[Appalachian Cat]

Is it possible for an athlete to live in another bordering state and be eligible for a varsity contest in Kentucky.  Example: Can you live in Ohio and play varsity sports in Kentucky without a full family move to Kentucky?  I have read the KHSAA Bylaws 6, 7 & 8. I cannot find a definitive answer.

[Bigbluewarehouse]

I would assume if khsaa looked into it an the family wasn't living in the county the child was playing in and he/she was in hs last year they wouldn't be eligible but khsaa seems to only look into that stuff if the kids former school complains is what I've gathered

[Fanman]

Is it possible for an athlete to live in another bordering state and be eligible for a varsity contest in Kentucky.  Example: Can you live in Ohio and play varsity sports in Kentucky without a full family move to Kentucky?  I have read the KHSAA Bylaws 6, 7 & 8. I cannot find a definitive answer.

Not possible legally. Would have to have somehow been enrolled at the KY school from a very young age or it would fall under transfer bylaws. Then it would fall under Non-Member School transfer, and according to Bylaw 6 Section 2b, it says a waiver (for ineligibility) can be made when transferring from a non-member school IN KENTUCKY, to a member school, when they've only participated in athletics at the non-member school.

[Appalachian Cat]

Is it possible for an athlete to live in another bordering state and be eligible for a varsity contest in Kentucky.  Example: Can you live in Ohio and play varsity sports in Kentucky without a full family move to Kentucky?  I have read the KHSAA Bylaws 6, 7 & 8. I cannot find a definitive answer.

Not possible legally. Would have to have somehow been enrolled at the KY school from a very young age or it would fall under transfer bylaws. Then it would fall under Non-Member School transfer, and according to Bylaw 6 Section 2b, it says a waiver (for ineligibility) can be made when transferring from a non-member school IN KENTUCKY, to a member school, when they've only participated in athletics at the non-member school.

Thanks. This was the conversation at work last week and I didn’t know what the bylaw states on this.  This person was claiming that there is a 16th region school that may get in trouble because of this. Allegedly have an OH kid in the roster and never moved.  It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[Fanman]

Is it possible for an athlete to live in another bordering state and be eligible for a varsity contest in Kentucky.  Example: Can you live in Ohio and play varsity sports in Kentucky without a full family move to Kentucky?  I have read the KHSAA Bylaws 6, 7 & 8. I cannot find a definitive answer.

Not possible legally. Would have to have somehow been enrolled at the KY school from a very young age or it would fall under transfer bylaws. Then it would fall under Non-Member School transfer, and according to Bylaw 6 Section 2b, it says a waiver (for ineligibility) can be made when transferring from a non-member school IN KENTUCKY, to a member school, when they've only participated in athletics at the non-member school.

Thanks. This was the conversation at work last week and I didn’t know what the bylaw states on this.  This person was claiming that there is a 16th region school that may get in trouble because of this. Allegedly have an OH kid in the roster and never moved.  It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Yeah who knows these days. Its like the Wild West out there with transfers. And KHSAA can't (and frankly don't want to I believe) keep up with most of them. I would say in this situation it would have to involve a fake address though.

[Appalachian Cat]

Is it possible for an athlete to live in another bordering state and be eligible for a varsity contest in Kentucky.  Example: Can you live in Ohio and play varsity sports in Kentucky without a full family move to Kentucky?  I have read the KHSAA Bylaws 6, 7 & 8. I cannot find a definitive answer.

Not possible legally. Would have to have somehow been enrolled at the KY school from a very young age or it would fall under transfer bylaws. Then it would fall under Non-Member School transfer, and according to Bylaw 6 Section 2b, it says a waiver (for ineligibility) can be made when transferring from a non-member school IN KENTUCKY, to a member school, when they've only participated in athletics at the non-member school.

Thanks. This was the conversation at work last week and I didn’t know what the bylaw states on this.  This person was claiming that there is a 16th region school that may get in trouble because of this. Allegedly have an OH kid in the roster and never moved.  It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Yeah who knows these days. Its like the Wild West out there with transfers. And KHSAA can't (and frankly don't want to I believe) keep up with most of them. I would say in this situation it would have to involve a fake address though.

I agree 100%.  I read the non-member language in the bylaws but didn’t see anything where it directly said out-of-state.  To me, that means it is a violation of the bylaw.  Thanks for the information.

[IAM22]

You do not have to live in KY to play varsity sports at a KY high school. Player just has to be enrolled at the school they play.

[Appalachian Cat]

You do not have to live in KY to play varsity sports at a KY high school. Player just has to be enrolled at the school they play.

Where does it say that in the KHSAA bylaws?  Can’t find it?
If this is true, just move to OH and play at any KY high school that you want…?  There has to be more to this story.

[shottaker23]

You do not have to live in KY to play varsity sports at a KY high school. Player just has to be enrolled at the school they play.

Where does it say that in the KHSAA bylaws?  Can’t find it?
If this is true, just move to OH and play at any KY high school that you want…?  There has to be more to this story.

That is incorrect, must live in the school district unless private school.

---

That is incorrect, must live in the school district unless private school.
Although the KHSAA will not investigate unless complaints are made. Then they simply send a employee to listed residence or ask for proof of res.

[Appalachian Cat]

You do not have to live in KY to play varsity sports at a KY high school. Player just has to be enrolled at the school they play.

Where does it say that in the KHSAA bylaws?  Can’t find it?
If this is true, just move to OH and play at any KY high school that you want…?  There has to be more to this story.

That is incorrect, must live in the school district unless private school.

---

That is incorrect, must live in the school district unless private school.
Although the KHSAA will not investigate unless complaints are made. Then they simply send an employee to listed residence or ask for proof of res.

IAM22 What is the Bylaw that justifies your previous post?  I agree with Shottaker but you seemed to be confident that you were right.

[plantmanky]

Bylaw Amendment Required due to passage of 2021 HB563 amending KRS 156.070:

Bylaw 8 – Per Acts Chapter 167 (2021 HB563), as passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2021, which amended KRS 156.070(2)(h), Any student who transfers enrollment from a district of residence to a nonresident district under KRS 157.350(4)(b) shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for one (1) calendar year from the date of the transfer.

[shottaker23]

Bylaw Amendment Required due to passage of 2021 HB563 amending KRS 156.070:

Bylaw 8 – Per Acts Chapter 167 (2021 HB563), as passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2021, which amended KRS 156.070(2)(h), Any student who transfers enrollment from a district of residence to a nonresident district under KRS 157.350(4)(b) shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for one (1) calendar year from the date of the transfer.

A little further examination. Only if a parent is employed by said district would they be eligible if living out of state.     

SEC. 1) NON-RESIDENT STUDENT ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTION
a) Under KRS 156.070 (2) (i), unless deemed to be eligible by the Ruling Officer or the Commissioner through Bylaw 6 (Transfer Rule), any student who transfers enrollment from a district of residence to a nonresident district under KRS 157.350(4)(b) after enrolling in grade nine (9) and participating in a varsity sport shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for one (1) calendar year from the date of the transfer.
b) Per KRS 157.350 (4) ©, the provisions of subsection (a) above shall not apply to a nonresident pupil who attends a district in which a parent of the pupil is employed.
(1) The following definitions and guidelines must be met for a student to be counted as a CDE (child of district employee) student and, therefore, exempt from section 1(a) above, however, said students are subject to the provisions of Bylaw 6 (Transfer Rule):
a. The parent must be employed, holding an employment contract with the district at a level that requires that person to receive a W-2 and further requires the employee to participate in one of the state retirement systems (TRS, KRS, CERS), and does not include those who do not work enough hours to qualify for those benefits or if their employment is reported on a 1099-MISC.
b. The “parent” is defined as a person who has a school-age child who lives in the employee’s household, and the employee exercises custodial care and control of the child, including a biological or adoptive parent, step-parent, foster parent, or any person to who the courts have award custodial care of the child.

[IAM22]

You do not have to live in KY to play varsity sports at a KY high school. Player just has to be enrolled at the school they play.

Where does it say that in the KHSAA bylaws?  Can’t find it?
If this is true, just move to OH and play at any KY high school that you want…?  There has to be more to this story.

That is incorrect, must live in the school district unless private school.

---

That is incorrect, must live in the school district unless private school.
Although the KHSAA will not investigate unless complaints are made. Then they simply send a employee to listed residence or ask for proof of res.

You do not have to live in the school district to attend that school and be eligible.
You can live in Lexington, enroll at Bowling Green High School, be eligible, if you want.

---

Bylaw Amendment Required due to passage of 2021 HB563 amending KRS 156.070:

Bylaw 8 – Per Acts Chapter 167 (2021 HB563), as passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2021, which amended KRS 156.070(2)(h), Any student who transfers enrollment from a district of residence to a nonresident district under KRS 157.350(4)(b) shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for one (1) calendar year from the date of the transfer.

A little further examination. Only if a parent is employed by said district would they be eligible if living out of state.     

SEC. 1) NON-RESIDENT STUDENT ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTION
a) Under KRS 156.070 (2) (i), unless deemed to be eligible by the Ruling Officer or the Commissioner through Bylaw 6 (Transfer Rule), any student who transfers enrollment from a district of residence to a nonresident district under KRS 157.350(4)(b) after enrolling in grade nine (9) and participating in a varsity sport shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for one (1) calendar year from the date of the transfer.
b) Per KRS 157.350 (4) ©, the provisions of subsection (a) above shall not apply to a nonresident pupil who attends a district in which a parent of the pupil is employed.
(1) The following definitions and guidelines must be met for a student to be counted as a CDE (child of district employee) student and, therefore, exempt from section 1(a) above, however, said students are subject to the provisions of Bylaw 6 (Transfer Rule):
a. The parent must be employed, holding an employment contract with the district at a level that requires that person to receive a W-2 and further requires the employee to participate in one of the state retirement systems (TRS, KRS, CERS), and does not include those who do not work enough hours to qualify for those benefits or if their employment is reported on a 1099-MISC.
b. The “parent” is defined as a person who has a school-age child who lives in the employee’s household, and the employee exercises custodial care and control of the child, including a biological or adoptive parent, step-parent, foster parent, or any person to who the courts have award custodial care of the child.

A "non resident" does not mean out of state, it means out of district. The parent part is being eligible to transfer without sitting out if parent is employed in the out of district school system.

---

There is no By -Law that says students living out of state students cannot enroll and participate in KY high school sports.
If the out of state student enrolls in a KY high school, played varsity sports at another high school but did not change addresses they would have to sit out a year. Just like any other student who transfers in state.

---

You do not have to live in KY to play varsity sports at a KY high school. Player just has to be enrolled at the school they play.

Where does it say that in the KHSAA bylaws?  Can’t find it?
If this is true, just move to OH and play at any KY high school that you want…?  There has to be more to this story.

That is incorrect, must live in the school district unless private school.

---

That is incorrect, must live in the school district unless private school.
Although the KHSAA will not investigate unless complaints are made. Then they simply send a employee to listed residence or ask for proof of res.

You do not have to live in the school district to attend that school and be eligible.
You can live in Lexington, enroll at Bowling Green High School, be eligible, if you want.

---

Bylaw Amendment Required due to passage of 2021 HB563 amending KRS 156.070:

Bylaw 8 – Per Acts Chapter 167 (2021 HB563), as passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2021, which amended KRS 156.070(2)(h), Any student who transfers enrollment from a district of residence to a nonresident district under KRS 157.350(4)(b) shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for one (1) calendar year from the date of the transfer.

A little further examination. Only if a parent is employed by said district would they be eligible if living out of state.     

SEC. 1) NON-RESIDENT STUDENT ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTION
a) Under KRS 156.070 (2) (i), unless deemed to be eligible by the Ruling Officer or the Commissioner through Bylaw 6 (Transfer Rule), any student who transfers enrollment from a district of residence to a nonresident district under KRS 157.350(4)(b) after enrolling in grade nine (9) and participating in a varsity sport shall be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for one (1) calendar year from the date of the transfer.
b) Per KRS 157.350 (4) ©, the provisions of subsection (a) above shall not apply to a nonresident pupil who attends a district in which a parent of the pupil is employed.
(1) The following definitions and guidelines must be met for a student to be counted as a CDE (child of district employee) student and, therefore, exempt from section 1(a) above, however, said students are subject to the provisions of Bylaw 6 (Transfer Rule):
a. The parent must be employed, holding an employment contract with the district at a level that requires that person to receive a W-2 and further requires the employee to participate in one of the state retirement systems (TRS, KRS, CERS), and does not include those who do not work enough hours to qualify for those benefits or if their employment is reported on a 1099-MISC.
b. The “parent” is defined as a person who has a school-age child who lives in the employee’s household, and the employee exercises custodial care and control of the child, including a biological or adoptive parent, step-parent, foster parent, or any person to who the courts have award custodial care of the child.

A "non resident" does not mean out of state, it means out of district. The parent part is being eligible to transfer without sitting out if parent is employed in the out of district school system.

---

There is no By -Law that says students living out of state cannot enroll and participate in KY high school sports.
If the out of state student enrolls in a KY high school, played varsity sports at another high school but did not change addresses they would have to sit out a year. Just like any other student who transfers in state.

[Blacksmith]

regardless of the legality, In my exp the KHSAA has a habit of looking the other way until they are left with no choice (I.E, enough folks complain)..

[Fanman]

If they have already sat out a year, then yes they would be eligible. Otherwise a change of address would be necessary. Also there are certain policies each school must follow to enroll an out of state student. But ultimately the Superintendent can make it happen.

[Appalachian Cat]

If they have already sat out a year, then yes they would be eligible. Otherwise a change of address would be necessary. Also there are certain policies each school must follow to enroll an out of state student. But ultimately the Superintendent can make it happen.

IAM22.  The only way you can live in Bowling Green and play in another district is if you transfer before Day 1 of the kid’s freshman year.  If you start Day 1 at a Kentucky (In-State) High School, that is where you have established you home high school.  Any transfer to another KY HS after that will require a full family move or sit out a year. You cannot live out of state and play varsity in KY without some sort of special exemption.  Seems the majority agree that is what the rules state.

[IAM22]

If they have already sat out a year, then yes they would be eligible. Otherwise a change of address would be necessary. Also there are certain policies each school must follow to enroll an out of state student. But ultimately the Superintendent can make it happen.

IAM22.  The only way you can live in Bowling Green and play in another district is if you transfer before Day 1 of the kid’s freshman year.  If you start Day 1 at a Kentucky (In-State) High School, that is where you have established you home high school.  Any transfer to another KY HS after that will require a full family move or sit out a year. You cannot live out of state and play varsity in KY without some sort of special exemption.  Seems the majority agree that is what the rules state.

I understand the transfer rule. I was answering someone that you had to go to your district school.

There is no special exemption from the KHSAA.
If the school accepts out of district students regardless of being in or out of states they can play varsity sports in KY. Usually, out of district students have to pay some type of tuition to offset the money that the district does not receive from the state for that student. 

Some states do not allow out of state students to play high school sports, Ohio is one of them. But there are kids that live in Ohio, go too school in Ky and play in KY.

[Appalachian Cat]

If they have already sat out a year, then yes they would be eligible. Otherwise a change of address would be necessary. Also there are certain policies each school must follow to enroll an out of state student. But ultimately the Superintendent can make it happen.

IAM22.  The only way you can live in Bowling Green and play in another district is if you transfer before Day 1 of the kid’s freshman year.  If you start Day 1 at a Kentucky (In-State) High School, that is where you have established you home high school.  Any transfer to another KY HS after that will require a full family move or sit out a year. You cannot live out of state and play varsity in KY without some sort of special exemption.  Seems the majority agree that is what the rules state.

I understand the transfer rule. I was answering someone that you had to go to your district school.

There is no special exemption from the KHSAA.
If the school accepts out of district students regardless of being in or out of states they can play varsity sports in KY. Usually, out of district students have to pay some type of tuition to offset the money that the district does not receive from the state for that student. 

Some states do not allow out of state students to play high school sports, Ohio is one of them. But there are kids that live in Ohio, go too school in Ky and play in KY.

I realize they are doing it but is it legal and approved by the KHSAA?  Is it in the bylaws that it is legal or are schools willingly cheating the system.

[IAM22]

There is no rule that prohibits out of state kids enrolling in a KY school and playing varsity sports!

That is why it is legal!!