At its annual workshop meeting in State College yesterday, the PIAA board of directors addressed the competitive balance issue, reviewing the 2018 rule changes that are supposed to restore the balance between private (“non-boundary”) schools and public (“boundary”) schools. The board tentatively approved a motion to remove transfers as one of the factors in determining whether a school is moved up in class based on its success on the playing field. If the motion survives a final vote, it would take effect in the 2024-25 two-year cycle.
The transfer element in the 2018 rule makes all transfers after the start of a student’s sophomore year ineligible for the postseason for their first year at their new school.
The PIAA has also been considering making the use of Name, Image, & Likeness deals acceptable for high school athletes. Members approved a measure on Wednesday that would allow student-athletes to sign NIL endorsement deals. The student would not be permitted to reference the school, the team nickname, or the PIAA and would not be allowed to wear their school’s uniform or any apparel that identifies their school, and they could not endorse adult entertainment products and services, alcohol, controlled substances, gambling, or weapons, firearms, and ammunition. The policy must be approved at two subsequent meetings in order to pass.
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