Father pushes bill to change high school transfer rules
(The Center Square) – An Illinois father says his daughter is at the center of legislation to shift transfer eligibility decisions from the Illinois High School Association to principals.
Dan Matzen told The Center Square his daughter, Makayla, transferred from Morris Community High School to Yorkville Christian High School for reasons that did not involve athletics.
“It had nothing to do with that. It had something to do with her mentality, getting a better education. She has a lot of faith,” Matzen told The Center Square.
Dan Matzen said Makayla finished her freshman year at Morris before transferring to Yorkville Christian for her current sophomore year.
The IHSA ruled to limit his daughter’s athletic eligibility until May 30, 2027.
“She can only play JV sports. She cannot play varsity sports or state series,” Matzen said.
Matzen said his daughter was not recruited and did not play varsity basketball at her previous school. He said both schools supported her transfer.
Following an appeal, the IHSA hearing board met on August 12 and sustained the decision to restrict Makayla’s eligibility.
When asked by The Center Square on Monday, an IHSA spokesperson said the agency is not able to comment on specific cases.
Matzen said he reached out to state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, who filed House Bill 5808 on August 25.
The measure would allow high school student athletes to transfer with full eligibility if both the sending and receiving schools provide written consent.
“The schools know the student, the parents know the student and we know what is best for the student. The IHSA, they do not know anything about the students and why there is a move or anything else,” Matzen said.
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said transfer eligibility decisions should be based on rules its membership agreed to.
“This bill really puts pressure on principals. Now they’re the ones who are establishing the guidance of transfer students and making those ultimate decisions,” Anderson told The Center Square earlier this month.
Also this month, state Reps. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, and Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, signed on chief co-sponsors of HB 5808.
The General Assembly may take up the legislation during fall veto session from Nov. 17-19 and Dec. 1-3.
Sunny
