Julian Tackett says he could not just “wave a wand” and grant a waiver for a charity basketball game this week.
Kentucky High School Athletic Association commissioner Julian Tackett again emphasized on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports that he hopes member schools will change a bylaw that would allow players to play in charity basketball games like the one Reed Sheppard and Travis Perry wanted to participate in for eastern Kentucky flood relief.
However, he also again emphasized that he did not have the authority to ignore the rule or grant a waiver that would have allowed Sheppard, a Kentucky commit from North Laurel, or Perry, a Lyon County star who has a UK offer, to have played in the Midwest Charity Classic on Saturday that has now been canceled.
“It is always troublesome when people propose events at schools and schools do not ask about or inquire. We still have not heard from the schools and we normally wouldn’t because of the restrictions on kids playing. The schools know the rules,” Tackett said.
Sheppard, Perry, and up to 15 other four- and five-star players from across the country were listed as participants in a game that would have been played at Frederick Douglass High School.
“We saw bits of information about a game that would have been a violation by some of our kids,” Tackett said. “The rule prohibiting a player from participating in a basketball game like this once school starts and before the season predates me.”
Tackett said he understands the rule originated to avoid having basketball players on football teams miss time or girls playing volleyball or soccer from doing the same.
“We have suggested schools relax the rule between the start of school and the first day of practice,” Tackett said. “That suggestion was overwhelmingly rejected by the schools last year. Some rules have waiver procedures but this rule is iron-clad. There was no opportunity for a waiver.”
Tackett has been criticized heavily on social media for not letting Perry and Sheppard play which led to the game being canceled.
“I love the heck out of the fact we have two kids in our state being looked at by our flagship university but do you have a rule just for them? Do you say Power 5 kids do not have to adhere to rules? That’s not a good idea. This (charity game) may have sounded like a good idea but there were obstacles that could not be overcome in three weeks.”
“I hope our schools might decide to change this rule. It will be voted on again in September. Maybe the decision will be different. But I cannot just wave a wand and just waive a state regulation.”
4 Responses
He should have held a vote with all khsaa schools for a waiver. I’m sure that could have been done within atleast a weeks time by email. I doubt anyone would have voted no. It all sounds petty to me.
Don’t think he had authority to do that Jim
I say it fails when it comes to a vote.
Typical overreach by Kentucky High School athletics. Like the NCAA, these organizations overregulate, and someone needs to file a lawsuit against them. All these organizations need to simplify all rules and regulations. It is impossible to make the world idiot proof. Reform is long past due.