The Senate Education Committee met Tuesday morning, sending a bill that would return oversight of transfers in high school athletics back to the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC), to the full Senate for a vote.
House Bill 4425 would repeal a 2023 law that permitted a “one-time transfer” for high school athletes. WVSSAC officials, coaches, and administrators testified in the bill’s favor during the meeting.
The WVSSAC enforces the rules implemented by its Board of Directors and Board of Controls, primarily made up of representatives of member schools.
WVSSAC Board of Directors Vice President Steve Wamsley asked the committee to allow his organization the opportunity to find a way to make the transfer rule better. He said he believes all stakeholders agree that the current system is not working.
WVSSAC Executive Director Wayne Ryan cited a growing lack of competitive balance as one of the primary reasons to tighten the restrictions on eligibility for athletic transfers. Data collected by the WVSSAC indicates that margins of victory are getting larger throughout the state.
“We’ve had to change the mercy rule in softball, baseball, soccer, and we’ve had to change the game-shortening rule in football to now take effect in the third quarter,” Ryan said. He noted that 303 high school football games were shortened last season.
Coaches and administrators testifying before the committee detailed the ways that open transfers have negatively impacted community support for athletic programs while creating a disconnect between schools and their communities.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for a vote.
If the bill completes legislative action, the WVSSAC Board of Controls would have an opportunity to implement a new policy later this month.
