SC Lawmakers pause bill that could affect high school sports

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – This week at the state house, lawmakers decided to put a bill on pause that could affect South Carolina high school sports. This bill would replace the South Carolina High School League, and some lawmakers openly criticized the organization’s leadership during the committee meeting.

“Those in leadership positions have realized that we’re fully committed to, clipping their wings a little bit and making it more fair, and so they’re finally saying, oh, we want to work with you because they know it’s coming,” said Representative James Teeple (R – Charleston).

The bill would dismantle of the 111-year-old South Carolina High School League, and start a new state-run agency called the South Carolina High School Athletic Association.

The Association would have 11 members appointed by the Governor, Legislative Leaders, and Education Chairs. If passed, all public and charter schools in South Carolina would be under the new organization.

“Would like to see children have good, fair play, and our students have a system that works for most of them, better than it has been,” said Representative Shannon Erickson (R – Beaufort).

Representative Stephen Frank (R – Greenville) called out the Commissioner of the South Carolina High School League, Dr. Jerome Singleton during the committee meeting, this week.

“As we go into this, this off session to work, with your organization, would you consider stepping down and letting an interim director come in and help shepherd this process forward?” He asked Singleton.

Singleton’s response was “No sir.”

I sat down with Jerome Singleton today about the call for him to step down.

“I mean, when I heard it, the question came in. I just answered it, and I thought it was going through my head. I didn’t see any reason to step down. ”

Singleton said that South Carolina is recognized as having one of the best high school sports league associations in the country, and that he is proud of the work that they do, but there is always room for improvement.

“The membership has done a fantastic job, in my opinion, of, trying to keep up with what’s best educationally for student athletes by providing this opportunity to participate in sports.”

The bill will be carried over to the off session for further discussion, with plans to revisit it next year. As for Singleton, he is still in his current role and said that he will not step down.

Singleton said he looks forward to speaking with lawmakers to work together to improve the South Carolina High School League.