What Wise High School's Forfeits Mean for Maryland Student-Athletes and Families

When a Maryland high school plays an ineligible athlete, the team can forfeit wins it already earned, and an appeal is not a guarantee. Families should confirm a student's eligibility, especially residency and transfer paperwork, before the season starts, and understand how eligibility and amateur status can affect scholarships, recruiting and name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities.

What happened at Wise High School?

Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro forfeited four football victories after a player was found ineligible for violating residency requirements. The team's record dropped from 8-0 to 4-4 just before the playoffs, and the program's appeal to the state athletic association was denied, according to FOX 5 DC's report. The report quotes Ike Emejuru, a sports attorney with Emejuru Law LLC.

It is not the school's first forfeit over an eligibility issue. Wise's boys' basketball team forfeited its entire season in 2025 over a residency violation.

Watch the FOX 5 DC report:

▶ Maryland high school faces fallout from player eligibility issues (FOX 5 DC video)

Wise High School is facing fallout after player eligibility issues. Video and reporting by FOX 5 DC.

Why can one ineligible player cost a team its wins?

Eligibility is decided before a student plays, not after. Prince George's County Public Schools' athletic transfer procedure, for example, says students who transfer are ineligible until the Office of Interscholastic Athletics approves all paperwork. It requires parents to provide two proofs of residency and limits a student to one bona fide residence for athletic purposes. It also says a team that rosters and plays an ineligible player faces discipline, such as disqualification or forfeited games.

That is why a paperwork or residency problem found midseason can undo a record the players earned on the field. The athletes who played by the rules are the ones who lose the most.

What did attorney Ike Emejuru say about it?

Emejuru told FOX 5 DC, "I think that the school needs to really probably reevaluate how..." and said "they probably need to figure out ways to consider fairness for students that live there."

Two questions follow for schools and families: how eligibility is confirmed before games are played, and how residency rules apply to students who actually live in the community.

How can eligibility problems affect scholarships and recruiting?

A team forfeit does not automatically end an individual athlete's college prospects. But eligibility problems can still hurt a student in practical ways: lost playing time, a gap in game film, questions from college coaches about a player's transfer history, and a record that may follow the student into the recruiting process.

Families should ask the school exactly what was found and how it is documented, and keep copies of residency records, transfer approvals and correspondence. If a student's eligibility is questioned, get the facts in writing early, because appeal windows can be short. Under the Prince George's County procedure, for example, parents have 10 business days from the date of the official letter to appeal an ineligibility decision.

How does eligibility connect to NIL for Maryland high school athletes?

Maryland's high school athletic association, the MPSSAA, allows student-athletes to earn money from their own name, image and likeness, including endorsements, social media promotion, and running camps or private lessons. But its NIL guidance draws firm lines:

Athletes may not use school names, logos, mascots or uniforms in NIL marketing, or reference the school or the MPSSAA.
Athletes may not wear or display third-party brands during school-based team activities.
Certain product categories are off limits, including alcohol, tobacco and nicotine, cannabis, prescription drugs, gambling and weapons.
School employees, contractors and volunteers may not promise NIL opportunities to entice a student to transfer to or attend their school.

The stakes are the same as in the Wise case: eligibility. Under the guidance, an athlete who loses amateur status may be deemed ineligible and must wait 60 school days before asking the MPSSAA Appeals Committee for reinstatement. The guidance also notes that following MPSSAA rules does not guarantee eligibility under NCAA or other organizations' standards, and that NIL income can affect need-based college financial aid.

For families, the takeaway is that eligibility, transfers and NIL are connected. A transfer motivated by an NIL promise, or an NIL deal that violates the rules, can create the same kind of eligibility problem that cost Wise its wins.

What should families do to protect a student-athlete's eligibility?

Verify eligibility in writing before the first game. Ask the athletic director to confirm that all transfer and residency paperwork has been approved.
Keep residency records. Save leases, deeds, utility bills and any correspondence with the school district.
Report address changes immediately. A move can change eligibility, and the school needs to know right away.
Have an attorney review any NIL deal. Check it against MPSSAA rules before signing, including school branding, restricted products and any involvement of school staff.
Act quickly on any ineligibility notice. Appeal deadlines can be as short as 10 business days.

Can a family challenge an eligibility decision?

Often, yes, but the process and deadlines depend on the school district and the athletic association. In Prince George's County, parents or guardians may appeal an ineligibility decision in writing within 10 business days, and a hearing committee must convene within 10 business days after that. For loss of amateur status under MPSSAA rules, an athlete can request reinstatement from the MPSSAA Appeals Committee after 60 school days. An attorney can help gather documents, meet deadlines and present the case.

How can a sports attorney help student-athletes and families?

Emejuru Law LLC represents student-athletes and families in Maryland, including on NIL matters. That includes reviewing endorsement and NIL agreements, helping families understand eligibility and transfer rules, and advising on appeals. If you have questions about a student's eligibility or an NIL opportunity, contact Emejuru Law LLC at REPLACE-PHONE.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Maryland high school team forfeit games because of one ineligible player?

Yes. A team that plays an ineligible athlete can face discipline, including forfeiting games it already won. Wise High School forfeited four football victories after a player was found ineligible for violating residency requirements.

Does a high school forfeit affect an individual athlete's college scholarship chances?

Not automatically. But an eligibility finding against a player, lost playing time, or a gap in game film can affect recruiting. Ask the school exactly what was found and how it is documented.

Can a Maryland high school athlete make NIL money?

Yes, within limits. MPSSAA guidance permits high school athletes to earn from their own name, image and likeness, but they cannot use school names, logos or uniforms, cannot promote restricted products such as alcohol or gambling, and school staff cannot use NIL promises to recruit students.

Can NIL activity make a Maryland high school athlete ineligible?

It can. Under MPSSAA guidance, an athlete who loses amateur status may be deemed ineligible and must wait 60 school days before asking the MPSSAA Appeals Committee for reinstatement. Review any NIL deal before signing.