Throughout Minnesota, private schools are attracting athletes from all over. “The high school says, wherever you start ninth grade is where your eligibility begins,” said Bucky Mieras, OHS Athletic Director. “For example, as a seventh grader, a kid could play a varsity sport at Orono, go to Benilde St. Margaret in eighth grade, and play a varsity sport there and then go play varsity for Mahtomedi High school as a freshman and still be eligible if they were enrolled at Mahtomedi beginning of their freshman year,” said Mieras.
Kids who are interested in playing for these powerhouse private schools sometimes come from all over the state, which means that they will have to transfer. Students who transfer have to go by the rules in what is called 300.00 Bylaws: Administration of Student Eligibility. The rules for transferring are straightforward. If you transfer to a school without moving in the district or falling under the eight circumstances, they are ineligible for one calendar year. The eight circumstance are…
Documented internal Board of Education policies regarding the movement of students within the school district.
Adoption, abandonment, or death of a parent.
A documented negative change in the economic status of the student’s parents which requires the student to return to the public school located in the attendance area where the student’s parents reside.
If the student was bullied or abused in anyway at their previous school
Enrollment in an Advanced Placement program, an International Baccalaureate program or similar advanced academic program not offered at the school the student attends.
Administrative error in addressing a student’s initial eligibility.
Completion of licensed program for treatment of alcohol or substance abuse, mental illness or emotional disturbance provided all other eligibility rules are followed.
Other conditions not covered above but which may be agreed to by both the Sending and Receiving Schools.
There are rumors out there that private schools recruit student-athletes. “You will hear rumors,” said Mieras. “I live in half truths, their [families] truths, and the real truths.” Recruiting a student athlete is against the MSHSL league rules. If a school is accused of recruiting, an investigation is launched against the school. “I feel like recruiting happens in hockey more than any other sport,” said junior Connor Avery. According to an article published by the MinnPost, “Many of them [private schools] offer scholarships to attend, a benefit allowing some private schools to openly recruit the best players in Minnesota, in the upper Midwest and even, in some cases, internationally.” Private schools have used the rules to their advantage.
“Private schools have the upper hand in getting best because they can offer scholarships and other things public schools cannot offer,” said Nick Schroeder. Although private schools are good at sports, public schools can compete with them. “I am proud of our programs,” said Mieras.
“I think playing private schools is good for the school, even if they recruit or not. It brings the best out of our team and makes us compete at our greatest level. In a way, private schools help public schools in all kinds of ways,” said Schroeder.
Pete Makarov, Sports Editor, The Spartan Speaks
