s. 128 eliminates the High School League

s. 128 eliminates the South Carolina High School League and directs these duties in the Department of Education. There are several troubling things that have been happening behind the scenes with the High School League.
Here’s a few:
I attended a meeting just a couple of years ago with a man and his son (a student in the public virtual school) who wanted to run track at the local high school, the coach from the local school and a representative of the High School League. The coach told the son that the HSL forbade the school from allowing his participation. The HSL told the man and his son that they in no way could prohibit the son from participating or the school from accepting him on the team. We went around in a circle like this until the HSL finally admitted that any participation by a non-enrolled student would result in disqualification of the team. I sat in utter amazement at the cynicism with which both the school and the HSL almost mocked this man and his son as each tried to deny responsibility for their discrimination against him. It was insulting.
Last year I heard the story of a young lady who transferred from one high school to another because of a documented case of bullying. She attempted then to play volleyball at the new school. The HSL refused to let her play. The old school, the new school, and both coaches agreed in writing that the girl transferred because of bullying. The HSL refused to budge. They finally decided that the young lady could play jv for a year. This veritable Solomon simply added insult to the injury of this poor girl. Again, I find it offensive.
The HSL represents public and private school sports teams, however, after Christ Church won two consecutive football championships, they now see a need to segregate the playoffs. So much for competition.
Finally, I’m sure you’re aware of the recent controversy at Goose Creek HS. I won’t recount it here, but suffice to say that it was just another example of arbitrary power wielded in a way that eventually demeaned the very children we’re supposed to be looking out for.
I simply cannot stand by any longer and allow the children of our state (with parents paying taxes), who want nothing more than to play sports, to be subject to the kind of negligence and arrogance consistently demonstrated by the HSL. It has worn out its welcome, and it’s time for it to go.
Former Sen. Greg Ryberg (R-Aiken) affectionately referred to the High School League as the 4th branch of government. Enjoy: