Page 123 - 2023-24 By-Laws

Rule 20 - Undue Influence
a prospective transfer School.
20-6 Coaches Prohibited From Practices and Contests at Non-Feeder Schools and From
Visiting Homes of Non-Feeder School Students
Coaches from member School programs may only visit the Practices and/or Contests of their
respective Feeder School/s.
a. “Coaches” include contracted and volunteer, high school and middle/junior high, and anyone
representing the respective School or athletic program for the purposes of searching out
and contacting students and/or parents for the encouragement of enrollment for the purpose
of athletic participation at a particular School.
b. Representatives of a School’s athletic program may not visit the homes of non-Feeder
School students or use other means of communication for the purpose of encouraging
enrollment and athletic participation at a particular School.
c. Coaches of Non-School Teams may not be used as agents to direct non-Feeder School
students to another school.
20-7 Contact Between Parents of Non-Feeder School Students and Coaches Prohibited
Parents of a student from a non-Feeder School that makes contact with a member School
should be referred to the Principal.
a. Initial meetings shall not be with athletic department personnel.
b. While families have the right to attend athletic events at a non-Feeder School, special
invitations, preferential seating or free admission shall not be a part of their attendance.
20-8 Attendance at High School Camps/Clinics by Non-Feeder School Student Prohibited
Following their eighth grade year, students may not attend a high school’s athletic camp/clinic
unless they are attending a Feeder School or have Enrolled in the sponsoring school. Athletic
brochures, special invitations, camp/clinic fliers, etc. shall not be issued to select students
from non-Feeder Schools unless specifically requested by the parent/s.
20-9 Participation by Non-Feeder School Student in High School Activities Prohibited
Prior to Enrollment, a student of any age from a non-Feeder School may not be made a part
of an activity related to athletics including, but not limited to, such gatherings as pep sessions,
Practices, special trips, conditioning, Open Facilities, Contests, special use of facilities, special
visits, free spirit items or clothing.
Q & A
Undue Influence - Generally
Q. 20-1 Is it the duty of the IHSAA to prove that undue influence has been used?
A. No, member School principals have agreed to conduct athletic activities
according to the rules and regulations of the IHSAA, which includes the
obligation to conform to the requirements of the undue influence rule, rule
20. It is the obligation of the member Schools to review all Enrollments at and
transfers to the School in order to certify that the student is eligible under all
IHSAA eligibility rules, rules 3-8 and 19-8. And where there is a question, it is
the duty of the high school principals to fully investigate the matter.
Q. 20-2 Why should a School be penalized because some person outside of School
uses undue influence to secure a student’s Enrollment at the School?
A. The IHSAA has found that, regardless of whether the source of the undue
influence is a person connected to the School or a person outside of the
School, the result of the undue influence is always the same: the School using
such student profits from the undue influence. However, unless the School is
actually involved in the undue influence, or unless the student involved actually
participates in athletics at the School, Schools usually are not penalized in
undue influences cases.
Financial
Q. 20-3 May a student work during vacation or during out-of-school hours in order to
earn their way through high school, without a violation of the undue influence
rule?
A. Yes, the undue influence rule applies to the use of funds created by a gift, or
by subscription with the intent of offering such funds for free use by student
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