The KHSAA announced major changes to middle school athletics in Kentucky on Tuesday. Earlier this year the KHSAA was granted the power to monitor middle school athletes from the Kentucky Department of Education. This releases provides a structure to regulate athletics at the middle school level as they do already with high schools across the state.
The biggest change from a XC/track perspective is the limitation of 6th grade and below athletes from participating in high school athletics. This was already true in the post-season, but these athletes were allowed to compete in the regular season. Starting in 2014 that would no longer be true. There will be a grandfather clause for 2014 and 2015. So far this track season there have been athletes competing as low as the 3rd grade in a high school event.
THESE RULES AFFECT ALL SPORTS NOT JUST XC/TRACK
New Rules:
· Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, students below grade seven (7) will not be permitted to play at any level (freshman, junior varsity or varsity) of high school athletics.
· Students who have participated at the high school level (during any period defined by Bylaw 25) prior to the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year will be “grandfathered” in to the regulation, and allowed to continue to compete at the high school level provided such participation is not in conflict with any other bylaw.
· This phase-in will be completed by the start of the 2016-2017 school year at which point no student below grade seven (7) will have a participation opportunity at the high school level.
· During 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, only those students who have participated on the high school level (freshman, junior varsity or varsity) prior to the conclusion of the 2013-2014 school year will be permitted to continue such participation.
Heat Index and Concussion Management
Safety, Sports Medicine and Risk Minimization Changes
· Before practicing or playing, each student must have a physical (KHSAA will develop specific form for middle school level) signed by a physician, physician’s assistant, advance practice registered nurse or chiropractor (if performed within the chiropractor’s scope of practice);
· Middle school interscholastic teams shall adhere to all high school sports medicine policies including:
o Heat Index and Heat Illness Programs;
o Wrestling Weight Management Programs; and
o Concussion and other head injury Policy Programs.
Coaches will have to adhere to rules to participate as well.
Requirements for Coaches
The requirements for coaches in the middle school level will mirror the requirements at the high school level, but not be identical. Coaches at the middle school level (paid or unpaid) must meet the following criteria:
· Shall be 21 years of age;
· Shall not be a violent offender or convicted of a sex crime as defined by KRS 17.165 that is classified as a felony;
· Shall submit to a criminal records check under KRS 160.380; and
· Shall have graduated from a public or accredited high school.
Students Repeating grades in middle school be ineligible.