FL House tackles high school athletic recruiting

By Janette Spencer-Davis / Florida Courier

High school football players, left to right, James Davis, Gregory Smith and Roderick Battle. From courting foreign athletes to enlisting boosters in the hunt for stars, some Florida high schools have recruited in unconventional ways.

TALLAHASSEE-The House Pre-K-12 Education Committee voted 8-0 last week to support a bill (HB 7119) creating a student athlete recruiting task force and funding a separate office to independently review recruiting violations. Some people don't think a task force is necessary. Hillsborough High football coach Earl Garcia, of Tampa, said it would waste taxpayer money. He said he doesn't understand how education officials can talk about the importance of school choice, yet prevent students from transferring for sports reasons.

Speaking of athletes, Garcia said: "You can't make them stay if they want to go." More than 7,300 students transferred from one Hillsborough County high school to another last year, and 4,600 have so far this year. It is impossible to determine how many transferred for sports reasons, Hillsborough district spokeswoman Kristin Waskiewicz said. In January, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) revised its bylaws to prevent an athlete from participating in varsity athletics for one year if he or she transfers.

The rule, which takes effect for the 2007-08 school year, doesn't include students who must change schools because their household is moving. The House committee heard testimony last month on the rule change. People supporting the change said it would hinder those recruiting athletes at other high schools; opponents said it interfered with school choice. The task force would study Florida high school recruiting procedures, protecting the integrity of athletics while keeping school choice in mind, the committee decided. Additionally, the task force would review current and proposed procedures used to recruit middle school athletes.

It would also analyze how to prevent improper recruiting, including what penalties should be assessed for recruiting violations. The 13-member group would include six proponents and six opponents of the current bylaws, with a chairman appointed by the governor. The group would hold its first meeting before June 2 and submit recommendations to the governor, Senate President and House Speaker by Jan. 1. After offering recommendations, the task force would dissolve. The state would appropriate $60,000 for the task force. Task force members wouldn't be paid but would be reimbursed for expenses.

If the bill passes, it also would require the state Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct a $50,000 independent review of recruiting violations. FHSAA Commissioner John Stewart said the bill would benefit state sports. Some schools recruit foreign athletes, he said, and some students further their athletic careers by transferring multiple times. "If the task force comes back with opinions, we're going to abide by them," Stewart said. Rep. Rafael Arza, R-Hialeah, said the task force is necessary.