(9-21-23) As the new law stands (which passed in the 2023 Legislative Session) in West Virginia, high school athletes are now able to transfer to another school one time without being penalized and losing a year of eligibility. There are also no restrictions within the law that require students to transfer within their district.

§18-2-25e. Athletic eligibility of transfer students.

(a) The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission shall modify its rule, prior to the 2023-2024 school year, to allow students to transfer schools and retain athletic eligibility at least one time during a student’s four years of secondary school, inclusive of grades nine through 12. The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission may promulgate an emergency rule, if necessary, to modify its rule prior to the 2023-2024 school year.

(b) Nothing in this section is intended to limit or restrict a student transferring more than one time for the following reasons:

(1) The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission’s ability to make eligibility determinations on a case-by-case basis when warranted by a student’s circumstances in accordance with the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission’s rules; or

(2) For any other reason permitted under the rules of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

The transfer rule was added as part of the Hope Scholarship program.

One school has had its roster depleted…South Charleston.

South Charleston @ Cabell Midland

WOWK 13 News – You Tube Video

The implementation of this rule has resulted in lopsided football scores in West Virginia, with some teams scoring as high as 70, 80, or even 90 points.