[Mr. Blonde]

there's no way in hell a 19 year-old should be allowed to play high school sports.

I think this would largely result in very few seniors playing sports, especially spring sports. I turned 19 in the middle of my main sport, wrestling. You think the rule should be once you hit 19 you are done?

I was held back but not for sports, the more important issue of I hadn't learned my numbers or letters in Kindergarten.

[Alberta's Child]

I believe my state (New Jersey) has a rule -- or used to have a rule -- that's even more restrictive than that . . . it says a high school student is ineligible to play even as an 18 year-old if he/she turns 19 during that academic year.

What's becoming more and more clear to me over time is that these sports programs should be run completely independently of schools. In fact, I think we're starting to see a serious move towards this kind of paradigm right now.

[Alberta's Child]

An interesting option would be to allow junior-high kids to play high school sports if they fit the age requirements. This would enable them to get four years of eligibility regardless of what their personal circumstances are.