CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – The West Virginia Standing Committee on Education met Monday to discuss House Bill 2355.
The bill’s sponsor, Del. Joe Statler, R-Monongalia, said it would get rid of restrictions for middle and high school students wanting to play on travel teams.
Jay Cipoletti, head coach of the girl’s soccer team for John Adams Middle School, said he’s seen the side effects of the current rules.
“Getting an opportunity to play in front of a college coach at 12 or 13 years old is a tremendous opportunity that we do not grant our athletes in West Virginia,” Cipoletti said.
The WVSSAC has restrictions on how many games and practices players can participate in. WVSSAC Executive Director David Price said that’s for a reason.
“The lack of oversight and the time that they get into that, the risk of injury does increase and we know that,” Price said.
Price also said giving school sports the priority is better for developing student athletes.
“I’m letting somebody down that I’ve committed to, so what are we teaching kids outside of that and I know that’s a philosophical thing, but that’s always in the back of my mind of how we honor that and how we do that and keep that an extension of the classroom,” he said.
Cipoletti told lawmakers that from his experience coaching, controlling the risk of injury and commitment can be done correctly.
“As long as it’s managed, it’s not an issue and more can be better as long as it’s managed with all the people involved.”
Cipoletti said he’s seen students struggle to make decisions when playing with teammates from bordering states without the same rules.
“They have players from Kentucky who can play both sports and from West Virginia who can only play their school sport or can only play their club sport during the fall. The unfortunate result is the West Virginia kids don’t play school, middle school in the fall.”
The sponsor of the bill, Del. Joe Statler, said if students have games with schedule conflicts, priority would be given to school sports.
Lawmakers say the bill goes to the mark up and passage stage at the next committee meeting where it would be voted on to amend or send to the House floor.
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