LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:

7th & 8th Grade Participation in Activities & Athletics at All High School Levels

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
19
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 all levels of high school athletics and activities the opportunity to do so. There are also many younger athletes that are ready to compete at that level. 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 all levels and decrease the number of games/seasons getting canceled on a daily and yearly 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 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. Students that participate in High School sports would have to select their school for eligibility and the option rule would start for them.
Rationale:The reason for this proposal is very simple, participation numbers are lacking in activities. 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, and varsity activities participants is to include 7th and 8th graders to some high school activities. States such as Minnesota and South Dakota have both done this with success. This would also allow teams to have enough participants to have adequate practices.
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. This would also allow younger athletes that are ready to participate at a varsity level to get to do so
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.