Transfer rules help send talent to Christ School football program
Sidney Gibbs watched the 2016 football season from the sidelines, wearing jeans and his Owen jersey while he stood on crutches, nursing a torn right ACL.
On Saturday, he marked his return to high school football by rushing for 281 yards and scoring four touchdowns. The jersey on his back, however, had changed.
Gibbs transferred to Christ School in June to keep a year of eligibility. His younger brother, sophomore Saevion Gibbs, made the move with him.
It’s a decision that drew the ire of local fans through social media.
“Those people don’t control my life,” Gibbs said “My family and I believed this was the best decision to make for the future.”
Coach Mark Moroz – now in his seventh year with the Greenies – is not immune to the accusations that his program recruits local players. Those rumors, he said, are unfounded.
“We are a boarding school, eighth through 12th grade. They’ve all got to come from somewhere. We don’t have a middle school feeding into us,” said Moroz, who has led his team to the NCISAA state championship three times in the past five years. “I’ve never broken any rules with recruiting – we are very strict with that – and I think it’s our school itself that does a great job attracting kids from all over.”
According to Christ School's front office, 94 of its 290 students are day students and do not board.
Buncombe County District Athletic Specialist David Ball, who helps run the athletic programs at the county’s six high schools, has noted the frustration from area coaches who lose athletes to private schools but said he has never seen evidence of recruiting.
“Sure, it’s tough to lose those kids, but parents are the ones making these moves,” Ball said. “Parents are willing to do whatever it takes to work their kid into the best situation possible.”
Owen coach Nathan Padgett said it was a tough moment for his program after the Gibbs brothers transferred, particularly Sidney, who rushed for 1,750 yards as a sophomore for the Warhorses.
Sidney was expected to be Owen’s starting running back in 2017.
“If a family decides that a private school is the best decision for them, then I do think it’s something they should consider,” Padgett said. “But in terms of our program, where we are now, we are going to stay committed to those who are still here.”
Private schools do enjoy the upper hand when it comes to transfer rules in North Carolina.
A new rule implemented in May by the N.C. High School Athletic Association has bolstered the transfer rules for public school athletes.
The new rule states that athletes who do not change residence are now required to get signed permission from their new and old high school principals to be allowed to play sports. If one principal decides not to sign, the transfer will be brought in front of the NCHSAA executive committee for a decision. If the transfer is deemed solely for athletic purposes, the student must sit out 365 days or two consecutive semesters, whichever comes first.
“Private and boarding schools don’t fall under our jurisdiction,” NCHSAA spokesperson James Alverson said. “They don’t have to abide by our rules.
Christ School Headmaster Paul Krieger said the school does not offer athletic scholarships "period," which abides by the rules of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Associations.
"All our tuition assistance is based on a 'need-blind' basis," Krieger said in an email. "If a family qualifies, only then can need-based financial aid be considered and awarded."
Only one student at the school does not pay any tuition, according to Krieger.
Earlier this month, Reynolds senior defensive back Kaedin Robinson transferred to Christ School after suffering the same injury as Gibbs during the first scrimmage of the 2017 season. The transfer gives Robinson an opportunity to reclassify his senior season for 2018 while he recovers from his injury.
“Reclassification really gives kids another year to mature or sometimes to help get their grades up to get into a better college,” Moroz said. “It’s something that really benefits them.”
Christ School athletic rules states students can continue to participate in athletics if they turn 19 after Aug. 1.
Robinson was selected to the All-MAC team in 2016 and to the Citizen-Times All-WNC team for his work on special teams.
While Christ School’s football program acquires talent from the Western North Carolina area, it also offers an international flair to its roster.
Five countries – Canada, United States, Bahamas, China and Kenya – are represented on the roster, including Yuan Chen Zhao, a 6-foot-1, 340-pound senior lineman from Beijing.
“I was always bigger than everyone in China, but I found a sport that loves big guys like me,” Zhao said. “It’s been an amazing experience to play here with guys from around the world.”
Other players, like starting quarterback Wes Shuler, 17, transferred this year from Christian Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee, and reclassified as a junior. His cousin, sophomore Navy Shuler – the team’s original starting quarterback before an arm injury – also attends Christ School, one of the reasons Wes said he decided to transfer.
Having new quarterbacks coach Tommy Langford, who spent the past five years at IMG Academy in Florida, was also a draw.
Last week, Shuler helped the Greenies beat his former team, 28-11.
“I came on a visit and it just felt right,” Shuler said. “This is a place where you can become a better student, a better athlete and a better person.”
Sidney Gibbs watched the 2016 football season from the sidelines, wearing jeans and his Owen jersey while he stood on crutches, nursing a torn right ACL.
On Saturday, he marked his return to high school football by rushing for 281 yards and scoring four touchdowns. The jersey on his back, however, had changed.
Gibbs transferred to Christ School in June to keep a year of eligibility. His younger brother, sophomore Saevion Gibbs, made the move with him.
It’s a decision that drew the ire of local fans through social media.
“Those people don’t control my life,” Gibbs said “My family and I believed this was the best decision to make for the future.”
Coach Mark Moroz – now in his seventh year with the Greenies – is not immune to the accusations that his program recruits local players. Those rumors, he said, are unfounded.
“We are a boarding school, eighth through 12th grade. They’ve all got to come from somewhere. We don’t have a middle school feeding into us,” said Moroz, who has led his team to the NCISAA state championship three times in the past five years. “I’ve never broken any rules with recruiting – we are very strict with that – and I think it’s our school itself that does a great job attracting kids from all over.”
According to Christ School's front office, 94 of its 290 students are day students and do not board.
Buncombe County District Athletic Specialist David Ball, who helps run the athletic programs at the county’s six high schools, has noted the frustration from area coaches who lose athletes to private schools but said he has never seen evidence of recruiting.
“Sure, it’s tough to lose those kids, but parents are the ones making these moves,” Ball said. “Parents are willing to do whatever it takes to work their kid into the best situation possible.”
Owen coach Nathan Padgett said it was a tough moment for his program after the Gibbs brothers transferred, particularly Sidney, who rushed for 1,750 yards as a sophomore for the Warhorses.
Sidney was expected to be Owen’s starting running back in 2017.
“If a family decides that a private school is the best decision for them, then I do think it’s something they should consider,” Padgett said. “But in terms of our program, where we are now, we are going to stay committed to those who are still here.”
Private schools do enjoy the upper hand when it comes to transfer rules in North Carolina.
A new rule implemented in May by the N.C. High School Athletic Association has bolstered the transfer rules for public school athletes.
The new rule states that athletes who do not change residence are now required to get signed permission from their new and old high school principals to be allowed to play sports. If one principal decides not to sign, the transfer will be brought in front of the NCHSAA executive committee for a decision. If the transfer is deemed solely for athletic purposes, the student must sit out 365 days or two consecutive semesters, whichever comes first.
“Private and boarding schools don’t fall under our jurisdiction,” NCHSAA spokesperson James Alverson said. “They don’t have to abide by our rules.
Christ School Headmaster Paul Krieger said the school does not offer athletic scholarships "period," which abides by the rules of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Associations.
"All our tuition assistance is based on a 'need-blind' basis," Krieger said in an email. "If a family qualifies, only then can need-based financial aid be considered and awarded."
Only one student at the school does not pay any tuition, according to Krieger.
Earlier this month, Reynolds senior defensive back Kaedin Robinson transferred to Christ School after suffering the same injury as Gibbs during the first scrimmage of the 2017 season. The transfer gives Robinson an opportunity to reclassify his senior season for 2018 while he recovers from his injury.
“Reclassification really gives kids another year to mature or sometimes to help get their grades up to get into a better college,” Moroz said. “It’s something that really benefits them.”
Christ School athletic rules states students can continue to participate in athletics if they turn 19 after Aug. 1.
Robinson was selected to the All-MAC team in 2016 and to the Citizen-Times All-WNC team for his work on special teams.
While Christ School’s football program acquires talent from the Western North Carolina area, it also offers an international flair to its roster.
Five countries – Canada, United States, Bahamas, China and Kenya – are represented on the roster, including Yuan Chen Zhao, a 6-foot-1, 340-pound senior lineman from Beijing.
“I was always bigger than everyone in China, but I found a sport that loves big guys like me,” Zhao said. “It’s been an amazing experience to play here with guys from around the world.”
Other players, like starting quarterback Wes Shuler, 17, transferred this year from Christian Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee, and reclassified as a junior. His cousin, sophomore Navy Shuler – the team’s original starting quarterback before an arm injury – also attends Christ School, one of the reasons Wes said he decided to transfer.
Having new quarterbacks coach Tommy Langford, who spent the past five years at IMG Academy in Florida, was also a draw.
Last week, Shuler helped the Greenies beat his former team, 28-11.
“I came on a visit and it just felt right,” Shuler said. “This is a place where you can become a better student, a better athlete and a better person.”
