Commissioner Rob Wigod is working to revise athletically motivated transfer rule

Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod said he has begun discussions with his fellow commissioners in the CIF about trying to revise the state rule that’s supposed to prevent students from transferring for athletic reasons.

He believes one aspect of rule 510 that is used to make a student ineligible _ “evidence of parental or student dissatisfaction with a coach or coaching decision at a former school” _ should be removed.

“We need to be consistent in applying our bylaws,” Wigod said Thursday in an interview. “I don’t think we can be consistent with what currently is in place.”

It has become clear that when students and parents keep quiet when transferring and don’t upset their former school, they’ll get approved even if everyone knows the move is for athletic reasons. But when someone speaks up and creates a record, then there’s problems. That’s causing the lack of consistency in enforcement of the athletically motivated transfer rule.

“If I’m a dropback passer and our new head coach wants to run an opton attack throwing the football three times a game, and there is no evidence of undue influence, following a coach, etc., why should we stand in the way?” Wigod said.

Wigod still supports restrictions on students who switch schools because they were recruited or followed a former coach. But he believes “dissatisfaction with a coach” shouldn’t be a reason to deny a student eligibility after transferring.

He’ll be discussing that issue with the nine other commissioners in the coming months.

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