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If the kids were in the 8th grade last year, and get held back, they are not eligible for a second 8th grade year of sports.

They can play middle school if their school board allows it. This is determined by each individual school board.

They can not play at the high school level if they hold themselves back. Also, their high shcool eligibility has begun with they are promoted to ninth grade and they would not be able to play their senior year.

Bylaw 4. Enrollment

Sec. 1) Maximum Number of Semesters
a) Students promoted from grade eight (8) to grade nine (9) shall
have four (4) consecutive calendar years of eligibility from the
date of first such promotion by the school provided the student
is eligible according to this and all other Association bylaws.
Such eligibility shall conclude with the completion of the spring
sports season following the fourth year.
b) The Commissioner or Board of Control through the Due Process
Procedure, may grant additional eligibility in the case where is
has been documented by the attending physician, Principal and
Superintendent that severe illness or injury has prevented the
student from receiving necessary education services and the
right to an education has therefore been impacted rather than
simply the loss of athletic privilege. Such grant of eligibility may
only be made in the cases in which the student-athlete would
remain eligible by all other Association bylaws. Nothing about
this provision shall include additional eligibility strictly for loss
of participation due to sports related injuries.
c) No student having been enrolled in the fourth (4th) grade
or in any grade through twelfth (12th) shall be eligible for
interscholastic athletics at the high school level (grades 9
through 12) for more than a total of one (1) year in each grade
and applicable eligibility shall begin in the first year enrolled
in that grade. Students repeating a grade for any reason are
ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at the high
school level (grades 9 through 12) during the second year in
that grade. The penalty for violation of this rule shall be the loss
of one of the four years of eligibility after being promoted from
grade nine (9). Policies regarding the participation of repeating
students at the levels of play below high school interscholastic
athletics shall be determined by the school council pursuant to
KRS 160.345 (2) (i).



Case BL-4-3- May students have more than four years
(eight (8) semesters) of eligibility in order to participate
in interscholastic competition after being promoted
from grade eight(8)?
No, a student is eligible only for the first four consecutive years
(eight (8) semesters) after initial promotion from grade eight (8),
even if they do not participate in athletics during one or more
of those years.


Case BL-4-5 – May a student who is repeating a grade
(below grade nine) play interscholastic sports for the
middle school / junior high school?
That determination is left to the discretion of the local school
based decision-making body for the school in accordance with
adopted SBDM policies. It has been determined and reaffirmed
by the Department of Education that the Association’s
jurisdiction is presently limited to the member high schools
of the Association and not the related middle or junior high
schools. However, those students who are repeating a grade
at any level are prevented in all situations from representing a
KHSAA member school in a scrimmage or contest at any level
(grades 9-12) during the year being repeated whether or not
that student played interscholastic sports at any level during the
first year in the grade.

Case BL-4-18- Do parents have options relative to holding
a student back in grade eight?
No, Kentucky Department of Education regulations place the
responsibility for promotion or retention of a student on school
personnel and not parents. Once “promoted” from the eighth
grade, a student’s four consecutive calendar year (8 semesters)
athletic eligibility period begins.
Verification as to the retention/promotino decision is the
responsibility of school personnel and may include such
things as STI records or other written documentation. Such
documentation should always be available for review until the
student graduates.