Introduction
The membership of the Michigan High
School Athletic Association has developed through their elected
representatives and adopted by each local board of education/governing
board a single regulation (Regulation III) with 13 inter-related
sections which list the essential eligibility requirements for
junior high/middle school interscholastic athletic competition.
These sections establish the threshold (minimum standards) and
boundaries (maximum limitations) for all qualified participants
within the interscholastic athletic program, and they work together
to define and preserve the fundamental nature of the program.
Regulations III & IV apply to all member junior high/middle schools having seventh and/or eighth grades, both for boys and girls interscholastic athletic competition. Ninth graders housed in junior high/middle school buildings must comply with Regulation I.
The Junior High/Middle School Committee reminds
schools of the overall philosophy of junior high/middle school
athletics. The program should parallel that of the academic philosophy
of junior high/middle schools. It should encourage participation
and experiences in a variety of activities. Keep in mind that
the goal of “winning” must be superseded by the goal
of “participation.”
SECTION 1—ENROLLMENT—GRADES
OF WORK
SECTION 1 (A)—To be eligible for interscholastic athletics,
a student must be enrolled in a junior high/middle school not
later than the fourth Friday after Labor Day (First Semester)
or the fourth Friday of February (Second Semester). Unless a specific
exception stated in this section or Section 8, a student must
be enrolled in at least 50% of his/her current course load in
the school for which he or she competes.
SECTION 1 (B)—No student who carries fifty percent (50%)
of his or her work in the tenth grade, or who through credits
earned, is entitled to carry fifty percent (50%) of his or her
work in the tenth grade, shall be eligible for athletic competition
between junior high/middle schools except as provided in Section
6 of this Regulation. (1976)
SECTION 1 (C)—No student who is enrolled in the sixth grade
or below may compete on the same team with or against seventh
and/or eighth graders.
SECTION 1 (D)—Two or more MEMBER junior high/middle schools
may conduct, with the approval of the Executive Committee, a cooperative
program in the specific sports for which application has been
made and approval has been granted. Programs are limited to grades
seven and eight and may include grade nine only if it is not a
part of the senior high school enrollment figure or athletic program.
(1989)
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 1
(Interpretations 1-11 of Regulation I, Section 1 are applicable
to junior high/ middle schools.)
222. Students in the sixth grade or below may participate against
one another in athletic contests or events at the site of, but
not the same time as students in grade seven or above compete.
The scoring of such contests or events may not be a part of the
scoring for the events involving students in grades seven or above.
223. With district administration approval, students in the sixth
grade may observe or participate in practices at the same site
and time as students in grades seven and eight if the schools
are part of the same district. However, sixth grade students shall
not engage in direct competition with seventh and eighth grade
students. The catastrophic medical insurance purchased by the
MHSAA does not cover these sixth graders.
SECTION 2—AGE
SECTION 2 (A)—A seventh grade student who competes in any
interscholastic athletic contest must be under fourteen (14) years
of age, except that a student whose (14th) birthday occurs on
or after September 1 of a current school year is eligible for
the balance of that school year. Any seventh grade student born
before September 1, 1986, is ineligible for interscholastic athletics
in Michigan except that he or she may play on the eighth grade
or ninth grade squad of that junior high school. A fourteen-year-old
seventh grade student is allowed to compete on a team of combined
seventh and eighth grade students. In each case all other regulations
pertaining to eligibility must be met.
SECTION 2 (B)—An eighth grade student who competes in any
interscholastic athletic contest must be under fifteen (15) years
of age, except that a student whose (15th) birthday occurs on
or after September 1 of a current school year is eligible for
the balance of that school year. Any eighth grade student born
before September 1, 1985, is ineligible for interscholastic athletics
in Michigan except that he or she may play on the ninth grade
squad of that junior high school, provided all other regulations
pertaining to eligibility are met.
SECTION 2 (C)—If the local school administration and parents
can agree and arrange, seventh and eighth grade students who are
eligible for junior high/middle school in all respects except
that they became 15 years old before September 1 may participate
in a 9-12 grade program, even if it is in a separate building.
Those students would be limited to four years of high school eligibility
and all other regulations would apply (including the requirement
to be doing passing work in at least four full-credit junior high/middle
school courses). Ninth grade students of a 10-12 high school system
who are eligible in all respects, except that they became 16 years
of age before September 1, may participate in the 10-12 program.
Application for these options must be made and approved on MHSAA
“Eligibility Advancement Applications.” (1991)
SECTION 2 (D)—Ninth grade students competing with or against
seventh and/or eighth grade students must not have reached their
sixteenth (16) birthday prior to September 1 of a current school
year. (1973)
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 2
(Interpretation 15 of Regulation I, Section 2 is applicable to
junior high/middle schools.)
224. It is permissible that seventh graders may play on eighth
or ninth grade teams, and eighth graders may play on ninth grade
teams competing under junior high/middle school regulations.
SECTION
3—PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
SECTION 3—No student shall be eligible to represent a junior
high/middle school for whom there is not on file in the offices
of the Superintendent or Principal of that school a statement
for the current school year certifying that the student has passed
a physical examination and is physically able to compete in athletic
practice and contests.
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 3
(Interpretations 16-20 of Regulation I, Section 3 are applicable
to junior high/middle schools.)
SECTION
4—SEMESTERS OF ENROLLMENT
SECTION 4-Students in grades seven or eight are not limited in
the number of semesters in which they may be eligible for interscholastic
athletics. Ninth grade students in junior high/middle and senior
high schools are eligible for the number of semesters of enrollment
according to Regulation I, Section 4.
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 4
(Interpretations 21-27 of Regulation I, Section 4 are applicable
to junior high/middle schools.)
224. If a 9th grader in a 3-year junior high/middle school withdraws
from school (is marked “left”) before the fourth Friday
after Labor Day (First Semester) or the fourth Friday in February
(Second Semester), and that student has not participated in an
interscholastic athletic contest prior to withdrawal from the
school, that period of attendance is not charged as a semester
of enrollment.
SECTION
5—SEMESTERS OF COMPETITION
SECTION 5—Students enrolled in grades 7 or 8 are not limited
in the number of semesters of competition. Ninth grade students
in junior high/middle schools and senior high schools are limited
in the number of semesters of competition as in Regulation I,
Section 5. (1976)
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 5
(Interpretations 28-33 of Regulation I, Section 5 are applicable
to junior high/middle schools.)
226. Participation in one or more interscholastic athletic scrimmages
or contests is considered a semester of competition and should
be so included on Master Eligibility Lists (Form-1) under the
heading Number of Seasons of Participation in this Sport Including
Present Season. This applies to 9th graders in a three-year junior
high/middle school.
SECTION
6—UNDERGRADUATE STANDING
SECTION 6—Seventh and eighth grade students who have satisfactorily
completed enough credits to advance from a junior high/middle
school may continue to be eligible to represent that school as
long as the student has not advanced and is eligible in all other
respects.
SECTION
7—PREVIOUS SEMESTER RECORD
SECTION 7 (A)—No student shall compete in any junior high/middle
school athletic contest during the current semester who does not
have to his or her credit on the books of the school represented,
a passing grade for the last semester as defined below in at least
fifty percent (50%) of the total periods of work carried. A semester
is a period during which a student has been enrolled in grades
seven or eight, prior to the fourth Friday after Labor Day or
the fourth Friday of February, or during which he or she shall
have taken part in any interscholastic athletic contests. A first
year junior high/middle school student may compete without reference
to his or her record in the sixth grade.
SECTION 7 (B)—In determining the number of hours of credit
received during a semester under this Section, the usual credit
allowed by the school shall be given. However, reviews and extra-curricular
work, and work for which credit previously has been received,
shall not be counted. (1972)
SECTION 7 (C)—Deficiencies of the previous semester (not
current semester), including incompletes, conditions, and failures
from a previous semester may be made up during a subsequent semester,
summer session, night school, by correspondence or by tutoring.
Eligibility may be reinstated during the next semester when the
school accepts the credit. (1972)
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 7
(Interpretations 37-43 of Regulation I, Section 7 are applicable
to junior high/middle schools.)
SECTION
8—CURRENT SEMESTER RECORD
SECTION 8—Academic eligibility checks of not more than ten
weeks are required. If, when checked, a student is not passing
at least fifty percent (50%) of a full class load for a regularly
enrolled full-time student, that student is ineligible for competition
until the next check but not less than for the next Monday through
Sunday. If the next eligibility check reveals the student is still
not passing at least fifty percent (50%) of a full class load
of a regularly enrolled full-time student, that student is ineligible
for competition for not less than the next Monday through Sunday,
and so on until the student is passing (50%) of the credit hours
from the start of the semester through the most recent eligibility
check. Reviews and extra-curricular work, and work for which credit
previously has been received, shall not be counted.
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 8
(Interpretations 45-46 of Regulation I, Section 8 are binding,
where applicable to junior high/middle schools.)
227. If a student is enrolled in a junior high/middle school
from which he or she expects to graduate, and where the student’s
basic records are filed, and that junior high/middle school sponsors
no interscholastic athletic program in any sport, such student
may take shared-time work in another school. That student may
participate in interscholastic athletic activities as a representative
of the second school, provided he or she is taking at least 50%
of the total periods of work required for regularly enrolled full-time
students in the latter school and passing them. It is to be understood
that such student complies with all other Eligibility Regulations.
228. A regularly enrolled junior high school student may take
courses in advance of the junior high school level during the
first or second semester of a current school year. These courses
may be included for high school graduation and for current athletic
eligibility purposes in the junior high school as long as the
student is passing 50 percent of the total periods of work carried
at both schools.
Semesters in which this occurs do not count toward the maximum
of eight semesters of eligibility allowed at the high school level.
SECTION 9—TRANSFERS
SECTION 9 (A)—Section 9 (transfer) does not apply to seventh
and eight grade students. A ninth grade student who transfers
from one high school or junior high/middle school to another is
ineligible to participate in an interscholastic athletic contest
for one full semester in the school to which he or she transfers,
in accordance with Regulation I, Section 9 and appropriate interpretations.
SECTION 9 (B)—A student entering the ninth grade for the
first time in any junior high/middle school or senior high school
and who has not utilized the advanced eligibility provision is
immediately eligible under the transfer regulation regardless
of where that student attended the eighth grade. (1971) This does
not exempt students from other Sections of this Regulation, including
Undue Influence. (1997)
SECTION 9 (C)—A full semester is defined under this Rule
as one in which a transfer occurred not later than fourth Friday
after Labor Day in the first semester or the fourth Friday of
February in the second semester, or 90 school days from the date
of enrollment in the receiving school for those requests approved
by the Executive Committee. (1991)
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 9
(Interpretation 69 of Regulation I, Section 9 is applicable to
jr. high/middle schools.)
226. A ninth grade student who participated in the 9-12 grade
program as an eighth grader is eligible immediately only at the
same 9-12 grade school for which he or she had participated as
an eighth grader.
SECTION
10—UNDUE INFLUENCE
SECTION 10—The use of undue influence for athletic purposes
by any person or persons directly or indirectly associated with
the school to secure or encourage the attendance of a student
or the student’s parents or guardians as residents of the
school district, shall cause the student to become ineligible
for a minimum of one semester and a maximum of one year. The offending
school shall be placed on probation for one year and offending
coach or coaches not be permitted to coach for a one-year period.
Examples of undue influence would include but not be limited to
offers of or acceptance of: financial aid to parents, guardians
or student; reduced or eliminated tuition and/or fees; any special
privileges not accorded to other students, whether athletes or
not; transportation allowances; preference in job assignments;
room, board or clothing; promotional efforts and admission policies
for athletes which are in excess of efforts for other students.
(1975)
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 10
(Interpretations 89-110 of Regulation I, Section 10 are applicable
to junior high/middle schools.)
SECTION
11—AWARDS
SECTION 11 (A)—A student may accept, for participation in
athletics, a symbolic or merchandise award which does not have
a value or cost in excess of $15.
SECTION 11 (B)—Awards for athletic participation in the form
of cash, merchandise certificates, or any other type of negotiable
documents are never allowed.
SECTION 11 (C)—Banquets, luncheons, dinners, non-competitive
trips, and fees or admissions to be a spectator at events, if
accepted
in kind, are permitted under this Regulation.
SECTION 11 (D)—A student shall be ineligible under this Regulation
if he/she accepts awards in violation of its provisions only in
the following activities: baseball, basketball, girls competitive
cheer, cross country, football, (11-man, 8-man, or 6-man), golf,
girls gymnastics, ice hockey, skiing, soccer, girls softball,
swimming, tennis, track, girls volleyball, or wrestling. (1977)
SECTION 11 (E)—A student violating this Regulation shall
be ineligible for interscholastic competition for a period of
not less than one full semester from the date of the student’s
last violation. (1954)
SECTION 11 (F)—A full semester is defined under this Regulation
as one in which a violation occurs not later than the fourth Friday
after Labor Day in the first semester, and the fourth Friday of
February in the second semester. If the violation occurs after
either date a student is ineligible for the balance of that semester
and the succeeding semester.
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 11
(Interpretations 102-112 of Regulation I, Section 11 are applicable
to junior high/middle schools.)
SECTION
12—AMATEUR STATUS
SECTION 12 (A)—After once representing an MHSAA school in
competition in any sport, a junior high/middle school student
shall not be eligible to represent his or her school if that student:
(1) receives money or other valuable considerations from any source
for participating in athletics, sports, or games listed in Section
B; (2) receives money or other valuable consideration for officiating
in interscholastic athletic contests, or (3) signs a professional
athletic contract. (1987)
SECTION 12 (B)—A student shall be ineligible under this Regulation
if he or she violates its amateur provisions in any of the following
activities: baseball, basketball, girls competitive cheer, cross
country, football, (11-man, 8-man or 6-man), golf, girls gymnastics,
ice hockey, skiing, soccer, girls softball, swimming, tennis,
track, girls volleyball or wrestling. (1977)
SECTION 12 (C)—A student ineligible under this Regulation
may not apply for reinstatement until the equivalent of one full
school year of enrollment has elapsed following the date of his
or her last violation. (1925)
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 12
(Interpretations 113-127 of Regulation I, Section 12 are applicable
to junior high/middle schools.)
SECTION 13—LIMITED
TEAM MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 13 (A)—A student who, after practicing with or participating
in an athletic contest or scrimmage as a member of a junior high/middle
school athletic team, participates in any athletic competition
not sponsored by his or her school in the same sport during the
same season, shall become ineligible for a minimum of the next
two (2) days of competition and a maximum of the remainder of
that season in that school year. (1998)
The following exceptions to this regulation will apply:
1. Ice hockey and all individual sports will apply the limited
team membership rule from the point of a student’s first
participation in a contest or scrimmage, rather than practice.
(1989)
2. During a season an individual may participate in a maximum
of two (2) individual sports meets or contests during that sport
season of a school year while not representing his or her school.
An event held on consecutive days is considered a single meet
(for the purposes of this section only).
SECTION 13 (B)—A junior high/middle school student who has
competed on a senior high school athletic team shall be ineligible
for junior high/middle school athletics, except that a ninth grade
student who has competed on a high school team in a school organized
on the 8-4 plan, still is eligible under this Regulation for junior
high/middle school competition if that student transfers to a
junior high/middle school. (1946)
SECTION 13 (C)—A student shall not compete at any time in
any sport under MHSAA jurisdiction in any of the following events:
(1) “All-Star” contests, regardless of the method of
selection; (2) “All-Star” fund-raising events or similar
exhibitions if they involve contestants other than the students
and faculty of that student’s school; (3) Any event which
is or purports to be a national junior high school championship,
or the qualification thereto. Participation in such a contest
by a junior high/middle school student shall cause that student
to become ineligible for all interscholastic athletics for a maximum
period of one year of school enrollment from the date of the athlete’s
last violation of this Regulation.
SECTION 13 (D)—A student may participate as an individual
at any time without loss of interscholastic eligibility:
1. As a member of a National Team (and the actual, direct tryouts
therefore), which is defined as one selected by the national governing
body of the sport on a national qualification basis either through
a defined selective process or actual tryouts for the purpose
of international competition which requires the entries to officially
represent their respective nations, although it is not necessary
there be team scoring by nation; or
2. In an Olympic Development Program, which is defined as a training
program or competition:
a. conducted or sponsored by the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC); or
b. directly funded and conducted by the USOC member national governing
body (NGB) on a national level (e.g., NGB national championship
competition and the direct qualifications therefore); or
c. specifically authorized by a national governing body involving
only athletes previously identified by the NGB as having having
bona-fide potential for participation in international competition
in the sport involved.
Provided in (1) and (2)
a. participation, if during the school year, is approved by the
student’s high school principal, and the state high school
association is notified in writing by the principal at least 30
days prior to the start of the program; and
b. the student makes prior arrangement to complete missed academic
lessons, assignments and tests before the last day of classes
of the credit grading period in which that student’s absence
occurs.
INTERPRETATIONS—SECTION 13
(Interpretations 127-143 of Regulation I, Section 13 are applicable
to junior high/middle schools.)