By GARETT VALCOURT
Recent enforcement of a longstanding Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) policy has resulted in the cancellation of several junior varsity (JV) girls’ basketball seasons in Holmes County schools.
Holmes County District Schools have recently faced challenges due to enforcement of FHSAA Policy 6.1.3.1. This policy, which limits student-athletes’ participation across multiple levels and seasons, has led to the cancellation of the remainder of the JV basketball seasons for local teams, including the Ponce de Leon Lady Pirates and the Bethlehem Lady Wildcats.
The policy states, “An individual student shall not exceed the established contest limitations, as listed in Policy 6.1.2 (except for football), during any school year, regardless of whether the student transfers attendance to a different school, moves back and/or forth between varsity and sub-varsity levels or competes at the high school or middle/junior high school level.” It further restricts students in combined middle and high schools from participating in the same sport across different seasons. “If a combination school has high school and a middle/junior high school team in a certain sport which compete during different seasons, an individual student is permitted to participate during only one of the seasons for that particular sport.” What does this mean? If a school has teams for the same sport in different seasons, the student can only play in one of those seasons.
This policy, though longstanding, has gained new attention due to a conversation between an FHSAA official and a South Florida parent inquiring about eligibility. FHSAA Panhandle Administrator of Eligibility Compliance Malcolm Pollock clarified, “No, it was not a result of any complaint. It came to light during an information inquiry regarding a student’s eligibility.”
The enforcement of this rule has potential ramifications for rural schools, which often have limited student-athlete pools. Holmes County Athletic Director Kevin Womble noted, “While this doesn’t directly affect Holmes County High School, it impacts us indirectly because our JV athletes lose crucial playing time.” Womble also acknowledged the rule’s existence but emphasized its prior lack of enforcement.
Superintendent Buddy Brown expressed concern over the impact on students, stating, “This rule has resulted in the end of the season for several of our athletes. We will explore proposing revisions to FHSAA rules to better accommodate small and rural schools.”
FHSAA’s policies impose strict penalties for violations:
- Section 10.2.1: Intentional or inadvertent use of ineligible students results in automatic forfeiture of games and honors. School officials found complicit may face additional sanctions.
- Section 16.11.5: Non-self-reported violations carry a minimum penalty of $2,500 per contest.
- Section 16.11.6: Self-reported violations carry a reduced minimum penalty of $100 per contest.
Holmes County officials plan to advocate for changes to FHSAA regulations that consider the unique needs of rural schools. Superintendent Brown emphasized the importance of protecting opportunities for student-athletes in small communities.
The enforcement of FHSAA Policy 6.1.3.1 highlights the challenges faced by rural districts in complying with statewide athletic regulations. While intended to ensure fair competition, the policy’s impact on Holmes County highlights the prospective need for nuanced approaches that balance regulatory compliance with the realities of small school systems.
Staff Report 