RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia lawmakers are considering a bill that would change how high school athletes are deemed eligible to play sports across the state.
The proposed legislation comes after former Varina High School athlete Darren Williams was benched by Henrico County Public Schools last year after officials questioned whether he lived full-time with his grandmother in the Varina district, despite remaining enrolled at the school. Months later, Williams transferred to St. James Academy, a private school in Springfield, Virginia.
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Under current Virginia High School League rules (VHSL), student-athletes are generally prohibited from transferring schools solely to play sports. Eligibility typically requires a bona fide change of family residence, and students who do not meet that requirement may face a 365-day period of ineligibility. Waivers and hardship exceptions are available through a formal appeals process.
Senate Bill 220, introduced by Senator Mike Jones (Va-D), would require the VHSL to revise its rules so that enrollment in a public high school, rather than residency, determines athletic eligibility. If passed, any student enrolled in a public high school would be allowed to participate in that school’s sports programs, regardless of where they live.
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“This is about the adults that get involved in it. It’s about the coaches that get upset that a kid is leaving their school,” Jones said. “I could give a flip who wins the high school state championship. What I care about is a kid getting to college, getting a degree and then getting a good job.”…