North Texas Coaches Voice Concerns Over Proposed High School Athletic Transfer Bill

Arlington, Texas – Some high school football coaches in North Texas are raising concerns over a proposed bill that would change the rules for transferring schools for athletic reasons. Currently, students who transfer for sports must sit out for a year before they can compete at the varsity level. However, if the bill passes, students would be allowed to transfer once during their high school career without having to sit out, as long as both the receiving school district and the student’s parents agree in writing.

Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, who introduced the bill, argues it gives parents more choice about where their children play. Gervin-Hawkins, coming from a sports background herself, believes that young athletes should not be penalized for transferring to pursue better opportunities in sports, especially when academic transfers do not carry such restrictions. She has stated, “The goal of this legislation is to make sure, with parent choice, that they can move their child for athletic reasons.”

Despite the good intentions behind the bill, local coaches are worried about what could happen if the legislation is passed. Arlington Sam Houston football coach Chris James expressed concern, saying, “I think it’s going to become the wild, wild West.” Fellow coach Joseph Sam from Arlington Bowie echoed this sentiment, describing the change as “opening up Pandora’s box.”

Another worry coaches share is that the transfer rule could lead to easy recruiting and manipulation of students. They likened it to college football’s transfer portal where athletes can switch teams more freely. “You’re going to have a lot of people, not high school coaches or teachers, but a lot of so-called ‘street agents’ go around and find kids,” James cautioned.

Coaches like Brian Blackburn from Aledo are also worried about the potential chaos it could create. “It would be a drastic shift from having players stay at their zoned schools,” he stated. He emphasized the need for proper regulations that protect student-athletes and the integrity of high school sports.

On the flip side, some coaches like North Crowley girls basketball coach Lori Shead see possible benefits. “I can see some positive for those that would be overlooked,” Shead said, but she remains cautious about the implications of building super teams through transfers.

As lawmakers prepare for the upcoming legislative session, it remains to be seen if this bill will gain the support it needs. Until then, the debate continues on the balance between student choice and maintaining fair play in high school athletics.