The college student-athlete transfer portal now plays a bigger role than ever in the college sports environment. While many fans and coaches share their appreciation or vitriol for the long-held practice, in Texas, the concept of transferring schools for your sport could soon take on new life.
State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins introduced Bill 619, which if passed, would allow high school student-athletes to transfer schools and school districts one time for athletic purposes.
According to KSAT.com, “Currently, Texas law allows high school students to transfer schools for academic reasons, such as for magnet programs, but not for athletics.”
The bill has the chance to majorly change the state of high school athletics in Texas. Previously, students who transferred schools or districts risked punishment from the University Interscholastic League. Gervin-Hawkins bill states, “The University Interscholastic League may not penalize or sanction a student for transferring to a school district for an athletic participation purpose or penalize or sanction the school district that receives the transferring student if the transfer meets the requirements of Section 25.036(a-1).”
Gervin-Hawkins has brought the bill before the state representatives twice before, but it has always faced heavy opposition. Coaches and athletic directors alike have previously criticized the bill, specifically the recruiting it could encourage. However, Gervin-Hawkins had an answer to their concerns. She explained that the prohibited recruiting was already occurring, undetected, and said, “If we’re blessed with getting it passed, I would love to sit down with the coaches' association and work through what they believe would be a good model to follow.”
She said, “For me, sports are important for our youngsters. It really truly can be a vehicle out of poverty. I’m concerned that we are holding kids back that could move forward.”
If Bill 619 were to be successful this time around, it would go into effect on Sept. 1, 2025.
