Student Athlete Eligibility Changes Likely Even as Bill Fails on North Dakota House Floor

Matthew Fetsch, executive director of the North Dakota High School Activities Association. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(Michael Achterling – North Dakota Monitor) – A bill that sought to loosen North Dakota high school athletic eligibility requirements failed  after the activities association pledged to address concerns raised by families.

House Bill 1491, sponsored by Rep. Nico Rios, R-Williston, would have eliminated the one-year prohibition for students competing in varsity sports after moving into a new school district.

During the public hearing for the bill, high school swimmer Kambree Draper of Bismarck said she was not allowed to compete at the varsity level because her father was still living in Williston after she and her mother moved to Bismarck. Her hardship request was denied by the association.

Rep. Pat Heinert, R-Bismarck, said he believes the bill got the attention of the North Dakota High School Activities Association, the group that governs high school sports and fine arts in the state, and he expects changes to the organization’s policies surrounding high school transfer eligibility in coming months.