Just wondering….

[GoCats18]

Does anyone that has ever coached high school basketball or knows the MHSA rules know if a Class AA high school basketball program can allow a home school kid that is only in 8th grade to practice with its team during the season?

[Cataholic]

This is the first year that 8th graders can play at the AA level. I would assume that the previous rules for home school kids would apply the same as in the past, just with 8th graders included.

[LTown Cat]

Both the 8th grade rule and the home school rule are up to rules established by individual school districts I believe.

[GoCats18]

Where do you see this rule? I have looked everywhere. Also, this doesn’t make sense as there are no AA programs that have 8th graders in their school. I understand the private schools and maybe like class C, but this is crazy if this is allowed in AA.

[WaMTBobcat]

The homeschool eligible rule came into effect last year and this year is the first year that 8th graders are allowed to play at any level, in any sports other than football and wrestling, without petition. It’s up to the school to form their own policy regarding 8th grade participation. However, all eligibility/transfer rules apply.

Last January after the 8th grade rule was passed, it’s my understanding that AA administrators and AD’s met and came to the agreement that they would “stick together” in not allowing 8th grade participation at the AA level. However, I know of at least 1 AA school that has since decided to allow 8th graders to participate and have 8th graders participating.

With regard to a homeschool student practicing, I don’t believe under the current rules that they would be eligible to practice if they are not eligible to compete at that school by policy. I would reach out to MHSA directly to clarify that however.

[GoCats18]

The homeschool eligible rule came into effect last year and this year is the first year that 8th graders are allowed to play at any level, in any sports other than football and wrestling, without petition. It’s up to the school to form their own policy regarding 8th grade participation. However, all eligibility/transfer rules apply.

Last January after the 8th grade rule was passed, it’s my understanding that AA administrators and AD’s met and came to the agreement that they would “stick together” in not allowing 8th grade participation at the AA level. However, I know of at least 1 AA school that has since decided to allow 8th graders to participate and have 8th graders participating.

With regard to a homeschool student practicing, I don’t believe under the current rules that they would be eligible to practice if they are not eligible to compete at that school by policy. I would reach out to MHSA directly to clarify that however.

Thanks for the information.

[coloradocat]

Maybe I missed something but do some high schools start at 8th grade now? If not, why would they be allowed to play on a high school team?

[catatac]

Maybe I missed something but do some high schools start at 8th grade now? If not, why would they be allowed to play on a high school team?

If they are physically mature enough and good enough to beat out older players and give the team a better chance to win, why not?

[RickRund]

Maybe I missed something but do some high schools start at 8th grade now? If not, why would they be allowed to play on a high school team?

If they are physically mature enough and good enough to beat out older players and give the team a better chance to win, why not?

Do Jr High and Sr High still exist? Been out for a LONG time.

[LTown Cat]

The homeschool eligible rule came into effect last year and this year is the first year that 8th graders are allowed to play at any level, in any sports other than football and wrestling, without petition. It’s up to the school to form their own policy regarding 8th grade participation. However, all eligibility/transfer rules apply.

Last January after the 8th grade rule was passed, it’s my understanding that AA administrators and AD’s met and came to the agreement that they would “stick together” in not allowing 8th grade participation at the AA level. However, I know of at least 1 AA school that has since decided to allow 8th graders to participate and have 8th graders participating.

With regard to a homeschool student practicing, I don’t believe under the current rules that they would be eligible to practice if they are not eligible to compete at that school by policy. I would reach out to MHSA directly to clarify that however.

The home school eligibility rule was bound to happen. It was a matter of time before a home school kids' family sued due to them paying the same taxes in the district as kids in public school.

Now that the can has been opened with 8th graders it's also a matter of time before they are allowed in every district. All it will take is one lawsuit.

[Cataholic]

Maybe I missed something but do some high schools start at 8th grade now? If not, why would they be allowed to play on a high school team?

Participation in various high school sports is down. You have some AA schools barely able to field full freshman teams. There are a multitude of factors, but one is more sports for kids to choose from. For example, there is girls wrestling, girls flag football, soccer, softball, dance team and now baseball. Kids are spread over more sports bringing participation numbers done. Travel sports have also led tk many kids not getting the same development opportunities in younger grades and they fall behind which eventually leads to them quitting the sport before even getting to high school.

I do know that some schools won’t allow an 8th grader to play if it eliminates an opportunity for an upperclassman to participate.

[bcats]

The homeschool eligible rule came into effect last year and this year is the first year that 8th graders are allowed to play at any level, in any sports other than football and wrestling, without petition. It’s up to the school to form their own policy regarding 8th grade participation. However, all eligibility/transfer rules apply.

Last January after the 8th grade rule was passed, it’s my understanding that AA administrators and AD’s met and came to the agreement that they would “stick together” in not allowing 8th grade participation at the AA level. However, I know of at least 1 AA school that has since decided to allow 8th graders to participate and have 8th graders participating.

With regard to a homeschool student practicing, I don’t believe under the current rules that they would be eligible to practice if they are not eligible to compete at that school by policy. I would reach out to MHSA directly to clarify that however.

Thanks for the information.

8th graders are allowed in Wrestling as well. Football is the only sport that is restricting 8th grade participation.