(4-14-26) Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) member schools will vote on a bylaw that would allow student-athletes to compete at a nearby school in a sports not offered by their system.

Twice (2022 & 2023) before OHSAA member schools have voted down the same type of proposals.

Plus…this past December State Representative Angie King (R-Celina) announced that she had introduced the Student Athlete Mobility (SAM) Act, to give students the ability to participate in sports that are not offered at their home school.

Related: New Legislative Action Could Overturn Earlier OHSAA Bylaw Failed Votes

ISSUE 2B – Bylaw 4-3-1, Enrollment & Attendance, Exc. 8, Non-Enrolled Participation (New Exception)

Would allow students at an OHSAA member public school that does not sponsor a particular team sport to participate in that sport at another OHSAA member public school, provided that:

1. The other school is within 20 miles (by the most direct route), and

2. The superintendents of both schools approve the arrangement.

In multi–high school districts, students whose school does not offer a specific sport may be assigned to participate at another school within the same district. Participation within a multi–high school district will follow OHSAA business rules for non-enrolled students (see full bylaw language for additional details).

Example: Celina offers boys and girls tennis, Coldwater does not, the new bylaw would allow a Coldwater student-athlete to play for the Bulldogs.

The bylaw is one of 12 that will be voted on by member schools .

OHSAA Member Schools to Vote on 12 Referendum