Gov. Stitt signed new law opening transfers. OSSAA says eligibility rules still apply
Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association executive director David Jackson pushed back over the weekend against growing misconceptions surrounding Oklahoma’s high school athletics transparency bill that was signed into law.
In a statement sent to school administrators statewide, Jackson clarified that the OSSAA’s transfer eligibility rules, specifically OSSAA Rule 8, remain fully intact despite the recent passage of House Bill 2153.
The bill, signed into law May 15 by Gov. Kevin Stitt, increases oversight of the OSSAA by subjecting the organization to Oklahoma’s Open Meetings and Open Records Acts. The legislation also removes language in state law requiring a mandatory one-year sit-out period for transfer student-athletes.
That change sparked widespread confusion across Oklahoma high school athletics circles over whether immediate eligibility would now apply to all transfers statewide.
According to Jackson, that interpretation is incorrect and Rule 8 remains in affect.
"As the Governor signed HB 2153 into law, it was reported that by repealing the section of law that requires a sit-out period for transfer students, the one year sit out period was eliminated. That is not the case," Jackson said in an email to school administrators.
"We were in communication with the authors of the bill as well as many of the Education committee members on both sides of the chamber throughout its progression in the process. It was made clear that repealing that section of law was done to give OSSAA the flexibility to change our rule if needed. The OSSAA Rule 8 that governs eligibility for transfer students is still in place."
The clarification arrives months after Stitt publicly criticized the OSSAA during his final State of the State address in February.
Stitt called for the elimination of the OSSAA in his speech while advocating for major changes to Oklahoma’s high school athletics structure.
“In my 2026 State of the State, I made it clear that our goal is to protect the American Dream in Oklahoma by putting students and parents first,” Stitt said. “No child’s opportunities should be limited by their zip code. HB 2153 is another step toward an education system where families have real choices and where every student can succeed.”
The OSSAA’s current transfer process still operates under the organization’s revised Rule 8 guidelines approved in December 2023.
Under that policy, each student-athlete is granted one free transfer after establishing athletic eligibility at an initial school. The rule allows student-athletes to change schools one time without sitting out a year or moving into a new district.
The annual deadline for free transfers remains July 15 before each upcoming school year.
After that date, athletes seeking immediate eligibility must apply for a hardship waiver. Student-athletes who transfer before establishing initial athletic eligibility at a school are still subject to a mandatory one-year sit-out period.
The OSSAA also reiterated that recruitment violations remain grounds for immediate ineligibility.
"Changing schools without a bona-fide move still requires a one year sit out period unless granted a hardship waiver," Jackson said. "Please share this information with your school leaders as well as your patrons. We do not want families making decisions based on inaccurate information."
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @thejordancdavis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSSAA says transfer eligibility rules remain despite new Oklahoma law
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