Prep notebook: Ohio schools vote to approve NIL for athletes

Imagine a Chesapeake High School basketball star plugging footlong hot dogs in a newspaper ad for Dairy Bell.

That could happen now that the Ohio High School Athletic Association member schools have approved an emergency bylaw referendum regarding Name, Image and Likeness. Ohio became the 45th state to allow its high school athletes to be compensated from NIL.

Members voted 447 in favor and 121 against, with 247 abstaining.

The change is immediately in effect. It covers personal appearances, licensing, social media, endorsements and other branding based on public recognition or notoriety. Reporting procedures and limitations will exist to prevent athletes from jeopardizing their eligibility.

“We would like to thank our member schools for taking ownership of this NIL bylaw proposal,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA executive director. “Whether our schools or individuals agree with NIL at the high school level or not, the courts have spoken on this issue across the country that the NCAA and high school athletic associations cannot prevent a student-athlete from making money on their NIL.”

Ute said the OHSAA will closely watch players and programs participating in NIL to prevent recruiting.

“Our member schools helped develop this language,” said Ute. “Now the real work begins, because this will be a continually evolving piece of high school athletics. The OHSAA will track NIL deals and make sure that our recruiting bylaws and transfer bylaws are still enforced, which is something our member schools have asked for throughout this process.”

West Virginia and Kentucky already approved NIL.

COACH SPEAK: The West Virginia Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame will add Hurricane's Brian Sutphin and Charleston Catholic's Bill Mehle, along with Potomac State's Doug Little, Jan. 30 at a ceremony at the Kanawha Country Club.

Scott Marsh, a former Ashland football standout and son of former Tomcats coach Vic Marsh, led West Jessamine (Kentucky) to a 9-4 record, the most victories in program history, and to its first regional final. Lawrence County's Sam Sparks was named the National Federation of High Schools Kentucky softball coach of the year.

Portsmouth Notre Dame and Logan (Ohio) high schools are seeking head football coaches. Green girls basketball coach Melissa Knapp has been selected to coach the South in the North-South All-Star Game April 24th at Olentangy Liberty High School.

AMAZING STATS OF THE WEEK: Former Huntington High football star Gavin Lochow moved into second place in University of Dayton history for receptions, with 151, behind only Denver Broncos' player Adam Troutman.

Another former Highlander, swimmer Lauren Lockwood, set a Davis & Elkins record in the 200-meter butterfly in 2:15.13. Lockwood also was part of the Senators' record-setting 400-meter relay team that finished in 3:41.6 Saturday.

Portsmouth Notre Dame's girls basketball team opened with a 65-4 victory over Western Pike. Chapmanville football snapped Bridgeport's 25-game winning streak in a 33-27 triumph Friday in the Class AAA playoffs. Indian Valley running back Grady Kinsey set an OHSAA record Friday by scoring his 136th career touchdown.

Marion (Ohio) Local football's national-best 76-game winning streak was snapped Friday in a 24-7 loss to St. Henry. Independence lost 38-27 to Doddridge County Friday, its first setback to a Class AA opponent at home since 2020. Robert C. Byrd was 0-9 against Fairmont Senior before upsetting the Polar Bears in the football playoffs.

Wheelersburg kicker Cooper Heimbach made a 50-yard field goal Friday in a 41-0 victory over Nelsonville-York.

Recruiting roundup

SIGNINGS: Point Pleasant softball's Chloe Patrick (Valparaiso).

COMMITMENTS: Wheelersburg football's Cooper Heimbach (Ohio).

OFFERS: Ironton track's Sara Murdock (Shawnee State).

VISITS: Coal Grove football's Ayden Hankins (Ohio, Louisville). Ashland football's Brody Simpkins (Bowling Green).

NOTES, QUOTES, ANECDOTES: The University of Dayton football's Luke Pennington, son of former Marshall University and NFL star Chad Pennington, threw his first college touchdown pass Saturday, connecting with former Huntington High standout Gavin Lochow.

The Tri-State Hoops Throwdown girls basketball showcase at Fairland features Green versus Marietta at 3 p.m., Alexander against Portsmouth West at 4:45 p.m., and Fairland taking on Warren at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Former Ashland girls basketball star Jaidyn Gulley of Indiana Tech was named the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference player of the week.