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Wimberly in Letter to NJSIAA Calls Changes to the Transfer Rule: "Overbroad and Unduly Punitive In Its Application"

NJSIAA is Scheduled to Discuss the Proposed Ruling Wednesday Evening

(PATERSON) – Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic) sent a letter on Tuesday to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association President opposing the recently proposed changes to the NJSIAA Transfer Rule and urging consideration of student-athletes in challenging situations that require them to change school districts.

“The proposed ruling does not include an appeal process for students and their families,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic). “There are student and family circumstances that were not considered while writing this transfer ruling proposal. We do not want the entire student athlete population to be punished for the less than 1% that are taking advantage of transfer privileges.”

“This rule, although it aims to protect and preserve the integrity of interscholastic competition, appears to be overbroad and unduly punitive in its application,” said Wimberly in the letter. “As an Assemblyman, Parent, and Coach of both football and baseball in this state since 1989, I am particularly concerned that this rule (as proposed) will have an adverse impact on New Jersey interscholastic sports, as well as student-athletes throughout the state.”

The NJSIAA board is scheduled to present the Transfer Rule proposal on Wednesday, January 11.

“To enforce such a strict ruling to address less than 1% of the student-athlete population in an effort to “reduce the movement of student-athletes for athletic advantage” would have wholly unfair and extreme effects on high school sports programs throughout the state,” continued Wimberly. “More importantly, on student-athletes who have bona-fide reasons for desiring a transfer of schools. For example, a student-athletes’ family may live in a high-crime area and want to move in order to experience a better quality of life.”