Karl Hungus: You're probably right, but that "signing off" part, seems to be a major flaw in the system. Why should the Morans be punished, because their prior school contests, whereas Goehrings and Demiens in another part of the state remain eligible, because their respective schools don't, when the rule violated is exactly the same? Why doesn't the IHSAA determine each case on its own merits, and not leave it up to the schools discretion? Justice should be fair by definition, and meted out equally. As long as individual schools have a say in it, it can't be equal treatment to each athlete, because schools will differ in their approach. The IHSAA should objectively look at each situation and rule independently. Shouldn't they? Am I missing something? If so, please set me straight!
It really sickens me to know Jonathon Moran lost something he can never get back, his senior season, through no fault of his own. As coaches, parents and fans we get so tired of seeing kids quit sports late in their careers, for whatever reason, because we know from experience, what a special time of life high school is. We try hard to keep kids involved...and yet here is a passionate, hard-working kid who was denied the opportunity to continue to pursue his passion. If he wasn't as passionate and hard-working, he probably would not have achieved as much success, so...his school would have been much less likely to contest the transfer. Which is yet another reason it shouldn't be left to the school's discretion. Wouldn't we find it farcical to do the same thing with regard to a high academic achiever? Example: A very gifted science student wishes to transfer to a neighboring school, because it has a better Science Department and a well respected Engineering Club. Would anybody try to stop that academic transfer?