Page 127 - 2025-26 By-Laws

Rule 20 - Undue Influence
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
or the student’s family to induce a change of schools or residences.
Q. 20-4 May an alumnus provide financial assistance to needy students?
A. No, not directly. Donations may be made to a School and dispersed by the
School to students who qualify under an objectively determined need-based
financial aid program for tuition, room and/or board, provided student-athletes
receive no special consideration.
Q. 20-5 A School has a donor who wants to give funds to underwrite the tuition and
fees of a needy student. The School uses an objectively determined need-
based financial aid program. May the donor be permitted to meet, interview
and endorse the selection of the needy students prior to the allocation of this
financial aid?
A. No.
Q. 20-6 After donated funds are objectively allocated by a School under an objectively
determined need-based financial aid program, may a donor meet the students
who were recipients of a donation?
A. Yes.

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