Ahhh reading is still taught in schools right?
From the rulebook
"A transfer student who migrates from one member school to another and was a varsity athlete at his/her previous school is ineligible to participate
in that sport at the new school for one calendar year beginning with the first date of enrollment at the new school. If that student was an
undersquad athlete (freshman or junior varsity) at his previous school, he/she may transfer without penalty, if no other stated policies apply.
The only exception to this policy is if a student’s present school eliminates the athletic program in which he/she is participating."
That is from the rulebook, yes, but a preceding paragraph in said rulebook defines to "varsity athlete" and "that sport" which is the language used in the paragraph you refer to and means the definition of varsity athlete comes into play - read below for the definition. See the definition below - a varsity athlete is not identified by being on a roster but by actual play in an MIAA conference game in the sport in question.
Sooo....according to said rulebook, a varsity basketball player from an MIAA school who played in a conference (MIAA) game is ineligible to transfer and play the next season IN THAT SPORT (basketball). A varsity rostered lacrosse player who plays in a non-conference game (a preseason lax scrimmage, for example) but not in a conference (MIAA) lax game can transfer to another school and play varsity lax the following season.
Hope that helps...
Reposted here for your convenience: "An MIAA varsity athlete is defined as a student who has competed in any way in a varsity interscholastic conference competition. Participation in any non-conference scrimmages or games at the varsity level, throughout the season, does not have an impact upon the transferring student’s status."