The new rule adopted by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association OSSAA has sparked significant controversy, particularly among lawmakers and legal experts, due to its potential impact on student-athletes.
The rule prohibits students from participating in varsity sports for a year if they transfer to a district where a coach they worked with in summer camps or private training is employed.
Critics argue this undermines Oklahoma’s open-transfer law, which allows students to attend any public school with available space.
State Representative Jon Echols and other lawmakers view the rule as unfairly penalizing students and prioritizing coaches over children’s needs.
The rule, known as Rule 24, has already led to legal challenges, with Attorney General Gentner Drummond issuing a cease-and-desist order.
Drummond condemned the rule as arbitrary and contrary to legislative intent, which seeks to give families greater control over educational and athletic choices.
One notable case involves Kayleb Barnett, a star athlete whose family sued OSSAA when he was barred from playing after transferring schools.
The OSSAA eventually relented, reinstating Barnett’s eligibility. This case, along with the Attorney General’s intervention, may signal the beginning of broader legal challenges, as opponents argue the rule restricts student opportunities and fails to address legitimate concerns about recruitment or competitive balance.
Many hope that OSSAA will revise or repeal Rule 24 to align with state laws and ensure that student-athletes’ interests remain a priority.