Photo: Indiana Public Media
IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox says the association has received many reports of people trying to influence students and parents to attend certain schools.
The Indiana High School Athletic Association has changed a bylaw dealing with recruiting middle school students.
IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox says the association has received many reports of people trying to influence students and parents to attend certain schools.
Cox says they have been told that operators of non-school sponsored athletic facilities are conducting clinics and leagues for middle schoolers and then trying to influence them to attend a school where they‘re coaching.
“In all reality that should not happen,” Cox says. “Students should be choosing their schools based on the academic program at the school first and foremost. And athletics needs to be subservient to the athletic program.”
A student caught in violation of the changed bylaw would be ineligible to play for a year from their date of enrollment. Cox says the person trying to recruit the student, or influence the parents, cannot be punished by the ISHAA.
