students)or3313.537 (Ohiocommunity/STEMschool students), thenon-enrolled student’sparticipationopportunityshalltransferbacktothenon-publicschoolorCommunity/STEMschoolinwhichthestudentisenrolledwithouttransferconsequences.Ifthenon-publicschoolorCommunity/STEMschooleversponsorsthesport/sportsinwhichthenon-enrolledstudentwishestoparticipate,thestudent’sparticipationopportunityshallalsobetrans-ferredbacktotheschoolofattendancewithoutconsequence.Furthermore,anyin-seasonchangesintheparticipationopportunitiesthatmaybeaffordedbystatelawshallbesubjecttoBylaw4-7-3.

Ifastudenttransfersatanytimeaftercommencingtheninth-gradeyear,thestudentshallbeeligible,insofarastransferisconcerned,ONLYuntilthefirst50%ofthemaximumallowablevarsityregularseasoncontestshavebeencompetedinthosesportsinwhichthestudentparticipatedduringthe12monthsimmediatelyprecedingthistransfer.Thetransferconsequenceshallremainineffectuntiltheone-yearanniversaryofthedateofenrollmentintheschooltowhichthestudenttransferred,atwhichtimethestudentisnolongerconsideredatransferstudent.Forpurposesofthetransferbylaws,astudentwillbeconsideredashavingcommencedtheninthgradeyearbyeitherattendingfiveormoredaysofschoolasaninthgraderorbyestablishingeligibilityataschoolbyhavingparticipatedinacontest.Furthermore,theterm“participatedinacontest”forpurposesofthetransferbylawmeanstohaveplayedatleastoneplayinascrimmage,preview/jamboree,Foundationgameorregularseason/tournamentgameorcontest.

Afterthefirst50%ofthemaximumallowablevarsityregularseasoncontestshavebeencompeted,(regardlessoftheparticipationlevelofthestudent),thestudentshallthenbecomeINELIGIBLEfortheremainderoftheregularseasoncontestsatalllevels.Furthermore,thestudentshallalsoremainineligibletoparticipateintheOHSAAsponsoredtour-nament(s)inthoserespectivesportsuntiltheone-yearanniversaryofthestudent’sdateofenrollment.AstudentwhodidnotparticipateinanOHSAArecognizedsportinthe12monthsimmediatelyprecedingthetransferisnotsubjecttotheconsequenceofthistransferbylaw.

Notwithstandingtheabove,ifastudenttransfersduringtheseasonofasportinwhichheorshehasparticipatedinaregularseasoncontest,andifBylaw4-7-3requiresthatthestudentisineligibleforparticipationintheremainderofthecontestsinthatsportsseason,thestudentshallremainineligiblefortheremainderofallregularseasoncontests,aswellastheOHSAAtournament,inthatsportattheschoolintowhichthestudenthastransferred.Furthermore,thestudent

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shallfinishfulfillinghis/hertransferconsequence,forONLYthatsportinwhichthemid-seasontransferoccurred,atthecommencementofthesportseasonduringthenextschoolyear.Thisconsequencerequiresthatthestudentshallremainineligibleforallpreseasoncontests(scrimmages,preview/jamboree,Foundationgames)andallregularseasoncontestsuntil the totalnumberofvarsity regular seasoncontestsmissed (including thosemissedduring theprevious season)equals50percentofthemaximumallowableregularseasoncontestsinthatsport.

Note:ORC3313.5312(Ohiohomeeducatedstudents)hasbeenintentionallyleftoutoftheexclusionsofsubpart(b)addressingstudentsparticipatinginprogramswheretheyarenotenrolled.Onceahome-educatedstudentparticipateswithaschoolsponsoredsquadofaschoolinwhichthestudentisnotenrolled,thestudent’seligibilityisestablishedatthatschool.Participatingonanyotherschools’sponsoredsquadwillbeconsideredatransferforwhichthebalanceofthisbylawanditsexceptionwouldbeapplicable.

Maximum Allowable Contests in All OHSAA-recognized Sports and Formula for Determining Eligibility under the 50% Transfer Consequence

Sport Maximum # of Contests as per the OHSAA Board of Directors Policy

Transfer Student BECOMES INELIGIBLE AT VARSITY:

Baseball 27Games Game15Basketball(BoysandGirls) 22Games Game12Bowling(BoysandGirls) 24Matches Match13CrossCountry(BoysandGirls) 16Meets Meet9FieldHockey 16Games Game9Football 10Games Game6Golf(BoysandGirls) 20Matches Match11Gymnastics 14Meets Meet8IceHockey 35Games Game19Lacrosse(BoysandGirls) 18Games Game10Soccer(BoysandGirls) 16Games Game9Softball 27Games Game15SwimmingandDiving(BoysandGirls) 16Meets Meet9Tennis(BoysandGirls) 22 Contests Contest 12TrackandField(BoysandGirls) 16Meets Meet9Volleyball 22Matches Match12Wrestling 20PointsPoints/16points(forthose

schoolsthatdonotfieldteams–6orfewerweightclasses)

Point11/9

Withrespecttointer-districttransfers,oneormoreofthefollowingexceptionsmayapply: EXCEPTION1:If,asaresultofabonafidelegalchangeofresidencemadebyBOTHPARENTS(biological,adoptiveor

stepparents)fromonepublicschooldistrictintoanotherschooldistrictwhetherfromoutsidethestateofOhioorwithinOhio,thestudentiscompelledtotransfertoanotherhighschool,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaywaiveallorpartoftheperiodofineligibilityforoneormoresport/sportseasons.Therequirementthat“bothparents”makethemovemaybewaivedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeifthemarriageoftheparentshasbeenorisintheprocessofbeinglegallyterminatedoriftheparentswerenevermarried.Inaddition,theExecutiveDirector’sOffice,initssolediscretion,mayextendconditionaleligibilityforupto90daysimmediatelyfollowingthedateofthestudent’stransferincaseswhereparentsaremakingabonafidemoveintoaresidencethatismorethan100milesfromtheirformerresidence,andthereareextenuatingcircumstancesthatarepresentedwhichpreventoneoftheparentsfrommakingthemoveimmediately.This90-dayconditionalprovisionmaybeextendedforupto90moredaysONLYinthecaseofmedicalormilitaryob-ligationsthatpreventoneoftheparentsfrommakingthemoveatthesametimeastheotherparent.

Iftheperson(s)makingthebonafidemoveisnotthebiologicaloradoptiveparentorstepparentofthestudent,theschooladministratormustdisclosethecustodialrelationship,providethecourtordereddocumentsandadviseastothewhere-aboutsofthestudent’sbiologicaloradoptiveparents.

AnAffidavit of Bona Fide ResidenceintheformrequestedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice,mustbesubmittedalongwithanyrequestfortheapplicationofthisexception.

Note 1:PleaserefertoBylaw4-6-1foradefinitionofbonafideresidence.Also,thestudentandthestudent’sparents

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mustresideinthisnewresidenceforaperiodofoneyearfromthedateonwhichthisexceptionwasappliedtoagivenstudent inorder tomaintaineligibilityat theschool intowhich thestudent’s transferhasbeenapproved.Theschooldistrictwillhaveacontinuingdutytomonitorcompliancewiththeresidencyrequirementsduringthisoneyearperiod.Exceptiononepermitsthechoiceofthepublichighschoolintheparents’newpublicdistrictofresidence(anypublicschool in theparents’newdistrictof residence inamultiplehighschooldistrict),oranynon-publichighschool. If,however,thenewresidenceintowhichthefamilyhasmovedismorethan100milesfromtheresidencefromwhichthefamilymovedasdeterminedbymapquest.comorsuchothernavigationalsystemasadoptedbytheBoardofDirectorsatitsAugustmeeting(usingthemostdirectroute),thestudentshallhavetheoptiontoenrollcontemporaneouslywiththismoveintoanypublichighschool.

Note 2:If,asaresultofabonafidechangeofresidenceofthestudent’sparents,astudenttransfersandispermittedaparticipationopportunityatamemberschoolwhereheorsheisnotenrolled,inaccordancewithBylaw4-3-1exceptions#4and/or6,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemayapplythisexception1torestorefulleligibilityinregardtotransfer/changeofparticipationopportunityprovidedthestudent’sparticipationisinaccordancewithOHSAAbusinessrulesandinaccordancewithBylaw4-7-3.

EXCEPTION2:If,asaresultofalegalchangeofcustodyasbetweenastudent’sparents,wholiveintwodifferentschooldistricts,thestudentiscompelledtotransferfromoneschooldistricttotheotherschooldistrictwheretheotherparent resides,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaywaiveallorpartoftheperiodofineligibilityforoneormoresport/sportsea-sonsprovidedthestudentcontinuestolivewiththenewcustodianinordertosupporttheapprovalofthetransfertothenewhighschool.Ifcustody/guardianshipofastudentischangedtoanon-parentwhichcustody/guardianshipchangeistheresultofthedeathorincarcerationofthepriorcustodian,theinterventionofchildprotectiveservices,socialservicesorsimilarstateagency,andthenewcustodian/guardianlivesinadifferentschooldistrictthanthepreviouscustodian/guardian,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaywaiveallorpartofthe50percentperiodofineligibilityforoneormoresports/sportseasonsprovidedthestudentcontinuestolivewiththenewcustodian/guardianinordertosupporttheap-provalofthetransfertothenewhighschool.

TheExecutiveDirector’sOffice,initssolediscretion,maywaivetherequirementofacourt-orderedlegalchangeofcustodyforastudentwhois18,whencircumstancesarepresentedthatthestudentwascompelledtotransferschoolsandresidewithaparentwhoisabonafideresidentofthestateofOhio.

Byoperationofstatute,bothparentsinaSharedParentingPlanaretheresidentialandcustodialparentsofthechildatalltimesundersuchPlan.Therefore,solongasaSharedParentingPlanremainsineffect,therecanbeno“changeofcusto-dy”ascontemplatedbythisException2.However,intheeventaSharedParentingPlanremainsineffectbutachangeinthedesignationof“residentialparent”hasbeenmadebythecourtwithinthatplan,thestudentwhoisthesubjecttotheSharedParentingPlanmayapplyonetimetotheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeforaonetimeexceptiontothetransferbylawunderthisprovision.

Exception2permitsthechoiceofthepublichighschoollocatedintheresidentialschooldistrictofthenewlegalcusto-dianornewresidentialparent,oranynon-publicschool.

EXCEPTION3:Ifthehighschool,whichiseitheracharteredhighschoolinasinglehighschoolpublicschooldistrictoracharterednon-publichighschool,inwhichthestudentisenrolledclosesordiscontinuesitsentirehighschooleducationalprogramaftergradenine,thestudentmayenrollinanyschoolandbeimmediatelyeligibleatthathighschoolinsofarastransferisconcerned.Likewise,ifthebonafideresidenceofthestudent’sparentsisannexedtoadifferentschooldistrictorconsolidatedwithinaschooldistrict,thestudentmayberuledeligibleupontransfertoaschoolintheannexedorcon-solidateddistrictsubjecttomodificationbyformalactionbytheBoardsofEducationconcerned.AcopyofsuchactionbyBoardsofEducationmustbeonfileintheAssociationofficebeforetheExecutiveDirector’sofficecanrulethestudenteligible.ThisexceptionshallbeavailabletoanystudentwhosehighschoolhasclosedaslongasthathighschoolwasanOHSAAmemberschoolpriortothe2012-13schoolyear.

Note 1:Forschoolclosingsinamultiplehighschooldistrict,seeBylaw4-7-4regardingintra-districttransfers. Note 2:Thisexceptionhasnoapplicationtotheclosingofany“non-traditionalschool”suchasacommunityschoolor

anon-charterednon-publichighschooloranoutofstatehighschool. EXCEPTION4:Astudentwhodoesnotliveinthesameschooldistrictasparentsorlegalguardianandwhoisfinancially

self-supportingmayberuledeligibleuponapprovaloftheExecutiveDirectorataschoolinthedistrictwherethestudentresides.TheExecutiveDirectorisempoweredtoestablishrequirementsforthestudenttobedeterminedtobeself-sup-porting.TheserequirementsshallbeestablishedforeachschoolyearbyMay15thoftheprecedingyear.Self-supportdocumentationmustbesubmittedforapprovalevery30days.Thestudentbecomesineligiblebeginningwiththesecond50%ofthemaximumallowablevarsityregularseasoncontestsuntildeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeunderthisexception.Note:Livingwithand/orbeingemployedbyarelativedoesnotqualifyforself-supportunderthisexception.

EXCEPTION 5: A student transferred to the State School for the Blind or State School for the Deaf shall be eligible upon enrollment.

EXCEPTION 6: The Executive Director shall have the discretionary power to waive the residence requirements for a student who has been enrolled in the district in accordance with ORC §§ 3313.64 (F)(6) or 3313.64 (F)(7). The student is ineligible until ruled eligible by the Executive Director’s Office.

EXCEPTION7: If a student is a victimof harassment, intimidation or bullying as those terms are defined atORC

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§3313.666(A)(2)whichharassment,intimidationorbullyinghasbeendocumentedtotheschooldistrictinaccordancewiththeORC,andasaresultofthisdocumentedharassment,intimidationorbullyingthestudentiscompelledtotrans-fer,theExecutiveDirector’sOffice,initssolediscretion,maywaiveallorpartoftheperiodofineligibilityforoneormoresport/sportsseasonsprovided:

1)TheDistrict’sAnti-Harassment,Anti-Intimidation,Anti-BullyingpoliciesandproceduresadoptedinaccordancewithORC§3313.666havebeensubstantiallyfollowedandcompliedwith;and

2)TheDistrictprovidestheExecutiveDirector’sOfficewithacopyofthedulyadoptedpoliciesandprocedures;and 3)TheDistrictsecurestheappropriatereleasesfromthestudent/student’sparentsauthorizingtheDistricttoprovidea

completerecordoftheeventsandcircumstancesonwhichthepoliciesandprocedureswereinitiatedincluding: a)Aspecific,detailedreportoftheprohibitedincident(s); b)Anoutlineoftheproceduresusedtorespondtoandinvestigatethereportedincident(s); c)Acopyofthefindingsthatwerearesultofthecomplaintprocessandinvestigation; d)Aspecific,detaileddisciplinaryprocedureforanyindividualfoundguiltyofharassment, intimidationor

bullying; e)Allreportsofnotificationtoparentsorguardiansofanystudentinvolvementintheincident(s); f)Areportoftheinterventionstrategiesandremedialactiontheschoolhasundertakentoassistthestudentand

redressthecomplaint. 4)TheDistrictprovidestheExecutiveDirector’sOfficewithalloftheabove-referencedrecords. 5)InconcurrencewithORC§3313.666(A)(2),thisexceptioncannotbeusedforanyisolatedincidentsorallegedincidents

ofharassment,intimidationorbullying,norcanthisexceptionbeusedincaseswheretherehasbeennocontemporane-ousreportingoftheallegedbullying,harassmentorintimidation.

EXCEPTION8:AstudentwhohastransferredtoanotherhighschooltotakeadvantageoftheInternationalBaccalaure-ate(IB)DiplomaProgrammayberuledeligibleuponapprovalofthetheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.SuchastudentwhotransfersunderthisprovisionandwhosubsequentlydropsoutoftheDiplomaProgramshallbedeclaredimmediatelyineligibleandmaybesubjecttosanctionsinaccordancewithBylaw11-Penalties.

EXCEPTION9:Astudentshallbeentitledtoonetransfertothepublichighschoollocatedinthepublicschooldistrictwithinwhichthestudent’sresidentialparent/legalcustodianhasresidedforaminimumofoneyearregardlessofwhetherthestudentistransferringfromapublicornonpublicschool.Thestudentbecomesineligiblebeginningwiththesecond50%ofthemaximumallowablevarsityregularseasoncontestsuntildeclaredeligibleinaccordancewiththesubmissionoftheException9Formtodocumentthetransferassetforthintheexception.TheformcanbefoundatOHSAA.org.

Note 1:Bylaw4-7-2Exception9doesnotapplytotransferstoandfromhighschoolswithinamultiplehighschooldis-trict/system.Furthermore,forastudenttransferringintoamultiplehighschooldistrictfromeitherapublichighschoolinadifferentdistrictoranon-publichighschool,inordertousethisexceptionthestudentshallbeassigned(inaccordancewithOHSAAbusinessrules)ortransferredtothehighschoollocatedintheparents’attendancezone,or,iftherearenodefinedattendancezones,tothehighschoolwhichisclosesttotheparents’residence.PleaseseeBylaws4-7-4,4-7-6and4-7-7forthetransferruleswhichapplytointra-districtorsystemtransfers.

Note 2:Exception9cannotbeusedtotransferfromthepublichighschoolofthedistrictinwhichoneparentresidestothepublichighschoolofthedistrictinwhichtheotherparentresidesinasplit-familysituation.Conversely,anon-publicstudentwhoseparentsliveintwodifferentpublicschooldistrictsmayhavetheoptionunderthisbylawtotransfertothepublichighschoolineitherpublicschooldistrictinwhichthestudent’sparentsresideprovidedthestudenthasneverestablishedeligibilityatapublicschoolinadistrictinwhichacustodialparentresides.

Note 3:If,asaresultofatransfer/changeofparticipationopportunityinaccordancewithexception9,astudentisper-mittedaparticipationopportunityatamemberschoolwhereheorsheisnotenrolledinaccordancewithBylaw4-3-1exceptions4and/or6,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemayapplythisexception9torestorefulleligibilityinregardtotransfer/changeofparticipationopportunityprovidedthestudent’sparticipationisinaccordancewithOHSAAbusinessrulesandinaccordancewithBylaw4-7-3.

EXCEPTION10:Astudentwhohasbeenenrolledinandattendingamemberschoolinaschooldistrictthat,throughformalactionbytheschooldistrict’sBoardofEducation,haselectedtoeffectivelyceasewithitssponsorshipofitsentireinterscholasticathleticprograms,maytransfertoanyotherschooldistrict/systemandhavehis/hereligibilityrestoreduponapplicationtotheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.Furthermore,iftheschooldistrictformallyelects,throughBoardofEducationaction,toresumeitssponsorshipofitsinterscholasticathleticprograms,astudentwhotransferredundertheprovisionsofthisExceptionmaytransferbacktothememberschoolfromwhichshe/hetransferredunderthisprovisionprovidedthistransferbackoccurspriortothestartofthenextschoolyearfollowingtheschoolyearinwhichresumptionofthesponsorshipofinterscholasticathleticprogramsoccurred.

InconsiderationofallapplicationsfortherestorationofeligibilitypursuanttothisException,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficeshallgivedueconsiderationtoallfactorsrelatingtothetransferandparticularlythetimingofthetransferinre-lationtotheformalactionstakenbytheBoardofEducationineitherthecessationand/orresumptionofitssponsorshipoftheseprograms.ForpurposesofthisException,“formalaction”shallmeanmorethanthemerethreatofcessationof

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sponsorship,andresolutionsthatarecontingentuponafutureeventorhappeningwillnotberegardedas“formalaction”untilsuchcontingencyhasbeenmet.

NostudenttransferringunderthisprovisionshallbeeligibleuntildeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice. EXCEPTION11:Ifastudenthasexperiencedadeathofanimmediatefamilymember(parent,grandparent,legalcusto-

dian,sibling)withwhomthestudentwasresidingatthetimeofdeath,andbecauseofthislossitbecomesnecessaryforthestudenttotransfer,ifthetransferoccurswithinareasonabletimeafterthedeath,theExecutiveDirector’sOffice,initssolediscretion,maywaiveallorpartofthe50percentperiodofineligibilityforoneormoresport/sportsseasons.InordertoassisttheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeindeterminingwhetherthetransferwasnecessaryasaresultofthedeathofthefamilymember,theSuperintendentoftheschooldistrictfromwhichthestudenttransferredmustcertifytotheExecutiveDirector’sOfficethatthetransferwasnecessarytoprotectthestudent’sphysicaland/ormentalwell-being.AbsentsuchcertificationfromtheSuperintendent,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaynotapplythisexception.

EXCEPTION12–Astudentreturningfromadomesticexchangeprogramwithwhomthememberschoolhaspartneredtothesamehighschoolthestudentattendedimmediatelybeforeenteringintothisdomesticexchangeprogrammaybedeclaredeligibleinsofarasthetransferbylawisconcernedifallofthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

a)Thedomesticexchangeprogramexistsprimarilyforacademicandeducationallearningexperiences;and b)Thestudentreceivescreditsthatapplytowardthestudent’sgraduationintheOhiomemberschoolforthestudent’s

workinthedomesticexchangeprogram;and c)Intheeventthatstudentdidparticipateininterscholasticathleticswhileenrolledinthisdomesticexchangeprogram,

thestudent’sathleticparticipationwassecondarytohis/heracademicandeducationalreasonsforparticipationintheprogram;and

e)Thedomesticexchangeprogramhas,initscurriculumguide,astructuredbeginningandendingtotheprogramitself;and

f)TheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeinitssolediscretionmaywaiveallorpartoftheperiodofineligibilityuponsubmis-sionoftheappropriatedocumentationforthisexception.

4-7-3 Ifatransfer,asdefinedinBylaw4-7-2,takesplaceduringthesportseasoninwhichthestudenthasparticipatedinareg-ularseasoninterscholasticcontestinasport,thestudentisineligibleinthatsportfortheremainderofthatsportsseason intheschoolintowhichthestudenthastransferred.AstudentmaynotuseanyoftheexceptionstoBylaw4-7-2or4-7-4tocircumventthisbylawexceptifoneofthefollowingcircumstancesoccurs:

1) — Theparentsmakeabonafidemoveintoanewpublicschooldistrict,thestudentisapprovfortransfereligibilityundertherequirementsofException1ofBylaw4-7-2ANDtheschoolbuildingintowhichthestudenttransfersismorethan50milesfromtheschoolbuildingfromwhichthestudenttransfersasdeterminedbymapquest.com,orsuchothernavigationalsystemasadoptedbytheBoardofDirectorsatitsAugustmeeting,usingthemostdirectroute.

2) — AsaresultofalegalchangeofcustodyorachangeinplacementinwhichChildren’sServicesorasimilargov-ernmentagencyisinvolved,thestudentmaybeapprovedfortransfereligibilityprovidedtheschoolbuildingintowhich thestudent transfers ismore than50milesfromtheschoolbuildingfromwhich thestudent transfersasdeterminedbymapquest.com,orsuchothernavigationalsystemasadoptedbytheBoardofDirectorsatitsAugustmeeting,usingthemostdirectroute.

Forpurposesofthisbylaw,“sportseason”shallbedeterminedbythesportsregulationsforthatsport,beginningwiththefirstdateonwhichcoachingmaybeginandconcludingonthedatewhentheseasonends.

Inaddition,ifastudent’sparticipationopportunitychangesduringthesportseasoninwhichthestudenthasalreadypar-ticipatedinaregularseasoninterscholasticcontestinasportataschoolwheretheyarenotenrolled(pursuanttoO.R.C.§§3313.5311or3313.537),thestudentisineligibleinthatsportfortheremainderofthatsport’sseasonatthenewschoolintowhichthestudentisnowentitledaparticipationopportunity.AstudentmaynotuseanyoftheexceptionstoBylaw4-7-2or4-7-4tocircumventthisbylawifthestudentisnottransferringschools.Ifthestudentistransferringschools,thenthesameexceptionsasoutlinedaboveapply.

Note:PleaserefertoBylaw4-7-2,transfer,whichdiscussesthepro-ratingofthe50%periodofineligibilityforthenextschoolyear.

4-7-4 Thesuperintendentorpersondelegatedbythesuperintendentofeitheranon-publicsystemorpublicschooldistrictmaytransferstudentswithinthesystemwithoutjeopardizingtheireligibilityonlybyusingoneofthefollowingexceptions.

EXCEPTION1:If,asaresultofabonafidelegalchangeofresidencemadebyBOTHPARENTS(biological,adoptiveorstepparents)fromoneattendancezoneintoanotherattendancezoneinamultiplehighschooldistrict/system,thestudentiscompelledtotransfertoanotherdistrict/systemhighschool,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaywaiveallorpartoftheperiodofineligibilityforoneormoresport/sportseasons.Therequirementthat“bothparents”makethemovemaybewaivedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeifthemarriageoftheparentshasbeenorisintheprocessofbeinglegallyterminatedoriftheparentswerenevermarried.

Iftheperson(s)makingthebonafidemoveisnotthebiologicaloradoptiveparentorstepparentofthestudent,theschooladministratormustdisclosethecustodialrelationship,providethecourtordereddocumentsandadviseastothewhere-

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aboutsofthestudent’sbiologicaloradoptiveparents. AnaffidavitofbonafideresidenceintheformrequestedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeshallbesubmittedalongwith

anyrequestforapplicationofthisexception. Note:PleaserefertoBylaw4-6-1foradefinitionofbonafideresidence.Also,thestudentandthestudent’sparentsmust

resideinthisnewresidenceforaperiodofoneyearfromthedateonwhichthisexceptionwasappliedtoagivenstudentinorder tomaintaineligibilityat theschool intowhichthestudent’s transferhasbeenapproved.Theschooldistrict/systemwillhaveacontinuingdutytomonitorcompliancewiththeresidencyrequirementsduringthisone-yearperiod.Exceptiononepermitsthechoiceofthepublichighschoolintheparents’newattendancezoneonly.

EXCEPTION2:If,asaresultofalegalchangeofcustodyasbetweenastudent’sparents,wholiveintwodifferentattendancezoneswithinthemultiplehighschooldistrict/system,thestudentiscompelledtotransferfromonedistrict/systemhighschooltoanotherdistrict/systemhighschool,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaywaiveallorpartoftheperiodofineligibilityforoneormoresport/sportseasonsprovidedthestudentcontinuestolivewiththenewcustodianinordertosupporttheapprovalofthetransfertothenewhighschool.Ifcustody/guardianshipofastudentischangedtoanon-parent,wholivesinadifferentattendancezonethanthepreviouscustodian,whichcustody/guardianshipchangeisaresultofthedeathorincarcerationofthepriorcustodian,theinterventionofchildprotectiveservices,socialservicesorasimilaragency,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaywaiveallorpartoftheperiodofineligibilityforoneormoresport/sportseasons.Are-designationofresidentialparentwithinaSharedParentingPlanwillnotcomplywiththisexception.

EXCEPTION3:Amemberschoolinthedistrict/systemcloses,ortherewasamistakemadeinthestudent’sinitialplace-ment.Thisexceptionhasnoapplicationtotheclosingofany“non-traditionalschool”oranon-charterednon-publichighschool.

EXCEPTION4:Thestudentisachildwithadisabilitywhoseprogramasprescribedbythestudent’sI.E.P.hasbeenchangedtoanotherhighschool

EXCEPTION 5: The student transfers pursuant to state or federal statutes addressing unsafe schools or academically poor performing schools, and the student can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the superintendent that the transfer is for purely academic reasons and not athletic reasons. (Note: This exception will not apply to transfers from one poor performing school to another poor performing school.)

NOTE: The OHSAA uses the Ohio Department of Education’s List of Priority Schools as of the date the transfer request is received in the Executive Director’s Office to denote academically poor-performing schools.

EXCEPTION6: If a student is a victimof harassment, intimidation or bullying as those terms are defined atORC§3313.666(A)(2)whichharassment,intimidationorbullyinghasbeendocumentedtotheschooldistrict/systeminac-cordancewiththeORC,andasaresultofthisdocumentedharassment,intimidationorbullying,thestudentiscompelledtotransfer,theExecutiveDirector’sOffice,initssolediscretion,maywaiveallorpartofthe50%periodofineligibilityforoneormoresport/sportsseasonsprovided;

1) — TheDistrict’sAnti-Harassment,Anti-Intimidation,Anti-BullyingpoliciesandproceduresadoptedinaccordancewithORC§3313.666havebeensubstantiallyfollowedandcompliedwith;and

2) — TheDistrictprovidestheExecutiveDirector’sOfficewithacopyofthedulyadoptedpoliciesandprocedures;and 3) — TheDistrictsecurestheappropriatereleasesfromthestudent/student’sparentsauthorizingtheDistricttoprovidea

completerecordoftheeventsandcircumstancesonwhichthepoliciesandprocedureswereinitiatedincluding: a)Aspecific,detailedreportoftheprohibitedincident(s) b)Anoutlineoftheproceduresusedtorespondtoandinvestigatethereportedincident(s); c)Acopyofthefindingsthatwerearesultofthecomplaintprocessandinvestigation; d) Aspecific,detaileddisciplinaryprocedureforanyindividualfoundguiltyofharassment,intimidationor

bullying; e)Allreportsofnotificationtoparentsorguardiansofanystudentinvolvementintheincident(s); f) Areportoftheinterventionstrategiesandremedialactiontheschoolhasundertakentoassistthestudentand

redressthecomplaint. 4) — TheDistrictprovidestheExecutiveDirector’sOfficewithalloftheabove-referencedrecords. 5) — InconcurrencewithORC§3313.666(A)(2), thisexceptioncannotbeused forany isolated incidentsoralleged

incidentsofharassment,intimidationorbullying,norcanthisexceptionbeusedincaseswheretherehasbeennocontemporaneousreportingoftheallegedbullyingharassmentorintimidation.

The student becomes ineligible beginning with the second 50% of the maximum allowable varsity regular season contestsuntildeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeunderthisexception.

4-7-5 Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4-7-2 and 4-7-4, if a student transfers pursuant to state or federal statutes addressing unsafe schools or academically poor performing schools, and the student can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Executive Director’s office that the transfer is for purely academic reasons and not athletic reasons, the Executive

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Director’s office may declare such transferring student eligible upon application to the Executive Director’s office. The student is not eligible until declared eligible by the Executive Director’s office. The OHSAA uses the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE) List of Priority Schools, or other such ODE publication denoting poor performing schools, as of the date the transfer request is received in the Executive Director’s Office, to denote academically poor performing schools.

Note 1: The student shall be entitled to one transfer only under the provisions set forth in this bylaw. In addition, this bylaw shall not be used to establish eligibility at another high school if the student transfers into and then back out of the poor performing school in an attempt to circumvent the transfer bylaw.

Note 2: If a student has used this bylaw to transfer out of a poor performing school at any time during his or her high school career, the student shall not be permitted to transfer back to the same poor performing school and regain transfer eligibility.

4-7-6 Ifastudenttransfersbetweenhighschoolswithinthesamepublicschooldistrict,thestudentmayhavehis/hereligibilityrestoredbytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeprovidedthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

1) — Thestudenthasbeenreassignedtothehighschoolbytheschooldistrictasaresultofredistricting oraspecificchange of programthedetailsofwhichshallbeclearlystipulatedinwritingtotheExecutiveDirector’soffice;and

2) — Thereassignmenttakesplaceafter theconclusionof thepreviousschoolyearandprior tothebeginningofthecurrentschoolyear;andthestudentcommencesenrollmentandattendanceondayoneofthecurrentschoolyear;and

3) — TheDistrictpetitionstheExecutiveDirector’sofficefortherestorationofeligibilityforthestudentnolaterthan15schooldaysafterthebeginningoftheschoolyear;and

4) — Thestudentbecomesineligiblebeginningwiththesecond50%ofthemaximumallowablevarsityregularseasoncontestsuntildeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeunderthisexception.

5) — Thisbylawwillhavenoapplicationforseniorswhoarerequestinga“specificchangeofacademicprogram.” Thistransferoptionisavailableonetimeonlyduringthestudent’shighschoolcareer.Astudentwhosubsequentlywith-

drawsfromtheacademicprogramtowhichheorshehasbeenassignedshallbedeclaredimmediatelyineligibleandmaybesubjecttosanctionsinaccordancewithBylaw11.

Note:StudentswhoaretransferringtotakeadvantageoftheIBDiplomaProgramshallhavejuniorstandingandbefullyenrolledintheIBDiplomaProgram.

4-7-7 Ifastudenttransferstoahighschoollocatedwithinthejurisdictionofanon-publicmultiplehighschoolsystem(e.g.,CatholicConferenceofOhio,OhioAssociationofIndependentSchools,AssociationofChristianSchoolsInternationalorothercategoryasdenotedbytheStateDepartmentofEducation)fromanotherhighschoolwithinthatsamesystem,thestudentmayhavehis/hereligibilityrestoredbytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeprovidedthefollowingconditionshavebeenmet:

1) — ThestudenthasbeenreassignedtothehighschoolbythesuperintendentorotheradministrativeauthorityofthatschoolsystemasaresultofaspecificchangeofacademicprogramthedetailsofwhichshallbeclearlystipulatedinwritingtotheExecutiveDirector’soffice;or a material change in economic circumstances so as to create a hard-ship; or a material change in transportation circumstances so as to create a hardship;and

2) — Thereassignmenttakesplaceafter theconclusionof thepreviousschoolyearandprior tothebeginningofthecurrentschoolyear;andthestudentcommencesenrollmentandattendanceondayoneofthecurrentschoolyear;and

3) — ThesuperintendentorotheradministrativeauthorityofthesystempetitionstheExecutiveDirector’sofficefortherestorationofeligibilityforthestudentverifyingindetailthespecificreasonforthetransferinaccordancewithitem#1andcertifyingthatthetransferisnotforathleticreasonsnolaterthan15schooldaysafterthebeginningoftheschoolyear;and

4) — Thestudentbecomesineligiblebeginningwiththesecond50%ofthemaximumallowablevarsityregularseasoncontestsuntildeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeunderthisexception.

5)—Thisbylawwillhavenoapplicationforseniorswhoarerequestinga“specificchangeofacademicprogram.”Thistransferoptionisavailableonetimeonlyduringthestudent’shighschoolcareer.Astudentwhosubsequentlywith-drawsfromtheacademicprogramtowhichheorshehasbeenassignedshallbedeclaredimmediatelyineligibleandmaybesubjecttosanctionsinaccordancewithBylaw11. Note:StudentswhoaretransferringtotakeadvantageoftheIBDiplomaProgramshallhavejuniorstandingandbefullyenrolledintheIBDiplomaProgram.

Note:Thisexceptionwillhavenoapplicationforseniorswhoarerequestinga“specificchangeofacademicpro-gram.”Section 8. International and Exchange Students

4-8-1 Forthepurposeofthisbylaw,aninternationalstudentisastudentwhoisnotaUnitedStatescitizenandwhoisinOhioreceivingeducationinanOhioschool. Aninternationalstudentswhodoesnothaveaparent(biologicaloradoptive)resid-inginOhioisineligibleforinterscholasticathleticsinOhiounlessthestudentcanmeetoneoftheexceptionsbelow.Thefollowingexceptionsapply.

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Note:StudentswhotransferintoanOhiohighschoolunderthisinternationalexceptionmustadheretotransferbylaw4-7-2.

EXCEPTION1:Theinternationalstudentwhoisaparticipantinarecognizedvisitorexchangeprogrammaybeeligibleforinterscholasticathleticssubjecttotherestrictionsandconditionssetforthbelow:

a. Theinternationalstudentmaybeeligibleforamaximumofoneschoolyearwhichisthefirstyearofen-rollmentattheOhiomemberschool.

b. The international student has not previously participated in any other visitor exchange program in theUnitedStates.IftheinternationalstudenthasparticipatedinanothervisitorexchangeprograminOhiooranyotherstate,theperiodofparticipationinthatotherprogramshallcountagainsttheoneyearmaximumeligibilitysetforthin(a)above.

c TheinternationalstudentisinthiscountrypursuanttoaJ-1Visa.Noothervisatype,passportorotherdocu-mentationshallqualifythestudentforeligibilityunderthisexception.

d. ThereshallbenoevidenceofadirectplacementforathleticpurposesintoaspecificmemberschoolinOhio. e. Nomore than five (5) international students from the same visitor exchange program, in onemember

school,shallbepermittedtobeeligibleduringanyschoolyear. f. Themember school atwhich the international studentwishes tobedeclaredeligible for interscholastic

athleticparticipationmustsubmittheappropriateformstotheExecutiveDirector’soffice,andthestudentandschoolmustcooperatewiththeExecutiveDirector’sofficeindeterminingthatallotherrequirementsforeligibilityhavebeensatisfied.

TheinternationalstudentdescribedinthisException2shallbeineligibleuntildeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirec-tor’sofficeuponsubmissionoftheappropriateform.

EXCEPTION2:Aninternationalstudentmaybedeclaredeligibleforinterscholasticathleticsuponthesubmissionofacourtapproveddocumentcertifyingthestudent’sadoptionbyalegalresidentoftheschooldistrictinwhichthestudentisattending.ThestudentisnoteligibleuntildeclaredeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’sofficeuponsubmissionoftheappropriatecourtdocuments.

EXCEPTION3:Aninternationalstudentmaybedeclaredeligibleinaccordancewithspecificstateorfederalstatutes. Note:StudentswhotransferintoanOhiohighschoolunderthisinternationalexceptionmustadheretotransferbylaw

4-7-2.4-8-2 AnOhiostudentreturningfromaninternationalexchangeprogrammayresumeinterscholasticcompetitioninthesame

Ohiomemberschoolfromwhichthestudentleftprovidedthestudentmeetsallrequirementsrelativetoage,semestersofeligibilityaswellasprecedinggradingperiodscholasticrequirementsuponreturntothememberhighschool.

Theserequirementsmeanthatthestudentshallbeconsideredtohaveusedsemestersofeligibilitywhilestudyingabroad,andshallhavereceivedpassinggradeswhichcounttowardgraduationinaminimumoffiveonecreditcoursesortheequivalentinthefinalgradingperiodoftheexchangeprogram(Bylaw4-4-1).SuchastudentisineligibleuntilruledeligiblebytheExecutiveDirector’soffice.

However,ifastudentintendstoauditallcourseworkwhileengagedintheinternationalexchangeprogramandthusreceivenocreditfortheexperience,theExecutiveDirector’sofficemayconsiderrestorationofacademicand/orsemestereligibilityuponreturntothesamehighschoolunderthefollowingconditions:

1)—Anapplicationforconsideration,whichclearlyarticulatestheacademicprogramthestudentwillfulfill, isfiledwiththeExecutiveDirector’sofficepriortocommencingparticipationintheinternationalexchangeprogram.Theapplicationwillspecifythecourseworktobeattemptedandthefactthatnocreditwillbeearnedfortheexperience.

2)—The studentwill notparticipate in any sport inwhichheor shewishes to retain semestersof eligibilitywhileengagedintheinternationalexchangeprogram.Ifthestudentparticipatesineitheraninterscholasticornon-inter-scholasticprogram,thesemestersduringwhichsuchparticipationtakesplaceshallcounttowardthetotalofeightwhicharepermitted.

3)—Thiswaiverisavailableonlyforstudentswhohavecompletedtheirfirstorsecondyearofhighschool.Section 9. Recruiting

4-9-1 Astudentisconsideredaprospectiveathleteafterenrollingintheseventhgrade,orthegradecorrespondingtothesev-enthgradeforastudentfromaforeigncountry,irrespectiveofwhetherthestudentiscurrentlyenrolledinapublic7th-8thgradeschoollocatedwithinapublicschooldistrictoranon-publicschoolthatispartofanon-publicsystem.Anyattempttorecruitaprospectivestudent-athleteforathleticpurposesshallbestrictlyprohibited.

4-9-2 ForpurposesofthisBylawSection9,theterm“recruit”shallmeantheuseofinfluencebyanypersonconnectedornotconnectedwiththeschooltosecuretheenrollmentofaprospectivestudent-athlete.

TheExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaysuspendtheprivilegeofparticipationininterscholasticathleticsforupto30daysduringthependencyofanyallegedrecruitingviolation.

EXCEPTION1:Itispermissibleforcoachesandotherschoolemployeesofapublicschooldistricttohavecontactwithsev-

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enthandeighthgradestudentscurrentlyenrolledinthatpublicschooldistrict;however,coachesandotherschoolemployeesinamulti-highschoolpublicschooldistrictmayhavecontactwithonlythosestudentsingradessevenandeightwhoare assignedbythatdistricttoattendthathighschoolwherethecoachorschoolemployeeworks.

EXCEPTION2:Itispermissibleforcoachesandotherschoolemployeesofanon-publicschoolsystemtohavecontactwithseventhandeighthgradestudentscurrentlyenrolledinanon-publicschoolofthesametype(CatholicConferenceofOhio,OhioAssociationofIndependentSchools,AssociationofChristianSchoolsInternationalorothercategoryasdenotedbytheStateDepartmentofEducation)providedtheboundariesofthatnon-publicschoolsystemareclearlyde-finedandonfilewiththeOhioHighSchoolAthleticAssociationandthecontactisrestrictedtostudentsenrolledwithinthatdefinedboundary.

Note:FeederschoolboundariesdesignatedforcompetitivebalancepurposesareNOTthesameboundariesasreferencedin thisexception to the recruitingbylaw.Unlessaschoolsystemassignsall thestudentsat theelementaryschool(s)withinaparticularboundarytoaparticularhighschool,andtheseboundariesareonfilewiththeOHSAA,coachesareprohibitedfromcontactingthesestudentsinaccordancewiththisexception.

4-9-3 “Massmarketing,”thoughaformofrecruitingstudents,maybepermittedunderthisbylawbyanyandallmemberhighschoolsprovidedthemassmarketingcomplieswiththefollowingforms:

1)— Mustinvolvetheentirehighschoolprogramandallofitselementsandshallnotbesolelyorprimarilyfortheschool’sathleticprogramorprograms.

2)— Ifamassmailingorelectronictransmissionisutilized,themailing/transmissionmaynotbedirectedtoaspecificindividualorindividualsbyname.

3)— Conductinganopenhouse/informationsessionforallprospectivestudents,whichSHALLbeheldonthecampusofthememberschool,inachurchorotherhouseofworshipthatisasponsorforthatmemberschool,orinoneoftheotherschoolssponsoredbythatsameschoolsystemordistrict,ispermissibleprovidedallelementsoftheschoolprogramarepresented.If,however,aBoardofEducationorothergoverningboardinanon-publicschoolorsystemprohibitstheuseofanyoftheaforementionedfacilitiesforanopenhouse,aschoolmaybepermittedtoholdanopenhouseatanalternativesiteprovided:

a)thefacilityisopenandaccessibletothegeneralpublic;and b)thefacilityisnotaprivateclub,privateroomwithinapublicfacilityoraprivatehome;and c)theschoolsubmitsarequestforawaivertousethisalternativesiteatleast30dayspriortotheopenhouse. d)noopenhouseorinformationsessionmaybeheldinaprivatehome. 4)— Invitingprospectivestudenttocampusforactivitiesthatarerelatedtoallaspectsoftheschool’seducationaloffer-

ingsandnotsolelyforathleticpurposesispermissibleprovidedtheprohibitioninitem#2isnotviolated. 5)— Usingtheschoolwebsiteorotherformsofmediasuchasbillboards,newspaperadvertisements,etc.toadvertiseall

aspectsoftheschool’seducationalofferingsandnotsolelyathleticsinformationispermissible. 6)— Providingathleticcampbrochuresthatadvertiseathleticcampsavailabletoageneralpopulationispermissibleas

longasnodirectmailingtospecificindividualsisconducted.(See#2) 7)— Theonlytimeinwhichitispermissibletoinvitestudentsand/ortheirparentstoahighschoolcontestoranother

athleticrelatedeventsuchasabanquetorrecognitionceremonyiswhentheinvitationisextendedtoanentiregrouporteam,suchaschool’s7thor8thgradeteamoranon-interscholasticgroupsuchasaC.Y.O.programinaspecificsport,ANDtheparticipationismutuallyagreeduponbytheadministrationofbothschools/organizations.

Thisinvitationtoattendahighschoolcontestorathleticrelatedeventshallnotincluderunningoutontothecontestvenuewiththeteamorstandingonthesidelinesandshallnotincludelockerroomvisits,pre-contestmealswiththehighschoolteamand/oranyotherinteractionwiththeteampriortoorafterthecontest.

4-9-4 Formsofrecruitingthatareprohibitedbythisbylawincludebutarenotlimitedto: 1)—Usingdirectmailingsorelectroniccommunicationtosendinformationtoaspecificindividualorindividualsby

name. 2)—Meetingswith,functionsforormarketingtoaselectathleticgrouporindividual/individuals,i.e.,eighthgradeteam

orindividualsportsparticipantforthepurposeofinfluencingenrollmentatthehighschool. 3)—Anycoachorgroupofcoacheshavinganycontactwithprospectivestudent-athletes,exceptaspermittedinBylaw

4-9-3,whoarenotpresentlyenrolledintheschool’seducationalprogram,ortheirparents,priortowrittenaccep-tancenotification. Note:ForthepurposesofthissectionofBylaw4,thedescriptionof“coaches”asstatedinBylaw6-1-1and6-1-2shallbeapplicable.Furthermore,themerefactthatacoachmayalsohaveanotherjobtitlewithhis/heremployerdoesnotrelievethatindividualfromthisprohibition.

4)—Interscholasticcoachesansweringathleticquestionsfromprospectivestudent-athletesand/ortheirparentsandde-scribingtheirprogramsexceptwithintheschoolinaccordancewithapprovedadministrativepoliciesandprocedures(i.e.viaadmissionsoffices)andconsistentwiththeprovisionssetforthinBylaw4-9-3.

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Note:Whenanadmissionsofficerisalsoamemberofacoachingstaff,thatadmissionsofficershallhavenocontactwithprospectiveenrolleesexceptasspecifiedwithinthesebylawsaspermissibleforcoachingstaffmembers.

5)—Memberschoolsdistributingathleticpublicationsoradvertisingsolelyforathletics.Allathleticmaterialsmustbeac-companiedbygeneralschoolinformationpriortostudentregistration.

6)—Providingfavorsorinducements,suchasT-shirtsorcaps,toprospectivestudent-athletesortheirparents. a)EXCEPTION:Asmalltoken,suchasa“goodiebag”containinganitemoritems,thevalueofwhichcan-

notexceed$25andwhichcannotberelatedtotheschool’sathleticprogram,maybegiventoprospectivestudentswho“shadow”orvisitamemberschoolincontemplationofenrollment.

7)—Providingfinancialaidorscholarshipstoastudent-athleteonthebasisofathleticability. 8)—Ifacoachleavesaschooltopursueacoachingopportunityatanotherschool, thecoachshallrefrainfromany

communicationwithanystudentsathisorherformerschool.Furtherasitrelatestoanystudentwhomighttrans-fertoorenrollattheschoolwherethecoachisnowapprovedasamemberofthecoachingstaff,saidtransferorenrollmentshallcreatearebuttablepresumptionofrecruitingandrenderthestudentineligibleforoneyearfromthedateofenrollmentunlesstherecruitingcanberebutted.Oncethecoachhasbeenemployedbyorappointedtohis/hernewschoolforonecalendaryearfromthedateofemployment/approval,thecoachisstillprohibitedfromcommunicationwithanystudentsathis/herformerschool,butthereisnolongeranyobligationforthenewschooltorebutthepresumptionofrecruitingunlessspecificallyrequestedtodosobytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice.

4-9-5 Priortoenrollment,astudent-athletemayvisitapublicornon-publicschoolincontemplationofenrollment,aslongasthatcontemplatedenrollmentisconsistentwithBoardofEducationorsimilargoverningboardpolicyformallyadoptedbythatschooldistrictandarrangementsforthevisitaremadethroughtheprincipaland/orschooladministratordesignat-edbytheBoardofEducationorsimilargoverningboard.

4-9-6 Allquestionsrelatingtoenrollment,attendanceortheathleticprogramshallbehandledthroughtheschooladministra-tionortheadmissionsoffice.Ifacoachiscontactedbyaparentoranotherindividualwhoisadvocatingforastudent,thecoachisobligatedtoimmediatelydisclosethiscontacttoaschooladministratorandtoceaseallcontactwiththeprospec-tivestudentand/orparentsuntilacceptanceand/orenrollmentintotheschoolwherethecoachisapprovedtowork.

4-9-7 Anyviolationoftherecruitingprohibitionsassetforthinthisbylawshallcausetherecruitedstudent-athletetobeineligi-bleuponenrollment.IfitisdeterminedbytheExecutiveDirector’sOfficethatastudent-athletewasrecruitedinviolationoftheseprohibitions,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficemaydenythestudent-athletefromparticipation(whichmayincludeparticipationintheOHSAAtournament)inthesportorsportsforwhichthestudent-athletewasrecruited.Furthermore,theschoolintowhichtherecruitedstudent-athleteenrollsortheschooltherecruitingattemptswereintendedtobenefitshallbesubjecttosanctionsassetforthinBylaw11.Ifacoachhasbeenfoundtohaveviolatedtheserecruitingpro-hibitionsbytheExecutiveDirector’sOffice,andisemployed/approvedtocoachintheensuingschoolyearbyanothermemberschoolinthesamesportinwhichtheviolationsoccurred,theschoolwherethecoachisemployed/approvedtocoachshallbeineligibleforOHSAAtournamentcompetitioninthatsportforaminimumofoneyear.Section 10. Amateur

4-10-1 Astudentwhorepresentsaschoolinaninterscholasticsportshallbeanamateurinthatsport.Anamateurathleteisonewhoparticipatesintheactivitiesofhis/hersportforthepurposeofderivingthephysical,mentalandsocialbenefitsorga-nizedsportscompetitionhastoofferandnotforanypresentorfuturepecuniaryorcommercialgains.Sincethestudentisconsideredanintegralmemberofthestudentbody,aclearlineofdistinctionbetweeneducationallybasedathleticsandprofessionalsportsmustexistandbemaintainedatalltimes.Itshallbethesharedresponsibilityofschoolpersonnel,theathletesandtheirparentstomaintainthisclearlineofdistinction.

4-10-2 Anathleteforfeitsamateurstatus,andthusinterscholasticathleticeligibility,ifanyofthefollowingstandardsofama-teurismareviolated:

a)Competingformoneyorotherremuneration.Allowabletravel,mealsandlodgingexpensesmaybeacceptedpro-videdthattheseexpensesarenotconditionedontheindividual’sorteam’splacefinishorperformanceorgivenonanincentivebasisandsuchexpensesareprovidedtoallparticipantsinthecompetition.EXCEPTION:Ifastudent,whoiscompetingintheamateurdivisionwithinacompetitionwhereprizemoneyisavailable,signsaRequestforRetentionofAmateurStatuswrittendeclarationpriortothecompetitioninwhichthestudentagreesthatheorshewillnotacceptanyprizemoney,thestudentmayacceptallowabletravel,mealsandlodgingexpensesprovidedthattheseexpensesarenotcontingentuponthestudent’sindividualorateam’sfinishorperformanceorgivenasanin-centivetoachieveaspecificgoalorperformance.ReceiptofexpensesreceivedbytheathleteshallbereportedtotheOHSAAsoastodeterminewhetherornottheexpensesareinexcessofthosereasonableamountsfortravel,mealsandlodging.Thewrittendeclarationformcanbefoundhere:http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/Bylaw4-10-2Reques-tRetentionofAmateurStatus.pdf

b)Capitalizingontheathlete’sfamebyreceivingmoney,merchandiseorservicesofvalue.Anathlete“capitalizes”onhis/her“athleticfame”byacceptingmoney,merchandiseorservicesofvaluebasedinwholeorinpartuponthenotorietytheathletereceivedthroughhis/herathleticskillsandachievements.Thisincludesusingtheathlete’sskill,directlyorindirectly,forpayinanyforminthatsport.“Pay”includes,butisnotlimitedto,anydirectorindirectremuneration,gratuityorothereconomicbenefitineitherthepresentorfuture,oranydivisionorsplitofsurplus(bonuses,games’receipts,etc.).Scholarshipstoinstitutionsofhighereducationarespecificallyexempted;

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c)Signingacontractormakingacommitmentofanykindtoplayprofessionalathletics,regardlessofitslegalenforce-abilityoranypaymentreceived.Thisprohibitssigningacontractduringtheinterscholasticathleticsseasonthatisdatedafterthecompletionoftheathlete’sinterscholasticathleticeligibility;

d)Receiving,directlyorindirectly,asalary,reimbursementofexpenses,merchandiseorservicesoranyotherformoffinancialassistanceorbenefitsfromaprofessionalsportsorganizationbaseduponathleticsskillsorparticipation.

EXCEPTION:Anathletemayreceivereimbursementofexpensesasperitem(a)foraprofessionaltryout; e)Competingwithanyprofessionalathleticsteam,evenifnopayorremunerationforexpenseswasreceived;or f)Enteringintoanagreementwithasportsormarketingagent(O.R.C.§§4771.01etseq.).4-10-3 Thefollowingactivitiesdonotjeopardizeamateurstatus: a)Acceptingafeeforinstructing,supervisingorofficiatinginanorganizedyouthsportsprogramorrecreation,play-

groundorcampactivities; b)Receivingschool-sponsoredmembershiporparticipationfeesinyouthservingagencies,athleticclubs,community

recreationcenters,instructionalprogramsorcamps,etc.providedsuchfeesarepaiddirectlytotheagency; c)Receivinganaward,playingequipmentorprizeofmonetaryvaluewhichdoesnotexceedtheawardsamountautho-

rizedbytheAssociation; d)Receivingallnon-monetarybenefitsandawardsprovidedtomembersofanOlympicteambeyondactualandnec-

essaryexpenses,includingentertainment,equipment,clothing,longdistancetelephoneservice,Internetaccess,andanyotheritemorserviceforwhichitcanbedemonstratedthatthesamebenefitisavailabletoallmembersofthenation’sOlympicteamorthespecificsportOlympicteaminquestion;

e)AcceptingfundsthatareadministeredbytheUnitedStatesOlympicCommitteepursuanttoitsOperationGoldPro-gram;or

f)Participatinginmemberschool,charitableoreducationalpromotionsorfund-raisingactivitiesthatinvolvetheuseofathleticabilitybystudent-athletestoobtainfunds(e.g.,swim-a-thons,lift-a-thons,shoot-a-thons)fromdonors,providedthestudent-athletesreceivenocompensationorprizesfortheirparticipation.

g)Acceptingscholarshipfundsthatareadministeredbyanationalgoverningbody,e.g.theUnitedStatesBowlingCon-gress’ScholarshipProgram,providedsuchfundsarepaiddirectlytoapostsecondaryinstitutionandthefundsarenotavailableuntilafterthestudenthasgraduatedfromhighschool.

4-10-4 Ahighschoolstudentwholosesamateurstatus/athleticeligibilitymayapplytotheAssociationforreinstatementintheinter-scholasticprogram.SuchappealsshallbehandledbytheExecutiveDirectorinaccordancewiththebylaws.Ifastudent-athleteinonesportviolatesaprovisionoftheamateurbylawasdetailedabove,thestudent-athletemayrepresentthememberschoolinadifferentsport.

BYLAW 5 — AWARDSSection 1. Awards, Gifts and Prizes — Approved

5-1-1 Awards,giftsandprizesdirectlyresultingfromparticipationinanysportinwhichthestudentisaninterscholasticathletemaybeacceptedbyastudentfromanysourceprovidedtheawarddoesnotexceedinvalue$400peraward.SeeBylaw4-10-2afortheprohibitiononacceptingcashorotherremuneration.

5-1-2 Collegescholarshipsmaybeacceptedprovidedtheamountofthescholarshipispaidforcollegeexpenses.Section 2. — Awards — Violations

5-2-1 Thepenaltyforviolationforanymemberofaschoolsquad,exceptasenior,shallbeineligibilityinthatsportfortheensuingseason.

5-2-2 Thepenaltyforviolationforaseniorshallbeineligibilityforallinterscholasticathleticstheremainderoftheschoolyear.5-2-3 TheschoolitselfshallbeheldaccountabletotheAssociationforanyviolationofthisbylaw,byindividualsorgroups

before,at,oraftergraduation.

BYLAW 6 — COACHESSection 1. Requirements for Coaching

6-1-1 Schooladministratorsareprimarilyresponsibleforthesupervisionofcoachespriorto,duringandafterallinterscholasticcontestsexceptasspecificallyreferencedinnationalplayingrulesthatareapplicableduringaninterscholasticcontestandenforcedbycontestofficialsforproscribedconductonly.

6-1-2 Allcoaches,paidandvolunteer,shallmeetthecriteriaestablishedbytheStateBoardofEducation.Formoreinformation,visittheCoachesCornerontheOHSAAwebsite(OHSAA.org).

Note:SeeSportsRegulation4forpenaltiesfornon-compliancewiththisBylawandprocedurestoadheretoforverifica-tionofsuch.

6-1-3 AllcoachesshallbeapprovedbytheBoardofEducationorsimilargoverningboardinnon-publicschools.

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6-1-4 Thedesignatedheadcoachandallassistantcoaches(paidandunpaid)foreachsportteamorindividualsportforwhichamemberschoolprovidessponsorshipshall,inadditiontoteachingtheskillsandstrategiesoftheirsport,befortheirathletesaproperrolemodelforcitizenship,ethics,integrityandsportingconduct.Section 2. Salary of Coaches

6-2-1 TheBoardofEducationorothersimilargoverningboardshallhaveexclusivejurisdictiononmattersofsalary,stipendorcompensationofitscoaches.

BYLAW 7 — CONTRACTSSection 1. Contracts for Athletic Contests

7-1-1 Regularseasoncontestsbetweentwoormorememberschoolsshouldbememorializedinwritingandsignedbyrepre-sentativesauthorizedbythecompetingmemberschools.NotalldisputesinvolvingthecontractsreferencedhereinthatcanberesolvedbetweenthememberschoolsthemselvesshallbereferredtotheExecutiveDirector’sofficeforbindingresolution.

Note:Asitpertainstothisbylaw,electronicsignaturesareacceptable.7-1-2 Whenschoolscometogethertoformaleagueorconferenceandsaidleagueorconferencepublishesaleagueorcon-

ferencescheduleofcontestsforitsmemberschools,theleagueorconferencescheduleshallserveasabindingcontractbetweenthememberschoolsofthatleagueorconferenceinlieuofthesinglegamecontractreferencedinBylaw7-1-1.

7-1-3 AllmemberschoolsofaleagueorconferenceshalladoptaConstitutionandBylawsofsaidleagueorconferencewhichConstitutionandBylawsshallserve,amongotherpurposes,asabindingcontractbetweeneachofthememberschoolsofsaidleagueorconference.

7-1-4 Thevoidingofacontractcanonlybedoneuponthemutualconsentofthecontractingschools.Thedecisionofaschooltochangeleagueorconferenceaffiliationdoesnotvoiditspreviouscontractobligationswiththeleagueorconferenceanditsmemberschools.Furthermore,allleagueorconferencecontractobligationsshalltakeprecedenceoveranycontractsexe-cutedlaterintime.

7-1-5 Thesuspensionorterminationofaschool’smembershipintheOHSAAshallrenderallcontractsvoidablebyschoolswhosemembershipremainsingoodstandingwiththeOHSAA.

7-1-6 WhenanewschooldistrictiscreatedunderSections3311.26and3311.37oftheOhioRevisedCode,allcontractsforcontestsandofficialsmadebytheformerschooldistrictsaredeclarednullandvoidandnewcontractsforcontestsandofficialsshouldbenegotiatedbythenewschooldistrict.

7-1-7 Ifgamecontractscannotbefulfilledbyreasonofweather,strike,forcemajeureorsimilarsuchcircumstances,thecon-tractingschoolmay:

a)Voidthecontractbymutualconsentoftheschoolsinvolved,or b)Attempttoreschedulethecontestataconvenienttimeanddatetoallschools.Ifthecontestinquestionisavarsity

footballcontest,iftheschoolsareunabletomutuallyagreetorescheduleddatetotakeplacewithin72hoursofthecancelledcontest,thecontractshallbeconsiderednullandvoid.

c)ReferthemattertotheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeforresolution.7-1-8 Ifaschoolwhichhasenteredintoagamecontractcancelsorattemptstocancelagamecontractwithouttheconsentof

theotherschool,orotherwisebreachesthetermsofthegamecontract,theschoolsshall: a)Attempttoresolvetheircontractdisputebyandbetweenthemselves;or b)Thenon-breachingschoolmayinvoketheliquidateddamagesclauseassetforthinitsgamecontract;or c)Determinethefinanciallosstothenon-breachingschoolandmakeafinancialsettlement;or d)ReferthemattertotheExecutiveDirector’sOfficeforbindingresolution.Inarrivingatabindingfinancialresolu-

tion,theExecutiveDirector’sOfficeshallconsiderthefinancialrecords(attendance,gatereceipts,concessionsales,others)ofpastgamespreviouslyplayedtoascertaindamagestothenon-breachingschool.

Inaddition to the foregoingremedies, theExecutiveDirector’sOffice isauthorized tosanction thebreachingschoolwithafullarrayofsanctionsassetforthinBylaw11including,butnotlimitedto,denialofparticipationintheOHSAAtournamentinthesportinwhichthecontractdisputedoccurred.Section2.ContractswithOfficials

7-2-1 ThecontractbetweentheschoolandthecontestofficialshouldbeexecutedonanOHSAAContractforOfficialsorsim-ilarformandsignedforspecificdatesbytheofficialandthehomeschooladministratororacertifiedOHSAAofficialsassignerauthorizedbythehomeschool.

7-2-2 Theofficial’scontractmaybevoidedorterminatedbymutualagreementoftheofficialandthehomeschooladminis-tratororthecertifiedOHSAAofficialsassignerauthorizedbythehomeschoolprovidedsuchvoidingorterminatingisexecutedinwriting.

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BYLAW 8 — OFFICIALSSection1.OfficialsRequired

8-1-1 OHSAAofficialsshallbeusedincertainsportsplayedinOhio.Thelistofsportsandofficiatingrequirementswillbefoundin the Handbook for Officialsandinthespecificsportsregulationsfoundinthishandbook.

8-1-2 Schoolsthatviolatetheprovisionsofthissectionshallbefinedamaximumof$100.00payabletotheOHSAAforeachoffenseandwillnotbeacceptedasamemberschoolthefollowingyearunlessthefineispaid.Section2.SelectionofOfficialsforRegularSeasonContests

8-2-1 Theprincipaloftheschool,theofficialdesigneeoracertifiedassignershallattendpersonallytotheselectionofofficials.Greatcareshouldbeexercisedintheselectionofofficials,wellinadvanceofthecontestandshallbemutuallyagreeduponbytheschoolsinvolved.

8-2-2 Whenthecontestbeginseachschoolwaivesallofitsrightssofarasobjectingtotheofficials.Section3.DecisionsbyOfficials

8-3-1 Protestsarisingfromthedecisionsandinterpretationsofthecontestplayingrulesbyofficialswillnotbeconsidered,andthosedecisionsshallbefinal.TheExecutiveDirector’sofficedoesnothavetheauthorityorjurisdictiontoordercontestsreplayed,ortooverturndecisionsofcontestofficialsregardingthedecisionsandinterpretationsofcontestplayingrules.Thedecisionsandinterpretationsoftherulesbythecontestofficialsarefinal.

Note:TheExecutiveDirector’sOfficemayconsidertheuseofanyreliable,probativeandsubstantialevidencetocorrectthemisidentificationofaparticipantwhowasejectedforthesecondtimewhensuchejectionresultsinineli-gibility for the remainder of the sports season.

8-3-2 Therecordoftheofficialscorekeeperattheconclusionofthecontestisfinalunlessanerrorisdiscovered.Sucherrorshallbecorrectedascoveredbyspecificcontestrules.

8-3-3 AnyteamleavingthecontestareabeforetheconclusionofthecontestbecauseofdissatisfactionwiththeofficiatingwillrendertheschoolliabletodisciplinaryactionbytheAssociation.Section4.HandbookforOfficialsandDirectory

8-4-1 TheBoardofDirectors,uponrecommendationoftheExecutiveDirector’soffice,shallapproveonanannualbasisaHand-book for Officialsthatshalloutlinetheofficiatingcodeofethics,officials/officiatingrequirements,officiatingpermitproce-dures,andsuchothermattersasdeemednecessaryandappropriatebytheBoardofDirectors.ThisHandbook for Officials,alongwithaDirectory of Officials,shallbepublishedforannualdistributiontoallmemberschoolsandregisteredofficials.Section 5. Rules Examination

8-5-1 ThedatesforapplicationsandexaminationsontherulesofthevarioussportstobecomeanofficialwillbedeterminedandpublishedbytheExecutiveDirector’soffice.Section 6. Rules Meeting Requirements

8-6-1 Officialsarerequiredtoattendlocalrulesdiscussionmeetingsandstaterulesinterpretationmeetingsasscheduled.SpecificrequirementsforeachsportarelistedintheHandbook for Officials.OfficialswhohaveallowedtheirOHSAApermittolapseandthosenotattendingthedesignatedmeetingsmaybereinstatedasoutlinedintheHandbook for Officials.Section7.OfficialsUniforms

8-7-1 TheofficialuniformforofficialsininterscholasticsportsshallbeasspecifiedintheofficialsmanualinthatsportorasadoptedbytheBoardofDirectorsinthatsportandspecifiedintheHandbook for Officials.

BYLAW 9 — CONTESTS REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTIONSection 1. Contests with Non-Member Schools and Non-Interscholastic Teams

9-1-1 MembersoftheAssociationshallobserveallOhioeligibilitystandards,generalandsport-specificsportsregulationsandplayingrulesincontestswithnon-memberandnon-interscholasticteamswhilecompetinginOhio.Section 2. Contests with Out-Of-State Schools

9-2-1 Schoolsmay traveloutof state to compete in contests in statesorprovinces inCanada that are contiguous toOhioregardlessofdistancetotravel.ThestatesincludeIndiana,Kentucky,Michigan,PennsylvaniaandWestVirginia.TheprovinceincludesOntario.Additionally,schoolsmaytraveloutofstateonetimepersportperinterscholasticseasontocompeteincontestsinanylocationthatisnotcontiguoustoOhio.Penaltyforviolation:TheschoolshallbeineligiblefortheOHSAApostseasontournamentinthesportinwhichtheout-of-statetravelwasinvolvedandcouldbesubjecttoadditionalpenaltiesasreferencedinBylaw11.

9-2-2 School-sponsoredteamsandindividualsmaynottraveloutofstateforpracticepurposes. EXCEPTION1:Iftheschool’snormalpracticeand/orcompetitivefacilityislocatedoutofstate,theschoolshallbe

permittedtopractice/competeatthatfacility.

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Note:Inallothercases,theExecutiveDirectormaygrantpermissiontopracticeoutofstateinrareorlimitedcircum-stances.

TheprincipalshallrequestthispermissionfromtheExecutiveDirector’sofficeinwriting. EXCEPTION2:Iftheschoolistravelingoutsidetheboundariesofthestates/ProvincecontiguoustoOhiofortheone-

timeperseasoncompetitionopportunity,theschoolsquadmayalsopracticeduringthatjourney.Thisprovisionismadeprovidedthereisnolossofschooltimeandprovidedthesquadisengagedinallowablecompetitionasstipulatedinthatsport’sregulations.

9-2-3 SchoolsmustsecuresanctionthroughtheNationalFederationofStateHighSchoolAssociationsofcompetitionbyamemberschoolinanyofthefollowingcontests:

(a) Anyinterstatetournamentormeetinwhichfourormoreschoolsparticipate; (b) Anyinterstatecompetitionwhichinvolvesschoolsfromthreeormorestatehighschoolassociations. In(a)and(b)above,nosanctionisrequiredfromtheNationalFederationifallcompetingschoolsarefromstateswhich

borderthehoststate.However,schoolsmustsecurefromeachstateassociationsanctionforsuchevents.9-2-4 InallcontestscompetedoutsideOhio,eachparticipatingschoolshallfollowallOhioeligibilitystandards,generaland

sport-specificsportsregulationsaswellas the playingrules(NFHSornationalgoverningbody)asadoptedbythehoststateAssociation.

BYLAW 10 — PROTESTS AND FORFEITURESSection 1. Protests Relative to Eligibility

10-1-1 Concernsrelativetotheeligibilityofaplayeronacompetingteamshallbepresented,whendiscovered,totheprincipalforinvestigation.AwrittenrequestforinvestigationofeligibilitymaybefiledwiththeExecutiveDirectorinanysport.Section 2. Forfeitures

10-2-1 Allathleticcontestsinwhichineligibleplayershaveparticipatedshallbeforfeited.Allforfeituresshallbereportedim-mediatelyinwritingtotheOHSAAandallopponents.Pleasefollowtheguidanceathttp://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/GuidelinesForReportingUseOfIneligibleStudent.pdftofileareport.

EXCEPTION:Ifastudentparticipatesinanathleticcontestandhisorhereligibilityhasbeenestablishedbyfalsifiedinformation,thestudentshallbedeclaredineligible(seeBylaw4-1-2),andforfeitureofthecontestmayberequired.

10-2-2 Forfeituresofcontestscannotbewaivedbymutualagreement.10-2-3 IfanineligiblestudentparticipatesinanOHSAA-sponsoredtournamentinateamsport(soccer,fieldhockey,football,

icehockey,lacrosse,volleyball,basketball,baseballorsoftball),theteamshallbedisqualifiedfromthetournamentandthelastteamdefeated,orthenexthighestrankingteam,maytakeitsplaceinthetournament.

10-2-4 AmemberofaneliminatedteammayparticipateinOHSAAindividualtournamentcompetition,ifqualified.10-2-5 IfanineligiblestudentparticipatesinaregularseasonoranOHSAA-sponsoredtournamentcontestinanindividualsport

(bowling,golf,crosscountry,gymnastics,tennis,swimminganddiving,trackandfieldorwrestling)thecontestisforfeitedandallpoints,records,awardsandqualifyingpositionswonbytheineligiblestudentshallbeforfeited.However,alleligible participantsshallkeeptheirpoints,records,awardsandqualifyingpositions.Section 3. Additional Penalties

10-3-1 Additionalpenaltiesmaybeassessedtotheoffendingplayer,coachand/orschoolbytheExecutiveDirector.

BYLAW 11 — PENALTIES11-1-1 PenaltiesforviolationoftheOHSAAConstitution,BylawsandRegulationsshallbeimposedbytheExecutiveDirector

oranotheradministrativestaffmemberdesignatedbytheExecutiveDirector.11-1-2 Penalties include: suspension ofmembership, suspension of eligibility, forfeiture of games, forfeiture of champion-

shiprights,probation,reclamationofexpensesfortheconductofinvestigationsandallotherfees/expensesassociatedtherewith,publiccensure,denialofparticipationinpostseasontournaments(applicabletoadministrators,coachesandstudent-athletes),finesnottoexceed$10,000peroccurrenceorsuchotherpenaltiesastheExecutiveDirector’sOfficedeemsappropriate.

11-1-3 Ifpropertyisdamagedatatournamentsitebycompetingschoolteams,studentbodyorspectators,theschoolfromwhichthestudentsand/orspectatorscomeshallbeliableandpaythecostofrepairorreplacement.

11-1-4 IfalawsuitiscommencedagainsttheOHSAAseekingtoenjointheOHSAAfromenforcinganyorallofitsConstitution,bylaws,sportsregulations,decisionsoftheOHSAA,andanOrderfromaCourtofproperjurisdictionissubsequentlyeithervoluntarilyvacated,orstayed,orreversedorotherwisedeterminedbytheCourtsthattheequitablereliefsoughtisnotorwasnotjustified,theExecutiveDirectormayimposeanyoneormoreofthefollowingintheinterestofrestitutionandfairnesstoothermemberschool’sathletes:

a)Requirethatindividualorteamrecordsandperformancesachievedduringsuchparticipationbevacatedorstricken. b)Requirethatteamvictoriesbeforfeitedtoopponent.

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c)RequirethatteamorindividualawardsearnedduringsuchparticipationbereturnedtotheAssociation. d)Requirethereturnofanyfinancialreceiptsrealizedfromtournamentparticipation. e)ImposeamonetarypenaltycommensuratewiththeexpensetotheOHSAAforthelitigation.

BYLAW 12 — SUSPENDED SCHOOLS12-1-1 WhenaschoolhasbeensuspendedasamemberoftheAssociationforviolationoftheconstitution,bylawsorregulations

oftheAssociation,allcontractswithothermemberschoolsarenullandvoid.12-1-2 MemberschoolsoftheAssociationshallnotcompetewithschoolswhichareundersuspensionbytheAssociation.

BYLAW 13 — PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE13-1-1 Robert’sRulesofOrdershallgovernproceduresineachsituationnotcoveredbytheConstitutionandBylaws.

BYLAWS...Tournament Assignment – Team Sports of Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball...

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