Athletes protest eligibility changes

High school students Sarah Taylor, Jenna Higgins and Meagan Crafts haven't been involved in political rallies before.

Then again, most political issues don't affect whether their volleyball team will have to play against teams that don't have to abide by the same rules they do at Meridian, a private school in Utah County.

That's why their school's administrators and coaches braved the snowy weather to travel from Utah County to the State Capitol on Friday so the students could participate in a rally opposing SB81, which would change the law regarding home-school and charter-school student athletes.

About three dozen Meridian students made the trip, as well as about a dozen from Rowland Hall, a private school in Salt Lake City. Also on hand were members of the Utah High School Activities Association, school board members and executive committee members.

"My parents support this completely," said Crafts, a sophomore who held a sign with Higgins, a freshman. "If this becomes a law, then (charter schools) will become powerhouses because they can recruit. It will make it hard for us to win, and that's not fair."

Adds Higgins: "This doesn't just affect charter schools or even private schools. All students are affected."

The players say they don't have a chance against a school that doesn't have to abide by the same rules governing eligibility and student transfers as they do. The bill, which passed the Senate last week and awaits a vote in House before lawmakers adjourn Wednesday, changes eligibility and transfer requirements for students who are home-schooled or attend a charter school.

Sponsored by Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Lehi, the bill's most extensive changes would affect home-schooled students. Currently they can participate in UHSAA-governed activities only at the school in which boundaries they live. They also have to meet the host school's academic-eligibility requirements. The bill would allow those students to attend any school in the entire district. Eligibility would be determined by simply filing a notice with the school.

"What's to stop a (home-schooled) student who lives in the Granite District from playing football at Skyline, basketball at Olympus and baseball at Cottonwood?" said UHSAA assistant director Jerry Bovee.

But that isn't the only change that troubles UHSAA officials, public and private school administrators, and coaches.