Ohio Governor Signed Order for Student-Athlete Eligibility
High school graduates from 2022 may now regain an extra year of college sports eligibility in Ohio.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2026-04D to authorize state colleges to ignore specific NCAA age-based eligibility restrictions. This move allows student-athletes who graduated high school in 2022 to compete for a fifth season despite previous limitations.
Why it matters
The order provides consistency for athletes who faced conflicting rules regarding their eligibility windows. It protects Ohio student-athletes from inconsistent administrative standards currently under legal challenge.
Executive Order 2026-04D applies to the class of 2022, enabling a fifth season of competition. Colleges may now choose whether to enforce the NCAA's current age-based restrictions while litigation proceeds.
The players
Mike DeWine
The Governor of Ohio who issued the executive order to address college sports eligibility standards.
NCAA
The governing body for collegiate athletics that recently revised its eligibility rules and faces ongoing legal challenges.
The details
The NCAA eligibility model adopted in June permits up to five years of competition, yet initial rollout guidance excluded those who finished four seasons after graduating in 2022. This order grants university administrators the discretion to override that guidance. Individual institutions can now independently decide to clear these athletes for participation during ongoing court cases.
Timeline
2022: High school graduation year for affected athletes.
June 2026: NCAA adopted a new eligibility model.
October 13, 2026: Governor DeWine signed the executive order.
The Home Front
This action shifts the regulatory burden to individual universities while the courts weigh competing eligibility standards. It follows the recent legal scrutiny established by the Borovicanin v. National Collegiate Athletic Association case in Hamilton County.
Families of student-athletes graduating in 2022 should contact their university's athletic department to confirm participation status under the new order. Ensure you track any updates from your specific college administrator regarding the enforcement of NCAA eligibility caps.
The takeaway
This order provides a critical window for eligible 2022 graduates to extend their college athletic careers. Families should verify institutional policies with their school's administration to confirm if this change applies to their athlete's current eligibility status.
Further reading
For more information on state policies affecting student life, visit Secondary Education.
Live Poll
Should your state government intervene to override national athletic eligibility rules for local college athletes?
