LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:

7th & 8th Grade Sub Varsity Eligibility

Author:Brandon Marquez & Tanner Cavenee
School:Elm Creek
NSAA District:4
 
Proposal for:Constitution & Bylaws
 
Classes Affected:All
Activities Affected:All
This proposal:WILL increase costs to the school
WILL NOT increase costs to the NSAA
WILL NOT increase travel for participating schools
WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time
Implementation date:2024-08-01
Sections affected in Constitution & Bylaws:Page
18
20
20
22
23
Article
2
2
2
2
2
Section
2.1.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2.6.3
2.6.4
Summary:This proposal allows schools that need/want to use 7th and 8th graders to fill sub varsity levels of high school athletics and activities the opportunity to do so. These students can participate at the Junior High and High School level like they do in other states. The numbers below show the participation change from 2013-2014 to 2022-2023. The proposal would give more athletes the opportunity to play in games at these lower levels and decrease the number of games getting canceled on a daily basis. Schools would get the opportunity to decide if they wanted to do this, make the decision on what 7th and 8th graders play at the high school level, and if the 7th and 8th grade students playing in high school are allowed to play in junior high . This is how it has been done in several states successfully and helped decrease the number of lower level and varsity contests getting canceled. Student athletes would now have the opportunity to have 12 semesters of eligibility, and up to 6 years of participation in any sport/activity. The 19 year old age limitation at the top end of age eligibility would stay the same. Junior High students would now be allowed to practice with high school teams. Students that participate in High School sports would have to select their school for eligibility and the option rule would start for them as soon as they play in a high school activity. Students and parents could choose for their child to not participate at this level thus not starting their school of choice. Comparisons Football 11 2013–9,984 / Football 11 2023-8,463 Football 6/8 2013-3,456 / Football 2023 6/8-3,456 Boys BB 2013-7,409 / Boys BB 2023-6,472 Girls BB 2013-6.207 / Girls BB 2023-4,990 Volleyball 2013-7,111 / Volleyball 2023-6,708 Track & Field B & G 2013 15.392 / Track & Field B & G 2023-15,384 Wrestling B 2013 4,519 / Wrestling B 2023 4,537 Play Production 2013 3,355 / 2023 2,745 *Take into consideration these numbers from 2013 (State Population of 1.866 Million) to 2023 (1.975 Million) of a roughly 200,000 increase in state population.
Rationale:The reason for this proposal is very simple, participation numbers in most sports are decreasing in activities. There are numerous sub varsity contests being cancelled on a daily basis. A perfect example of this would be in girls basketball which is down 1000 participants from a year ago, teams lacking the numbers to play JV and varsity contests being canceled. An easy way of increasing the number in reserve, junior varsity activities is to include 7th and 8th graders to high school activities. This also allows schools to enough kids to have adequate practices to prepare their teams. The answer has been to add more quarters for kids so we can have these games and we feel we just need to add more kids and lower the quarters back down to where they need to be. Many schools do not have enough to do anything "live" in practice due to lack of participants. States such as Minnesota and South Dakota have both done this with success. We want more opportunities for all kids to get to play at every level.
Pros:All athletes have increased participation opportunities because lower level teams can be filled. The number of quarters, sets, and periods an athlete can play in a night can be brought back down due to more students available to participate. We increase the chance those lower level athletes will continue to participate because they are getting to play in games. This would allow all teams the opportunity to have junior high kids be at practice to have an adequate practice. Most of all there would be less games getting canceled on a daily and weekly basis.
Cons:Students that have to play JH and HS due to participation will not practice as much. Each school would decide if they allow 7th and 8th graders to participate and the way it is handled at their school. Dealing with the decisions made could be difficult. Students and parents would have to choose their school of athletic eligibility at a younger age. Younger athletes in contact sports could be at higher risk for injury.