CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey today applauded the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (SSAC) for adopting a more flexible and balanced student-athlete transfer rule following the passage of House Bill 4425.
“The SSAC is adopting a more flexible, common-sense approach,” said Governor Morrisey. “This new rule makes improvements to the previous policy - giving families greater flexibility while protecting competitive integrity and strengthening the communities that rally around their homegrown athletes. That is why I am proud to sign House Bill 4425 into law today.”
Under the newly adopted rule, student-athletes transferring during their freshman or sophomore years will retain eligibility, while transfer restrictions remain in place for upperclassmen. The rule applies equally to all students, including those participating through homeschool and scholarship programs.
“For many communities, high school sports are just as much about competition as they are about watching young athletes grow up together, representing their hometowns, and building pride in their schools,” Governor Morrisey said. “This framework preserves that tradition while recognizing the realities families face today.”
The Governor’s office engaged with SSAC leadership in recent weeks to encourage a more nuanced and flexible standard following legislative changes to the state’s transfer statute.
By restoring local control and implementing a structured but flexible rule, the SSAC’s action is expected to promote fair competition across schools while maintaining stability within athletic programs statewide.