Promoting Equity and Fairness in State Athletic Associations’ Transfer Eligibility Rules for Student Athletes

WHEREAS, The NAACP, as the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, remains committed to protecting the rights and opportunities of all youth, especially those from historically marginalized communities; and 

WHEREAS, Interscholastic athletics play a critical role in youth development enhancing leadership, college access, and scholarship opportunities with over 7.9 million high school students participating in 2022-2023 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS); and 

WHEREAS, State athletic associations enforce restrictive or inconsistent transfer eligibility rules that disproportionately impact students of color and low-income families, particularly those transferring due to academic needs, school closures, housing insecurity, racial harassment, or safety concerns; and 

WHEREAS, A 2019 Civil Rights Project study revealed that Black student-athletes in some states were nearly 2.5 times more likely than white peers to be ruled ineligible post-transfer, suggesting racial bias and a lack of culturally competent review; and

WHEREAS, Most eligibility policies lack equitable design, transparent criteria, timely decisions, or fair appeal processes often resulting in unjustified year-long suspensions from athletic participation; and 

WHEREAS, Such exclusions limit students' visibility to recruiters and jeopardize access to over $3.6 billion in athletic scholarships, further banning pathways to higher education and social mobility for Black and low-income youth; and 

WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has affirmed that access to athletics is an extension of educational rights and thus protected under federal civil rights laws. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP urges the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and all member associations to conduct a national equity audit of transfer eligibility rules to ensure alignment with civil rights protections and best practices. 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls on state legislatures and departments of education to establish oversight mechanisms that prevent athletic eligibility policies from perpetuating racial and economic disparities and promote inclusive educational access.