Brownlee out
As amazing as it seems, Sam Brownlee is not eligible to wrestle for Canon-McMillan this season. The PIAA upheld the WPIAL's original decision that Brownlee transferred to C-M from Mt. Lebanon for athletic intent. What is so bizarre is that the PIAA did overturn the WPIAL decision that made Rob Gronkowski eligible to play football for Woodland Hills this season after transferring from a high school near Buffalo. Gronkowski's father said in a newspaper interview that one of the reasons why he transferred was because of the high level of competitive football.
How is this not athletic intent?
I don't know all the circumstances surrounding the Brownlee transfer. Maybe the PIAA took a dim view of him transferring during the school year. Gronkowski's came over the summer. But this is what I do know. The system seems to work out for some and not for others. The dividing point never seems to be in the same place.
My suggestion is this: either open the doors and let anyone who wants to transfer, do so or make every transfer sit out a year, no matter what the circumstances. That would stop these time-consuming eligibility hearings that seem uneven and, at times, unfair.
There is a lot to lose for any student who transfers during his or her high school career. You leave friends and family and enter a school district that may not be what you thought it was. I would imagine it would be a lonely transition and that there would even be resentment from athletes who get displaced from the lineup when a transfer moves in.
I can tell you this. Transferring to a different school is not going to get you a scholarship. Your athletic ability will. If you compete at a small school, you will not be overlooked by recruiters. Few athletes fall through the recruiting cracks because communication is so much more advanced now.
Scouting services, and the internet, for example, makes it easier to track an athlete who plays at Hickory, Ind., or Hollywood, Calif. Transferring to a larger program or a bigger school might give you more exposure but talent is the measuring stick for scholarships.
How is this not athletic intent?
I don't know all the circumstances surrounding the Brownlee transfer. Maybe the PIAA took a dim view of him transferring during the school year. Gronkowski's came over the summer. But this is what I do know. The system seems to work out for some and not for others. The dividing point never seems to be in the same place.
My suggestion is this: either open the doors and let anyone who wants to transfer, do so or make every transfer sit out a year, no matter what the circumstances. That would stop these time-consuming eligibility hearings that seem uneven and, at times, unfair.
There is a lot to lose for any student who transfers during his or her high school career. You leave friends and family and enter a school district that may not be what you thought it was. I would imagine it would be a lonely transition and that there would even be resentment from athletes who get displaced from the lineup when a transfer moves in.
I can tell you this. Transferring to a different school is not going to get you a scholarship. Your athletic ability will. If you compete at a small school, you will not be overlooked by recruiters. Few athletes fall through the recruiting cracks because communication is so much more advanced now.
Scouting services, and the internet, for example, makes it easier to track an athlete who plays at Hickory, Ind., or Hollywood, Calif. Transferring to a larger program or a bigger school might give you more exposure but talent is the measuring stick for scholarships.
posted by Joe Tuscano at
11:49 PM
3 Comments:
that so dumb, why does the PIAA or the WPIAL care what school a kid is at! Do they realy think that the kid goes to his parents and tells them that he wants to sell the house and move to a school with better sports?? I highly doubt it!
The problem with you is that you make too much sense.
that's aweful that they won't let him play, this is just messing up his whole wrestling career, and for what? nothing, no body is benefiting from this situation.
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