Page 14 - 2021 IHSAA Annual Report

THE 2020 – 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
because of the pandemic. This fostered an fanbases of the represented teams. Also, for
opportunity for great teamwork to occur the first time ever, the girls state basketball
between the venue and the IHSAA—as the tournament was played over a two-day
Association was able to lend its expertise in span—on Friday and Saturday—to prevent
hosting sporting events with spectators during overcrowding and allow for facility cleaning.
a pandemic.
The boys basketball state tournament took
In addition to wrestling, Bankers Life also place simultaneously with the NCAA Division
hosted the basketball championships as it I Men’s Basketball Tournament—of which all
traditionally does. For the safety of all, only games were played in the Hoosier state. To
2,500 tickets were made available to the accommodate the venue needs for collegiate
March Madness, the IHSAA delayed the date of
its boys basketball state finals. In a basketball
crazy state, the IHSAA is a team player.
The IHSAA led the state in how to safely
manage and host events for student-athletes
and, for that matter, large events of any kind
during a pandemic. It required a great amount
of teamwork, on and off the court. Everyone
who had a role in making high school sports
possible last year is an Indiana state champion
in the eyes of the IHSAA.
Workers disinfect the seats at Lucas Oil Stadium
between games of the IHSAA Football State Finals.
Transfers: Finding a Path 2021–22 STUDENT-ATHLETE TRANSFERS
The pandemic brought with it a myriad of Eligibility Transfers % of total
new challenges for the IHSAA. However, Full Eligibility 2,617 92.38%
some challenges seem to be perpetual. Limited Eligibility 183 6.46%
One such challenge for the Association is
student-athlete transfers. To create policies Ineligible 33 1.16%
around student-athlete transfers is inherently Total 2,833
complex. Understandably, the difficulty of
this challenge is compounded by the public’s
perception of these policies.
2021–22 FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSFERS
Transfer policies are established in the best
interest of all student-athletes affected by Eligibility Transfers % of total
a transfer. However, the public narrative of Full Eligibility 165 97.06%
IHSAA transfer policy is often centered around Limited Eligibility 4 2.35%
a high-profile situation and is viewed with
a lens focused on a singular student-athlete Ineligible 1 .59%
who is applying for eligibility as a transfer. We Total 170
understand why this narrative often comes to
the forefront, but we also know these situations
are incredibly delicate and nuanced. As these two graphs illustrate, the overwhelming
majority of transfers find a path to eligibility.
12 INDIANA HIGH S CHOOL A THLE TIC ASS OCIA TION Annual Report 2021
THE 2020 – 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
The IHSAA never wants to deny a student- We understand that student-transfers pose
athlete participation. However, of an equal unique issues, but we will never stop trying to
concern, and often an overlooked one, is how improve the process for the benefit of everyone.
all student-athletes are affected in a transfer
situation. In the eyes of the Association, the As an example, during the June Executive
student-athlete who loses their spot because Committee Meeting in Brown County, a
of the transfer also needs to be considered. unanimous vote was reached in favor of
changing the transfer review process. To make
This student-athlete is often the last one to the Review Committee more informal and
make the team—and their contribution as such less intimidating, neither the IHSAA nor the
represents many of the IHSAA’s values that transfer’s party will be accompanied by an
education-based athletics aim to instill, things attorney. Instead, the process will be heard
like dedication, teamwork, and selflessness. and conducted by educators, all of whom have
They might play less than anybody else, a history of putting the student’s welfare and
but they benefit just as much from being on education as their top priority.
the team. Not only is this student-athlete
losing an opportunity to contribute, but their The welfare of all student-athletes and their
teammates lose an individual who sets the education has always been at the root of our
example for what education-based athletics transfer policies. We know education-based
stand for. athletics help shape the leaders of tomorrow,
and we never want to deny any student-athlete
The difficulties surrounding transfers from participating—and in the rare instance
characterized above should not undermine when a transfer is denied, it is in the spirit of
the positive. Last year, 3,000 student-athlete maintaining equity.
transfers, or 98% of applicants, found a path to
eligibility. Those are numbers to be proud of.
When considering a transfer, the effect on all
student-athletes is considered—that includes
those whose contribution is not necessarily
measured by statistical impact.
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