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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -February 22, 2001
Contact: John Johnson or Andy Frushour-- 517.332.5046

Concerns For House Bill 4293

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Feb. 22 - The Michigan High School Athletic Association released today a statement from Executive Director John E. "Jack" Roberts, regarding the introduction of House Bill 4293 by State Representative Chris Kolb (D-Ann Arbor). The bill would change the Michigan School Code to force public schools in the state offering a sport to both females and males to conduct their seasons simultaneously.

"The scheduling of male and female sports seasons at different times of year, resulting in increased student participation and more efficient use of facilities, equipment and personnel, is common throughout the country on the high school level and occurs in several college sports.

"We suggest that legislators continue to allow local educators to do what their constitutients find is best for students and their extracurricular activities. Participation opportunities would be reduced if this proposal would become law."

BACKGROUND INFORMATION - Currently, Michigan is one of four states in which girls basketball is not conducted at the same time as boys basketball. Among other sports which would be affected by the proposed legislation are golf, soccer, swimming and diving, and tennis. Nationally, only 19 states have high school golf in a common season, 20 states have high school soccer in a common season, 21 have high school swimming and diving in a common season; and 30 have tennis in a common season. Among sports in which the boys and girls sports seasons coincide in most schools are cross country in the fall, skiing in the winter; and track and field in the spring.

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by over 1,300 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract approximately 1.6 million spectators each year.

To contact Representative Kolb regarding this legislation, call 517.373.2577.

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