Has the IHSAA changed their bylaws?
The IHSAA used to only allow someone to compete unattached during the season if their own team was idle and their athletic director signed off on it.
Rule 15.1.1 c. ? ?An outstanding student-athlete may participate as an individual during the authorized contest season of a sport, without loss of interschool eligibility provided the following criteria are met:
1. Complete and forward application form to Commissioner seven (7) days prior to the event.
2. Requires approval of parent, coach, principal and the Commissioner.
3. Requires certification by State, National or International organization verifying the student?s qualifications.
4. Requires prior arrangements to complete academic lessons, assignments, and/or tests.
5. Requires that the student not miss an Association-sponsored tournament series event or a school sponsored contest for which he/she is eligible. It is the philosophy of this Association that the student owes loyalty to their school and team.
6. Requires student and parent agreement to not accept, directly or indirectly, any awards, gifts, trips, merchandise, etc., which would violate IHSAA Rule 5 (Amateurism) or Rule 6 (Awards, Prizes, Gifts).?
Rule 15.1.2 a ? ?Participation in organized non-school sports competition during the authorized contest season, including the IHSAA tournament series, in that sport shall cause such students to become ineligible for their school team in that sport for a period not to exceed 365 days as determined by the Commissioner, unless an outstanding student-athlete waiver for said competition is approved by the coach, principal, and the IHSAA office is on file in the principal?s office. A maximum of two waivers may be granted during a contest season.?
You may not miss a school competition to participate in a non-school sponsored competition during the IHSAA authorized contest season.