Senators Codey, Barnes Sponsor Legislation to Curtail 'Redshirting'

From the New Jersey Senate Democrats:

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Richard J. Codey and Sen. Peter J. Barnes aimed at curtailing the practice of students repeating sixth, seventh or eighth grade for the purpose of gaining an athletic advantage cleared the Senate Monday, March 14. The practice, commonly referred to as "redshirting," has been on the rise in New Jersey.

“Holding a child back to gain competitive advantage in sports is cheating. It diminishes good sportsmanship values and must not be allowed,” said Codey (D-Essex, Morris). “This bill is about ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for all kids playing sports in New Jersey.”

The bill, S-381, would prohibit school districts from joining voluntary associations that oversee statewide interscholastic sports programs unless the association requires that, when “hold-back repeat students” enter the ninth grade for the first time, they are only eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for the ensuing six consecutive semesters. “Hold-back repeat students” are defined as students who successfully completed the academic requirements that have been established for sixth through eighth grades and who repeat one or more of those grades for the purposes of gaining athletic advantage.

“The health and social benefits of participation in sports are undeniable, but we must not lose sight of the primary function of our schools, and that is to provide children with a solid education to enable their future success,” said Barnes (D-Middlesex). “Keeping children back to chase athletic aspirations chips away at the very foundation of school and sends the wrong message to our youth.”

Current rules of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, governing the state’s high school sports programs, indicate that student-athletes are eligible to compete as high school seniors provided that they do not turn 19 before Sept. 1 of the given school year. The rules also state that an athlete may only play interscholastic high school sports for eight consecutive semesters.

The bill cleared the Senate with a vote of 39-1 and heads to the Assembly for consideration.