Question regarding VHSL eligibility

**cvcgrad** · June 1st, 2007, 03:48 PM

I remember reading on this forum in the past about a VHSL rule that stipulates that a student cannot compete in sports if they reach a certain age by a certain date, and I found the following policy in the VHSL handbook:

28-5-1 AGE RULE-The student shall not have reached the age of 19 on or before the first day of August of the school year in which he/she wishes to compete.

The policy seems pretty straight forward: if you turn 19 before August 1, you can't compete that year.

So, is the rule actually enforced? I ask because I've heard comments made in the past that some of the LPD schools have had "hold backs" who were already 19 when they started their senior year. And, if in fact, the rule is enforced, there are juniors who competed this year who would not be eligible next year.

Do schools have to provide the VHSL with data including birthdates on the athletes on their team rosters?

**imported_Counts** · June 1st, 2007, 03:59 PM

Yep this rule is enforced (I rember Appy was petichining for a waver for one of there kids to that rule back several years ago due to something or other)

Now that being said there have been several kids that turn 19 After Aug 1st but before Dec that play in there sport at the age of 19 (which is fine)

Who are some of the Jrs that will not be able to play next season?

**cvcgrad** · June 1st, 2007, 04:24 PM

My question came from a conversation I had a couple weeks ago with someone who follows sports pretty close at his school and commented that many of the players (sophomores) they had this year were hold backs, and that they were expecting to have a really good year in 2009 when these kids became seniors. So, I started wondering about the holdbacks.

Without specifically mentioning players here, I know of at least three juniors who played football this past year but wouldn't be eligible next year if the age rule is enforced, including one who had a very good year in the LPD.

Is this rule new or has it always been in place?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Counts</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yep this rule is enforced (I rember Appy was petichining for a waver for one of there kids to that rule back several years ago due to something or other)

Now that being said there have been several kids that turn 19 After Aug 1st but before Dec that play in there sport at the age of 19 (which is fine)

Who are some of the Jrs that will not be able to play next season? </div></div>

**imported_Counts** · June 1st, 2007, 04:43 PM

It has been in place for as long as I can remember (Now the Aug 1st date used to be a different date maybe the date that the schools started can't remember for sure)

I am not aware of this rule being broken (in our area at least)

If a player were to do so then any contests he plays in would be ruled forfits.

I would be SHOCKED if any coach or AD would risk that situation.

I am wondering if the people in question realize that they will be inelegable yet?

**cvcgrad** · June 1st, 2007, 04:52 PM

I was wondering if perhaps the date may have been different in the past allowing players to compete if they turned 19 before say December 1 or January 1 of that school year.

We all know that hold backs are common, and it makes sense that some would turn 19 before their senior year starts, which would by this rule make them ineligible.

From what I understand, there would be an even larger group of current sophomores who wouldn't/shouldn't be eligible to play in 2009.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Counts</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It has been in place for as long as I can remember (Now the Aug 1st date used to be a different date maybe the date that the schools started can't remember for sure)

I am not aware of this rule being broken (in our area at least)

If a player were to do so then any contests he plays in would be ruled forfits.

I would be SHOCKED if any coach or AD would risk that situation.

I am wondering if the people in question realize that they will be inelegable yet? </div></div>

**burtonball** · June 1st, 2007, 04:57 PM

Rule use to be if you turned 19 before Oct.1, of that school year you could NOT play. Mat Cowden, at John I Burton sued the VHSL and won because he was one day too old and was held back in the first grade due to a medical reason. Judge ruled that Oct 1 dtae made no since since practice begin at the beginning of Aug. Thats why the date was changed to "if you turn 19 after Aug 1, you now can play your senior year. So new rule is in line with practice and it let players be two months older.

**imported_Counts** · June 1st, 2007, 05:05 PM

IF they turn 19 BEFORE Aug 1st 09(Jan 1st is not and never has been the date to my knowldge) then you are 100% correct and they (whoever they are) would be inelegable for the 09 season.

That being said anyone who starts school at 5 would be able to holdback/fail a grade and still not be 19 before that date

i.e my sons Birthday is Sep 30 he will start school when he is 5 and will turn 6 that same year (1) If he finishes school without failing OR holding back then he will start his senior year at 17 and turn 18 that same year (2) If he Holdsback/Fails 1 year then he will start his last year at 18 and turn 19 that year and still be elegable (3) If he holdsback/fails 2 years he will be 19 on Aug 1st and be inelegable

**centennialdawg** · June 1st, 2007, 05:13 PM

The key words are school year. For example: If you turn 19 after the 2007-2008 school year starts, then you are ok. If you turn 19 before it starts, then you can't without special waivers. These special waivers are usually for sickness or injury, which would have kept you from playing or attending school during your last year of eligibility.