Hotzler: It's time to accept that North Dakota transfer rules are here to stay

The North Dakota High School Activities Association's transfer rule was thrust into the spotlight again this week with standout wrestler Anjelo Shepherd's move from Fargo North to West Fargo.

Shepherd, a freshman who has already earned two Class A state titles, will be immediately eligible for competition with the Packers because his family has moved to the West Fargo school district.

Anyone have a feeling of déjà vu?

The wrestling season was already under way last school year when another transfer kerfuffle involving West Fargo and North gained a ton of attention.

In December of 2009, North Principal Andy Dahlen filed a complaint with the NDHSAA, citing a possible rules infraction by the family of West Fargo's Tyler and Preston Lehmann.

Preston transferred from North and Tyler came from Minnesota wrestling power Apple Valley. Cousin Michael Lehmann also transferred from Wahpeton.

An investigation cleared Tyler's and Preston's parents of any wrongdoing.

West Fargo went on to end Bismarck's 10-year run as state Class A dual champions. Tyler and Michael each earned individual crowns.

Message boards were filled last year with comments about West Fargo's "tainted title."

There were whispers.

And there was an open letter from a Fargo South wrestling parent urging the NDHSAA Board of Directors to strip the Packers of their championship.

Talk of the "tainted title" ramped up again when Michael Lehmann and family transferred back to Wahpeton before this season.

Now the buzz grows again following Shepherd's arrival.

Some are pointing a judgmental finger at West Fargo High School for allowing this to happen. Something has to be up for so many to transfer to West Fargo, right?

That camp is missing the point entirely.

This is not West Fargo's fault. It's not Packers activities director Curt Jones' fault. It's not Packers wrestling coach Kayle Dangerud's fault.

It's not Anjelo Shepherd's fault.

These are NOT the people making the decisions. Jones and Dangerud are accepting a student into their school and wrestling program that lives in their district.

Would you have them turn Shepherd away?

The decision-makers in these instances are the parents.

Only they know why they moved.

This writer believes parents are doing their kids a disservice if they are uprooting their families to get into more competitive sports programs.

It shouldn't be all about winning or getting a college scholarship or getting to the pros.

But if parents make the choice to go through all of the hassle of moving for sports, so be it.

It's their call.

The NDHSAA transfer rule isn't changing. We have to get used to seeing this kind of thing.

With the way sports are valued today, I'm shocked we even raise an eyebrow anymore when kids bounce from one school to another.

If everything is above board, we shouldn't be passing judgments on school districts, administrators, coaches or students.

And we should definitely ditch the talk about "tainted titles."

Readers can reach Forum reporter Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562 or hhotzler@forumcomm.com . Hotzler's blogs can be found

at www.areavoices.com