BULLETIN

April 2000 Volume LXXVI Number 7

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING East Lansing, February 16, 2000
 
Executive Committee Authority and Responsibility - The Executive Committee was reminded of its authority under Article VII of the MHSAA Constitution and specifically its responsibility to consider each application for waiver of an eligibility requirement on its individual merits, determining if the regulation serves the purpose for which it was intended in each case or if the regulation works an undue hardship on any student who is the subject of a request for waiver. (These underlying criteria may not be restated for every subject of these minutes.)
The Executive Committee was reminded that it was the responsibility of each member school involved to provide sufficient factual information about the specific request for the Executive Committee to reach a decision without further investiga-tion. If information is incomplete, contradictory or otherwise unclear or has been received too late to be studied completely, the Executive Committee may deny the request for waiver or delay action. Such requests may be resubmitted to the Executive Committee with additional information at a subsequent meeting or appealed to the full Representative Council.
A determination of undue hardship is a matter addressed to the discretion of the Executive Committee within the educational philosophy and secondary role of voluntary extracurricular competitive athletics in the academic environment. The Executive Committee was cautioned to avoid making exceptions that would create precedent that effectively changes a rule without Representative Council action or local board of education adoption, which would exceed Executive Committee authority.
Students for whom waiver of a particular regulation is granted must be eligible in all respects under all other sections and interpretations of the regulations prior to their participation.
Consistent with rulings of the Attorney General and Michigan Supreme Court, schools are not bound by the decisions of the Executive Committee, but the Association may limit participation in the postseason tournaments it sponsors to those schools which apply rules and penalties as promulgated by the MHSAA and adopted by each member school's board of education. The MHSAA exercises no independent authority over schools or students during regular season.
Ironwood-L. L. Wright, Bessemer-A. D. Johnston & Wakefield High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1) - These schools have sponsored a cooperative ice hockey program since 1992-93, which Ironwood predicts will not survive because of insufficient student participation. Ironwood had previously requested to participate in a cooperative program with Hurley, Wisconsin, but was not allowed to do so because only MHSAA member schools may cooperate. Hurley and L. L. Wright High Schools are also seeking permission from the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association which already has allowed one of its member schools to participate in a coop with an Illinois school in football. These three cooperating schools sought waiver of the MHSAA requirement that all cooperating schools be member schools of the MHSAA so that Hurley High School might become the fourth school in the coop and provide enough students to sustain a team.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver, indicating that waiver would exceed its authority because modifying for three institutions a rule which the Representative Council had adopted for all institutions might establish precedent that would change the rule for all.
Remus-Chippewa Hills High School (Regulation I, Section 5) - Request was made to waive Interpretation No. 32 for a female student who played on the boys golf team last fall. On Jan. 27, 2000, Chippewa Hills High School formally approved sponsorship of a girls golf team in the spring of 2000.
The Executive Committee noted that at the start of the school year the student would not have known there would be a girls golf program in the spring and had no other opportunity to compete in interscholastic golf. Because of these factors and in the interest of promoting growth in an emerging girls sport, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Battle Creek-Central High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who began the school year at Potterville High School. She quit school in October. She had a brief stay at Pinerest in Grand Rapids. She enrolled at Battle Creek-Central because her mother teaches there and they can commute together from Potterville.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Bridgman High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who lived in Hawaii with her mother (her father lives elsewhere in Hawaii). During August of 1998 and part of the 1998-99 school year, the student lived in Bridgman when a youth minister, who had previously pastored the student's church in Hawaii, relocated to Bridgman. The student started 9th grade in Hawaii but began the second semester of 1999-00 at Bridgman High School and she is living with a friend in Bridgman who is seeking guardianship and is a teacher/coach at Bridgman High School. The student did not participate in school sports during the first semester.
The Executive Committee granted the request for eligibility only at the sub-varsity level for the remainder of the 1999-00 school year.
Dearborn-Divine Child High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who relocated from Nebraska with her family to Plymouth. She attended 2Þ days of classes at Plymouth Salem High School while waiting to interview at Divine Child, which occurred Jan. 27. She was registered on Jan. 28 and began classes Jan. 31. Ladywood is closer to her residence than Divine Child but is an all-girls school.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Fairview High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Fairview schools from 1st grade through 9th grade when he played golf, basketball and track and the first semester of 10th-grade when he played basketball. A family dispute caused the student to move with his mother to St. Clair Shores, enrolling at Lakeshore High School on Jan. 27, 2000, where he attended Jan. 31 - Feb. 4. He returned to Fairview with his sister Feb. 7. He was involved in no school activities at Lakeshore.
In view of the brief attendance without sports participation at Lakeshore High School and the return to the same residence and school, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Farwell High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Farwell High School as a 9th-grader. For the first semester of 1999-00, the student attended Pioneer High School, an alternative education high school that Farwell operates in a consortium with Clare. Alternative education students are not eligible at Farwell, and this student was considered a transfer to Pioneer High School. The student has returned to Farwell High School.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver only at the sub-varsity level during the remainder of the 1999-00 school year. On the basis of the information available about the student and Farwell High School's relationship to Pioneer High School, the student is a transfer student and not otherwise eligible until the start of the 2000-01 school year.
Houghton Lake High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who enrolled at Houghton Lake High School on Feb. 2, 2000. The whereabouts of the student's mother and father are unknown. She was raised by her grandmother for 9 years, until her passing, when she was taken in by an aunt. She relocated from the residence of that aunt in the Warren Woods district, where there were reports of abuse and neglect in the home, to the residence of the man who fathered the student's two siblings.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Hudsonville-Unity Christian High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Unity Christian's feeder school until the family was relocated from Hudsonville to Dallas for the student's father's employment. The student's father is being returned to the Grand Rapids area and the family intends to reside in the Hudsonville area. To facilitate educational continuity, the student was enrolled at Unity Christian on Jan. 28, 2000. The family has not yet secured housing in the Hudsonville area. It is expected the student's mother and younger sister will move to Hudsonville in early March and that the student's father will relocate in late March or early April.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver only at the sub-varsity level during the remainder of the 1999-00 school year and stipulated that the school must forfeit all contests in which this student participates if both his parents have not relocated their permanent residence to the Hudsonville area by April 15, 2000. The student will have eligibility at any level of competition when the parents have completely relocated their residence from Dallas to the Hudsonville area.
Kalamazoo-Comstock High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request was made to permit eligibility at the sub-varsity level during the second semester of the 1999-00 school year for a 10th grade student who attended Kalamazoo County's Intensive Learning Center for three semesters and did not participate in interscholastic sports. He previously lived in the Kalamazoo Public School District and now lives in the Gull Lake Community School District. He has never been a Comstock resident or student.
In the absence of court documents that demonstrate the student has been placed in Comstock High School and in the absence of documentation that discipline was not involved in the student's previous placement, the Executive Committee determined it must deny the request for waiver.
Kalamazoo-Hackett Catholic Central High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who previously attended public school in Simsbury, CT and has moved with her family to Richland and enrolled at Hackett Jan. 24, 2000. The family is Catholic and the student's two younger brothers attend Catholic elementary schools, but Hackett Catholic Central is not the closest nonpublic school to the new residence. It is the closest Catholic nonpublic school, but the student did not previously attend Catholic high school because none was available to this student in Simsbury.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Lakeview High School (Regulation I, Section 9[D]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility after 90 school days of enrollment was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who enrolled Oct. 4, 1999 at Lakeview, having transferred from Cedar Springs. She now resides with her aunt and uncle.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver, effective with the student's 91st school day of enrollment at Lakeview High School.
Manistee Catholic Central High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student who enrolled at Manistee Catholic Central Jan. 24, 2000, having previously attended Manistee High School where it was reported that he was a victim of thefts and in an environment of drugs and alcohol; and it was believed he would have a better chance to participate in sports at the varsity level in this smaller school.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Peck High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled Dec. 6, 1999 at Peck High School, having previously attended Brown City High School where he did not participate in school sports. Sub-varsity teams are not sponsored by Peck High School for spring sports.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Saginaw-Buena Vista High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility immediately at the sub-varsity level only was made for a 9th-grade student who enrolled Aug. 18, 1999 at Buena Vista High School, transferred to Saginaw High School on Oct. 10, and reenrolled at Buena Vista on Jan. 3, 2000. The student did not participate in athletics while at Saginaw High School but had participated at Buena Vista.
The Executive Committee cited the specific requirements of the regulation which bind its decision and denied the request for waiver.
Saginaw-Buena Vista High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility immediately only at the sub-varsity level was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled Aug. 18, 1999 at Buena Vista High School, dropped and entered Shiloh High School in Kentwood on Sept. 21, 1999, and reentered Buena Vista on Dec. 9. The student did not participate in athletics at Shiloh or Buena Vista.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver only at the sub-varsity level for the remainder of the 1999-00 school year.
Sand Creek High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of a 10th-grade student who had attended Sand Creek schools except for one week, Jan. 17-21, when he attended Adrian High School.
In view of the brief attendance at Adrian and the return to the same school, the Executive Committee granted immediate eligibility for any level of competition pending the school's confirmation that the student did not participate in athletics at Adrian High School.
Utica High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of an 11th-grade student who attended Utica High School for 10th grade in 1998-99 and the first semester of 11th-grade in 1999-00. He enrolled at another school in the district on Jan. 24 and reenrolled at Utica High School on Jan. 28. He participated in no practice or competition those four days.
In view of the brief attendance without sports participation at the other school and the return to the same school, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Yale High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility at the sub-varsity level was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who enrolled at Yale at the start of the 1999-00 school year, moved to Florida in October for employment reasons and reenrolled at Yale High School after six weeks. The student did not participate in high school sports in Michigan or Florida.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver only at the sub-varsity level for the remainder of the 1999-00 school year.
Grand Rapids-West Catholic High School (Regulation II, Section 15) - A late request was made on behalf of a student, who suffers from chronic back injury that began in November of 1996, to compete in Division 2 of the 2000 Girls Gymnastics Tournament which is conducted in two divisions: Division 1 for gymnasts who at any time competed in a non-school event at USAG Level 9 or above or who have competed in USAG Optionals (Level 7 Optional or Level 8) since Jan. 1, 1998; and Division 2 for all other gymnasts. This student was a Level 8 gymnast in May of 1998. She participated in MHSAA Division 1 competition in 1998.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver, citing insufficient information about the student's meets, events and scores in 1999-00, which the MHSAA Girls Gymnastics Committee indicated should be provided to support requests such as this.
Jackson Catholic Middle and Jackson-St. Joseph Schools (Regulation III, Section 1) - The Executive Committee approved a cooperative program in boys and girls track and field for these schools. Jackson Catholic Middle School will be the primary school.
Mackinac Island Public School (Regulation III, Section 1[C]) - Request was made to allow 6th grade girls to participate with 7th and 8th-grade girls in volleyball in the spring of 2000.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for the 1999-00 school year only.
Southern Thumb Athletic Association (Regulation IV, Section 10) - The schools of this conference requested waiver of the two contests per week regulation to permit three contests during one week of the one-month junior high volleyball program.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver and referred this specific rule modification for the consideration of the MHSAA Junior High/Middle School Committee.
Regulation V, Section 3(C) - A Predistrict game between South Haven and Edwardsburg High Schools in the MHSAA Boys Soccer Tournament on Oct. 25, 1999 was terminated by officials at 71:27 because of an on-field fight that resulted in the ejection of 11 South Haven players, 2 for violent play and 9 for entering the field during an altercation. All received a one-day school suspension and also were or will be withheld from the first three days of competition of their next school season and have been required to write letters of apology to Edwardsburg and appear before the South Haven Board of Education.
The Executive Committee accepted the actions of the school without the requirement that anything additional be done at this time.
Flint-Beecher High School - A Sept. 30, 1999 junior varsity football game was ended prematurely because of unsportsmanlike conduct by Beecher players, as well as officials' concern for players' safety. At its Oct. 13, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee asked the MHSAA staff to request written follow-up to the Sept. 30 incident and then to meet again with school district administrators and board members to review numerous sportsmanship concerns.
Subsequently, the president of the board of education of the Beecher Community School District requested a summary of MHSAA concerns for Beecher High School sportsmanship and rules compliance, which was provided and showed an inordinate number of ejections of coaches and players and complaints by officials and schools.
On Oct. 20, 1999, Beecher's athletic director provided a letter reporting that the junior varsity football season was terminated and the two coaches dismissed.
Then in late October 1999, there was a fan disturbance at a girls varsity basketball game; and when officials sought administrative assistance, it was learned that the fan was an administrator. This brought renewal of threats by officials to refuse to take games involving Beecher High School in at least some sports. This administrator subsequently met with the local officials association and made significant improvement in the relationship between the school and that association.
On Feb. 3, 2000, the executive director attended a meeting of the Beecher Board of Education Athletic Committee, which included discussion of sportsmanship, eligibility, coaching concerns and officiating concerns. The executive director was asked to address sportsmanship issues, both in general and specific to Beecher High School. The former and current basketball coaches cited officiating that they believe is constantly biased against Beecher teams. Members of the public cited problems internal to the school district which need to be addressed. The principal cited the need to forget history and move forward to improve external relationships and internal operations.
The Executive Committee commended the executive director, school board president, high school principal and officials assignor for their efforts to reach out and move forward.
New School - Consistent with requirements of the MHSAA Constitution and pursuant to procedures for MHSAA membership established by the Representative Council on March 21, 1997, MHSAA membership was approved for Hart-Lakeshore Public Academy, currently operating through 11th grade and adding 12th grade next year. It currently has 40 students in grades 9, 10 and 11 and sponsors boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer and girls volleyball.
Next Meetings - The next meeting of the Executive Committee is Thursday, March 23, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing (with the Representative Council Meeting March 24). Thereafter, the Executive Committee will meet Wednesday, April 19, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing (with the Finance Committee Meeting to follow); Saturday, May 6, at 6:15 p.m. in Gaylord (with the Representative Council Meeting May 7-9); and Wednesday, June 14, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing. n
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING East Lansing, February 16, 2000
2000-01 Budget Preparation Schedule:
February 16-Finance Committee proposals (including personnel).
March 24-Representative Council approval.
April 19-Finance Committee proposals (remainder of budget).
May 7-Representative Council approval.
 
MHSAA Finances - Recent History - During 1997-98 and 1998-99, the MHSAA implemented new or increased payment plans for schools which host MHSAA tournaments. The payments were primarily responsible for direct tournament expenses increasing $683,998 or 32% over two years.
For 1998-99 alone, direct expenses for MHSAA tournaments increased 22% ($516,634) while tournament revenue increased only 12% over the previous year. In addition, hosts of MHSAA Districts and Regionals in boys and girls basketball retained $665,595 in 1998-99, up $61,365 or 10.2% over the previous year.
Primary among direct tournament expenses are payments to tournament hosts that in 1998-99 totaled $2,665,178, more than $2 million of which was to MHSAA member schools. Payments to hosts in 1999-00 will exceed $3.2 million total and $2.5 million to MHSAA member schools.
Considering only direct tournament expenses (not including general printing, postage, personnel, office overhead, etc.), 18 of 24 MHSAA tournaments operated at a loss in 1998-99. Three tournaments showed minimal profit (wrestling $123, ice hockey $3,115 and boys soccer $31,371).
There are only three "profit" centers in the MHSAA: girls basketball, football and boys basketball, which in 1998-99 had revenue in excess of direct operating expenses of $434,659 and $778,503 and $1,301,391, respectively.
If it had not been for extraordinary sources of revenue unrelated to normal operations, the MHSAA would have operated at a six-figure deficit in each of the past six fiscal years. The MHSAA has received more than $500,000 in litigation reimbursement from insurance. The association has averaged $238,854 per year in investment income over the past five fiscal years. In addition, the MHSAA has benefited from:
A. In 1993-94 . . . $211,000 anti-trust settlement (all to Women in Sports Leadership Conference fund).
B. In 1996-97 . . . $546,000 building sale ($131,100 net cash to operations after debt reduction).
C. In 1997-98 . . . $495,832 land sales ($174,832 net cash to operations after debt reduction).
D. In 1998-99 . . . $139,720 land sale ($59,720 net cash to operations after debt reduction).
In other words, it has been from investments, insurance and real estate that the MHSAA has balanced its budget. The association has not had revenue in excess of expenses from pure operations since fiscal year 1992-93.
In 1998-99, the MHSAA had a loss of $296,382. A loss of $283,266 has been budgeted for 1999-00. Therefore, the additional net revenue of the expanded Football Playoffs in 1999 (approximately $450,000) was largely spent before it was raised.
1999-00 Year-To-Date Review - Fall tournaments netted approximately $475,000 more in 1999 than in 1998, but investment income was $164,000 lower than the previous fiscal year's first six months.
Future Projections - In addition to the areas dealt with specifically in the remainder of these minutes, the Finance Committee was alerted to expect increased expenses in 2000-01 and beyond for officials recognition, tournament trophies and medals in all sports, tournament venues in many sports and additional tournament divisions in several sports. On the other hand, some printing and mailing costs may be reduced as more print media is put on the Web.
Insurance - Faced with the likelihood that currently designed directors and officers insurance will be unavailable at any price in the near future, the Finance Committee agreed to recommend to the Representative Council a two-part solution:
(1) Place the net proceeds of the sale of Unit No. 4 of Ramblewood Park Condominium in a designated fund to replace the current directors and officers insurance policy; and
(2) Designate to this fund each year for five years $120,000 of the additional revenue from MHSAA tournament ticket price increases recommended to become effective in 2000-01.
Ticket Prices - The Finance Committee agreed to recommend to the Representative Council a package of ticket price increases that would generate approximately $187,000 additional gross revenue each year ($168,300 net), of which $120,000 per year for five years would be placed in the designated replacement fund for directors and officers insurance.
Officials Registration Fees - Serving officials is among the most labor-intensive programs of the MHSAA. The direct costs (not including labor and other overhead) for services related to officials in 1998-99 were $384,975 plus a small portion of the cost for catastrophic insurance. The MHSAA received $339,420 in officials registration fees in 1998-99. Current fees in Michigan, which have not increased in six years, are in the lowest one-quarter of fees in the nation.
It was also noted that on-line, credit card registration will decrease revenue from late fees and increase expenses through bank charges.
The Finance Committee agreed to recommend to the Representative Council that individual sport fees be increased from $7 to $10 beginning with 2000-01 and that the basic registration fee be increased from $15 to $18 beginning with 2001-02, resulting in $50,000 additional revenue in the first year and $30,000 more revenue in the second year ($80,000 total). It was noted that this additional revenue will fall short of covering the total costs for this service.
These changes will put MHSAA fees for one sport ($28) at the mid-point nationwide (21 states higher; 20 lower) if there were no increases in other states for the next two years.
Tournament Managers Honoraria - According to established procedures, the Finance Committee conducted its biannual review of honoraria paid to MHSAA tournament managers and will recommend a package of changes to the Representative Council for 2000-01 and 2001-02 that increases final managers honoraria in five sports for a total increase of $400 per year and establishes policy for tournament managers who host multiple Regionals in competitive cheer and cross country.
Tournament Officials' Compensation - The biannual review of MHSAA tournament officials' contest fees was conducted and the Finance Committee agreed to make a package of recommendations to the Representative Council for 2000-01 and 2001-02 that increases fees on one or more levels of five sports for a total increase of $21,000 per year.
Tournament Scorers and Timers - The biannual review of fees for MHSAA tournament scorers and timers resulted in no recommended changes by the Finance Committee.
Tournament Host Compensation - The Finance Committee agreed to recommend the following to the Representative Council:
(1) The minimum payment to hosts of combined Baseball and Softball District and Regional Tournaments should increase from $300 to $600, which will have an impact of approximately $48,000 additional annual expense to the MHSAA; and
(2) Hosts of multiple Regionals at the same site should receive 50% more for each additional Regional (e.g., second Competitive Cheer Regional is $150, second Cross Country Regional is $300).
Reimbursement for Finalists in Team Tournaments - The review of policies controlling the reimbursement of schools for participation in MHSAA tournaments beyond the Regional level resulted in no recommendations for changes.
Personnel Considerations - The Finance Committee developed proposals for the Representative Council's action in March relative to compensation and benefit adjustments for the executive director and the total of adjustments the executive director may award to executive staff and support staff for 2000-01. n
REVIEWING THE REGULATIONS MHSAA TOURNAMENT SPONSORSHIP
One of the most frequently asked questions staff is asked during the question and answer sessions that follow speeches to civic groups, students or the media is about additional MHSAA tournaments. The media will ask what's next; students will ask how a sport they really like can qualify for an MHSAA post-season tournament.
The MHSAA has nothing to say about what sports could or should be sponsored and conducted on the local level by schools; but when, for three consecutive years, 70 schools have had their boards of education take action to officially authorize a particular sport and have directed their administrators to supervise a team or teams in that sport, then the MHSAA Representative Council will consider plans for a post-season tournament in that sport.
Sponsorship by a school of a particular sport does not require that all the funding come from the school. Outside sources are okay; but if a school sponsors a sport, it will be in charge of how the money is raised and spent.
Sponsorship by a school of a particular sport does not require that the coach be a teacher or administrator within the district. Nonfaculty coaches are okay; but if a school sponsors a sport, it will be in charge of hiring, evaluating, paying and in all other ways supervising the coach.
 
What might be next?
There's nothing to be added soon, but based on student and school interest, these three sports might be closest:
* Within Michigan there are in excess of 100 bowling teams consisting of high school students. Sometimes several teams for each gender carry the same school's name. However, in all but a few cases, these teams are operating independent of school sponsorship and supervision.
* There are more than 50 boys lacrosse teams consisting of high school students, but only half of those have been authorized by the students' boards of education and are being administered by the students' schools.
* There are approximately 34 and 30 MHSAA member schools sponsoring equestrian for girls and boys, respectively, at this time.
 
Might any tournament be dropped?
No tournament is in jeopardy at this time. While girls gymnastics lists 70 teams, they involve 100 schools as a result of cooperative programs.
The only MHSAA tournament ever to be dropped for lack of school sponsorship under the 70-school policy adopted in 1977 was boys gymnastics in 1981. n
 
NOTE: Schools voluntarily join the MHSAA and, to that end, it is necessary that each school district sign each year a Membership Resolution adopting the rules and regulations of the MHSAA as their own and agreeing to primary enforcement of those rules. While a school district is not bound by the decisions rendered by the MHSAA regarding rule violations, the MHSAA may condition eligibility for its tournaments on compliance with its rules and its determinations concerning rules violations and the penalties to be imposed for violations of the rules. See Attorney General Opinions No. 4795 (1977) and No. 6352 (1986).
Many school districts have additional rules that may also apply to the subject matter of this column.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A PHILOSOPHY OF SCHOOL SPORTS
A philosophy for interscholastic athletics cannot be considered apart from the objectives of those sponsoring and administering the programs - schools - and the intentions of those institutions when they decided to associate sports with education and began to invest resources into that association.
The current trend in education is toward smaller and more specialized and segregated schools; but throughout most of the 20th century, the first to have sports associating with schools in the United States, the trend was opposite. Public policy supported the consolidation of schools where students could be provided more comprehensive curricular and extracurricular options. Schools were viewed as melting pots for persons of diverse cultural, social, racial and religious backgrounds and of wide ranging interests in and capabilities for academic and non-academic activities.
The philosophy of school sports defined here is more consistent with the historical vision of public education than the recent fads.
In keeping with this long view of things, we begin with the statement of beliefs and actions presented in 1963 by Clifford B. Fagan, then Executive Secretary of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations, to a national conference on values in sports, as reported in the Journal of the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation:
 
Beliefs
"First, we believe that the nature of a nation's sports program reflects, to a large degree, the nation's physical well-being and its physical interests. We accept the statement that competition on the fields of Eton made a great contribution to the welfare of the English people over a long, long period of time.
"Second, we believe in competition. It is beneficial for the highly skilled to compete, for the less skilled to compete, for the moderately skilled to compete. A desire to win is good, and most benefits occur when extreme effort is made; casual effort does not result in desirable benefits! We believe that there is a difference between recreational sports and competitive sports. And we believe further that competition should be regulated by standards.
"Third, we believe that we should win according to the rules and that ethical practices should not be abused or voided in order to win. A program that is properly administered, even though it is competitive, will give the educational benefits we are striving for.
"Fourth, we believe that a program with both breadth and depth is needed. There should be a great many sports opportunities for high school students and students should have a choice of the activity in which they want to participate. We believe that there is need for many teams on various levels. Not all students want to participate in programs that are highly competitive. Some students do not care about this kind of activity; some are not interested in making the sacrifices that are necessary if they are to excel.
"Fifth, we believe that sportsmanship is taught and that the objectives we hope to attain can be reached only when sportsmanship is given a consideration. We believe that current approaches to sportsmanship are often 'namby-pamby.' Even with the fear of oversimplifying this important area, we suggest that there are three standards for sportsmanship. You can have acceptable sportsmanship generally if you will play the game according to the rules, both the spirit of the rules and the actual rules. If you win, you do not gloat over it. If you lose, you do not alibi. We believe that some 'window dressing' is insincere in the sportsmanship area, that it is unnecessary. Furthermore, it contributes to a weakness or a fault of our competitive program. We think that it is artificial and we believe that sportsmanship is dependent upon sincerity.
"Finally, we believe that personal an social values can be attained in sports competition but that these objectives are not automatic and, to a great degree, they depend upon leadership. In addition to those values that are classified as personal and social, there are others which are classified as physical and spiritual. An attitude of sophistication that has developed in the country since World War II is making it more difficult for sports programs to obtain the results which we hope they will. This attitude prevents participants from making sacrifices to accomplish what should be accomplished in sports program. We believe that this attitude of sophistication has contributed to a weakening of moral fiber.
 
Actions
"This we do. First , we protect in interscholastic programs the individual and the program. We do this in many ways - limited seasons, eligibility rules, age rules, limited number of games, and so one.
"Second, we promote. We believe that the program is worth promoting.
"Third, we train. We believe that we teach sports skills effectively. Coaching is one of the best, more efficient programs of teaching in the school. We train officials so that these programs can be conducted according to the rules. And we believe that good and adequate officials reduce the incidence of unsportsmanlike conduct.
"Fourth, we classify, for equal competition.
"Fifth, we cooperate with other aspects of the school program.
"Finally, we work for the attainment of personal and social values, knowing that these can be attained only when maximum effort is extended and when there are sacrifices for the best possible performance. We regret that there are still many soft spots in this area. We regret that in many places loyalty is ridiculed, that some organizations even penalize people who try to do the best possible job that they can."
 
Role
Both at the time Mr. Fagan articulated the six beliefs and six actions above and in these times, the goals of school sports are twofold: (1) to help schools reach and educate students; and (2) to help students learn skills for life. Such skills include hard work (dedication and discipline), teamwork (sacrifice), and fair play (ethics and integrity).
It is neither a practical nor legal reality that interscholastic athletics are an integral part of the curriculum of schools or an essential part of a student's education. However, it is proper to characterize voluntary, competitive interscholastic athletics as a tool for helping schools motivate students and to succeed both in the classroom and in later life.
While it is not necessarily cause and effect, it is a statistical fact that by most studies it has been found that participants in athletics have higher grade point averages, lower drop-out rates, better daily attendance and fewer discipline problems than non-participating students.
Many schools have placed the purpose of interscholastic athletics before their constituents by many different means. Here is a part of what one Michigan school has stated in its STUDENT ATHLETIC HANDBOOK which each athlete and his/her parent must verify has been read before the student participates in athletics:
 
Philosophy of Athletics
"V. American society places a high priority on individual excellence. This excellence has been closely allied with a challenging, competitive environment. Competition has long been considered a measure of excellence in our culture, whether it be in the business world, in scholastic achievement, or in athletics. Educational sports, in their pursuit of excellence, should be cautious not to create a competitive atmosphere so highly charged and intense that it becomes counter-productive for those it is intended to serve. Athletics must always be available to the many, not just the few. Every attempt should be made to encourage as many students as possible to share in the benefits of athletic participation. While participation is to be encourage, it should be regarded as a privilege to compete for the school and excessive praise and awards should be discouraged.
"The program shall be so directed that the welfare will be the rule. Every effort should be made to assure broad-based student participation. Continued emphasis shall reinforce the philosophy that the educational sports programs are an integral part of the educational program and are justifiable only to the extent that they are a desirable learning experience. All athletic activities in the school district shall be coordinated with the general instructional program and be in complete harmony with all aims and objectives of the total school program.
Objectives of Athletics
"VI. An athletic program should have objectives if it is to be meaningful. These objectives should be applicable for all levels. The objectives shouldn't be inconsistent with its philosophy or the educational objectives of our schools.
"Our athletic program is dedicated to the following objectives:
"1. Provide all athletes with the best teaching and coaching personnel possible.
 
"2. Provide all athletes with the best facilities and equipment possible.
 
"3. Provide the opportunity for all athletes to participate in the best interscholastics possible.
 
"4. Provide the opportunity for all spectators to identify with and support the interscholastic teams of our schools.
 
"5. Provide all athletes an opportunity to grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually through participation in the athletic program.
 
The Goals of Athletic Participation
"VII. The ultimate goal of all athletes is to become a more effective citizen in our democratic society. These can be realized by achieving the goals through athletic participation.
 
"1. YOU LEARN TEAMWORK - to work with others in a democratic society a person must develop self-discipline, respect for authority, and the spirit of hard work and sacrifice. You accomplish this by placing the team and its objectives higher than your personal desires.
 
"2. YOU LEARN TO BE SUCCESSFUL - our society is very competitive. You will NOT ALWAYS WIN, but you WILL SUCCEED WHEN YOU CONTINUALLY STRIVE TO DO SO.
 
"3. YOU LEARN TO BE A GOOD SPORT - you must learn to accept success and not let it go to your head. You must also learn to accept defeat knowing that you've done your best. You must continually strive to treat others as you would have them treat you. Through participation in athletics you must develop positive social traits. Some of these traits worth mentioning are: emotional control, honesty, cooperativeness, and dependability.
 
"4. YOU LEARN TO ENJOY ATHLETICS - many athletes are involved in athletics for many reasons, the least being the enjoyment derived. Hopefully, you will learn to enjoy this period in your life and appreciate your personal rewards.
 
"5. YOU LEARN DISIRABLE HEALTH HABITS - to be an active, contributing citizen, it is important to obtain and maintain a high degree of physical fitness through exercise and good health habits. Your participation in athletics should demonstrate to you the importance of good health habits."
 
Distinguishing Characteristics
Interscholastic athletic programs sponsored by schools are distinguished from non-school community athletic programs by four issues to which interscholastic athletics gives special attention. Those issues are scholarship (supporting the academic mission of schools), sportsmanship (encouraging a civil and respectful environment for competition), safety (promoting the physical wellbeing of participants), and the scope of the programs (maintaining limits on awards, travel, seasons and out-of-season activities that are consistent with the primary function of schools, which is education).
These are the issues that have defined school sports throughout the 20th century and more than ever distinguish school sports from programs by all other sponsor on all other levels. They are issues on which the administrators of school sports should not apologize for being different, for it is in the difference that school sports have their place not only in the sports world but also in society as a whole. It is in the difference that schools can justify the role of competitive athletics within schools. Without these differences, boards of education could not justify the time and money spent on these extracurricular programs.
It has been said that the interscholastic athletic program provides a "window to the school." If the school provides special attention to scholarship, sportsmanship, safety and the scope of its athletic program, then the public can be fairly well certain not only that the school's philosophy of athletics is healthy, but also that its philosophy of education is appropriate. n
GUEST EDITORIAL A LESSON FROM KRAMER'S FIELD
I grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan in the 50s and 60s. If you've ever been to what is now Beyer Memorial Hospital, there used to be, in the northeast comer of that property, a field about an acre in size. We called it Kramer's Field. I don't know why. I guess a family named Kramer once owned it although I never met them.
It was on Kramer's Field that I learned many things about life. I certainly learned to play baseball and football. I practiced these crafts for hours and hours.
I can remember spending entire summer days playing at Kramer's Field. Kids don't do that any more. They are too consumed today with video games and computers and Little League baseball and football or youth soccer, all those organized sports that cost money. Other than a football, glove and bat and a few baseballs (most of which I got as presents), I can't think of a time when I spent anything to play at Kramer's Field.
But did I learn and not just about sports. On one particular Sunday during the late fall of my 8th grade year, I learned what I now call the "Dave" concept of life.
It was a cold November Sunday and we were battling for the NFL championship of Kramer's Field. Our school season had long since been completed.
This game was likely the last game of the season. Snow bad reared its ugly head a few times that fall and it was getting rather chilly even for us to be playing outside. Defense had taken over that day. The score was 6-6 (we didn't kick extra points or go for two in those days.) Time was running out because we had all been invited over to my friend Clark's house for dinner and you didn't miss one of Clark's mother's dinners.
From across the field came a familiar face. It was, we'll call him "Dave." Dave had a tough reputation, especially during that time because he had just been released from the Juvenile Home where he had spent the preceeding six months for something I've long forgotten.
Since our team was short one player, we named Dave to our team (Kramer's Field rules).
The ball was about thirty yards from the end zone and in the huddle we began devising some very complicated offense plays using the little knowledge we had picked up from organized football in junior high. Terms like "reverse", "double reverse", "double team", "kick out", "fly pattern", and "transcontinental" were thrown about like we were seasoned veterans.
We began to argue about what was going to be called when suddenly Dave said, "Just give me the damn ball." We did, be scored and we won the game.
How simple. How basic. How rudimentary. How stupid of us not to realize that it's the basics that get things done in this world.
So the next time you hear yourself uttering the words "restructuring", paradigm shift", "alternative scbeduling" or any of the other glib catch phrase buzz words that are thrown about our profession these days, think of the "Dave" concept.
Get tough, go with the basics and score. Let's let teachers teach and administrators administrate in a sensible atmosphere. Let's start saying no to every new program that comes down the pike, enough is enough and there is only so much time. Let's start weeding our curricular gardens and streamlining our offerings to focus on what is going to prepare our young people for a better life regardless of their destination after high school.
All of us can benefit from the lessons learned from Kramer's Field, not just me.
 
-- Tom Stobie, President
Michigan Association of
Secondary School Principals
FEDERAL LEGISLATION TARGETS
SPORTS GAMBLING LOOPHOLE
A bipartisan bill has been proposed in the United States Congress to close a loophole in the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. That law prohibits most sports betting on amateur athletic events but grandfathered sports gambling activity in Nevada, Oregon, Montana and Delaware.
The High School and College Sports Gambling Prohibition Act would ban legal sports betting on high school, college and Olympic events in all states. The legislation is co-sponsored in the United States Senate by US Senators Brownbach, Leahy, Cochran, Jeffords, Helms, Lugar, Voinovich, McCain, Edwards, Durbin and Feinstein and in the House by US Representatives Graham and Roemer.
The legislation was proposed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which is gravely concerned about the scandals that have occurred in intercollegiate athletics (recently at Northwestern University and Arizona State University) and could occur more frequently because both recreational and addictive gambling has become more commonplace in America and the profile of sports and the proliferation of lotteries, casinos and bookies have increased. Senate staff added high school sports to the scope and coverage of the bill.
On Feb. 1, the National Federation of State High School Associations issued a statement in support of the High School and College Sports Gambling Prohibition Act, which reads in part as follows: "Gambling undermines the positive role that sports should play as an adjunct to the educational process. . . . The Department of Health and Human Services has documented that participation in extracurricular activities reduces dropout rates, diminishes the rates of drug abuse and teen pregnancy, and enhances academic performance. Such benefits should not be threatened or undermined by gambling. Accordingly, the Federation urges passage of the High School and College Gambling Prohibition Act."
Officials, coaches, administrators and board of education members are urged to contact their US Representative and both US Senators in Michigan in support of passage of the High School and College Sports Gambling Prohibition Act.
Historical Note:
In 1991, Michigan became the first state in the nation to pass legislation to prohibit a state-sponsored lottery from including games based on the results of sporting events. The effort was assisted by the Michigan Coalition to Ban Legalized Sports Betting, a broad-based group of athletic, educational, religious and civic organizations in which the MHSAA participated and for which MHSAA Executive Director John E. (Jack) Roberts was a spokesperson.
After successful advocacy of this state legislation, the Coalition assisted in passage of the federal legislation in 1992 which the current proposal would improve. n
BRIMLEY HONORED AS VOLLEYBALL "LEGENDS"
In an effort to promote educational athletics by showcasing some of the great teams of past years, the Michigan High School Athletic Association instituted a program called "Legends Of The Games" in 1997. The dominant Upper Peninsula girls volleyball team of the 1980's, Brimley High Schoo, lwas honored during ceremonies between the Class C and A championship matches of the 2000 MHSAA Girls Volleyball Finals at University Arena in Kalamazoo on March 18. Following is the story that appeared in the volleyball finals program. It was a legitimate question -- "Where's Brimley?" It had been a long time since the little town located off Whitefish Bay in the Upper Peninsula had made some noise on the statewide level with its school's sports success - not since back-to-back Class D MHSAA Boys Basketball crowns in 1950 and 1951. It was 1978, and the growth of girls sports saw the birth of a volleyball team at Brimley. Charles Compo took on the coaching reins with very little experience in the sport, but with an eagerness to learn and to teach. It was the start of something big. Just two years later, the first MHSAA Upper Peninsula Girls Volleyball Tournament took place, which were, somewhat predictably, won by a bigger school. Class C St. Ignace took the measure of Bessemer in that first tournament, but what happened next gave a whole new meaning to the phrase "U.P. Power." Over the next decade, Brimley established itself as the first volleyball dynasty in the Upper Peninsula, and in fact, raised its game to where it was occasionally the top-ranked team statewide in Class D in the coaches polls. With open class U.P. championships in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and the first U.P. Class D title in 1991, Brimley earned its spot as one of the Legends of the Games. But to earn that spot in U.P. and volleyball lore, the Bays had to travel -- and oh, did they travel. "We did a lot of traveling," Compo said. "That's where the competition was. It helped our program get statewide recognition." Located just off I-75, the Bays went southbound weekend after weekend to face Lower Peninsula competition, which had been playing the game longer. It didn't take long for Brimley to become established as a force to be reckoned with. "Being from the U.P., we traveled many, many hours on a bus. On those long trips, our teams became very close and developed lasting bonds," said Laura Compo, a setter on the team from 1985 to 1988. "When we arrived at some tournaments, many people wondered where Brimley was - they had never heard of us. Some would even laugh out loud about playing a Class D team from the U.P. More often than not, they wouldn't forget us at the end of a match and tournament. It was very rewarding to make our mark on Michigan volleyball." While the road to success included long trips, it was an opponent of a relatively short drive away that was Brimley's largest hurdle in its rise to the top. Knocking off the first tournament champion, St. Ignace, was not an easy task. "The St. Ignace team had beaten us every other time we had met over the previous three seasons and had our number," said Laura Newland, a setter on Compo's first three teams. "They looked like giants, they acted cocky and had a confidence about them that made our team feel like we didn't belong in the same gymnasium with them." The breakthrough match was in the regional tournament that year, where the Bays finally defeated the Saints in three games to advance to the final level of the tournament. "That game, the excitement of the fans, the near perfect game both sides played will always be the championship for me - it was one of the greatest experiences of my life," Newland said. "The first time we defeated St. Ignace, everyone in the stands were on their feet. Some of the dads were crying," said Robin Burton, a setter on the team from 1980 to 1982. "It was the turning point for the team. Brimley took the U.P. title a week later by defeating Watersmeet. A team made up of three seniors, four sophomores and four juniors was poised for more success. "We should be better next year, we really should," said Compo after the first title. Four more titles ensued, with back-to-back wins over Ironwood in 1982 and 1983; and Bessemer in 1984 and 1985. Sault Ste. Marie broke the first streak in 1986 by representing the Eastern U.P. in the finals and claiming the championship, but Brimley's last two Open Class titles came in 1987 and 1988. Two years later, Compo retired from coaching after compiling a 12-year record of 408-74. The next year, the U.P. tournament was broken into classes, and Brimley, directed by Coach Walter Hyvarinen, won the first Class D title. The Brimley players remember Coach Compo. "My fondest memory of the team is of Coach Compo," said Burton. "He was a motivator and made working hard fun. He gave much of his time to volleyball -- not just practices and games, but in-between, finding new ways to improve our skills and getting us into tournaments all over the state. We wouldn't have been nearly as successful without his extra efforts." "I remember all the hard work we put into practices and games. We had so much fun we felt like one big family," said Sherri Carrick, an outside hitter from 1984-87. "Mr. Compo was such a great coach and person that only he could push me to be the player that I was." Legends in high school sports are about teams that build up their communities, and for the decade of the 1980's, it happened in Brimley. It provided lifetime memories for a team that still makes them feel every bit as proud today as they did while in the school's uniform. "I remember that pride the most," said Barb Cameron, a middle hitter on the 1985-88 teams. "That, and the shared desire to win against all odds. People would say, 'Where's Brimley?' and we showed them!" n
RUSTER FOUNDATION PROVIDES LEADERSHIP
SESSIONS AT 2000 WISL CONFERENCE Over 150 student attendees at the "2000 Women in Sports Leadership Conference" held at the Sheraton Lansing on February 6th and 7th took part in the annual Ruster Foundation Leadership Seminars. The Leadership Seminars have been a part of the WISL program for the past 6 years and have involved more than 1000 student leaders from around the state. Again this year, Ruster Foundation Executive Director, Dave Dye, acted as facilitator for the student leadership sessions. The Leadership Seminar included hands-on activities, small group projects and individu leadership growth opportunities for the participants. Both group and individual leadership styles and potentials were discussed and demonstrated. Visual perceptions of the "perfect" student leader were presented by each small group in their effort to explain the roles and expectations of student leaders. Some typical comments made by the students on their evaluation forms at the end of the session follow: *"While learning, the workshop was very fun and I liked meeting new people." *"I have been through this three times now and I still love it." *"Outstanding. The best workshop session I've been to." *"I liked the energy of Dave and how the students got to participate." *"This workshop was awesome. I hope I can do it again soon." *"This was wonderful. Very informative. It helped so much and was lots of fun." *"The workshop got everyone involved and was a lot of fun. It didn't get boring at all."
 
For information on Ruster Foundation programs and services, contact:
Ruster Foundation P.O. Box 686 Sturgis, Ml 49091 Phone: (616) 651-3926
Fax: (616) 659-4037 E-Mai: dpdye@traversecorn
Winter Sports Nutrition Award Recipients Announced:
UDIM Presents Cash Grants & Scholarships
 The winter sports recipients have been selected to be honored through the Michigan High School Athletic Association's Sports Nutrition Award program, underwritten by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. This is the second full year in which the program honors schools in the 24 sports in which in the MHSAA sponsors post-season tournaments. For the first three years of the program, the Sports Nutrition Award focused on wrestling. Eight schools were selected in a drawing from all of the entries received in their respective sports to receive a $1,000 cash grant for their program, and a $500 scholarship for a student-athlete chosen by their own criteria. In addition, an ninth school was honored after being judged to have conducted the most creative nutrition education program of all the entries submitted. The merit award will present a $2,000 cash grant to a school's sports program and a $1,000 scholarship to a student-athlete of its choosing. The Sports Nutrition Award program is part of UDIM's sports nutrition education program, which is the focus of its year-round partnership with the MHSAA. Schools in all sports were invited to participate in a program where they could implement a nutrition education program from a variety of options. Schools only needed to provide verification of participation in the program to become eligible for the prize drawing. The winter sports scholarship recipients were honored at ceremonies at halftime of the Class D championship game of the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on March 25. The schools chosen to receive winter Sports Nutrition Awards are: Boys Basketball - Hemlock High School, head coach Mark Powell, nutrition liaison LeAnn Roberts, scholarship recipient Christopher Emeott; Girls Competitive Cheer - Comstock High School, head coach Kelly Bent, nutrition liaison LeAnn Roberts, scholarship recipient Emily Johnston; Girls Gymnastics - Brighton High School, head coach Nancy Gregory, nutrition liaison Nancy Gregory and Chris Chanavier, scholarship recipient Kimberly Matte; Boys Skiing - Milford High School, head coach Marty Neighbors, nutrition liaison Barbara Byrne, scholarship recipient Kerry Kramer; Girls Skiing - Onekema High School, head coach Tom Thorr, nutrition liaison Lynette Maxey, scholarship recipient Sarah Wild; Boys Swimming & Diving - Manistique High School, head coach Barbara Landis, nutrition liaison Kristen Demers, scholarship recipient Brian Mott; Girls Volleyball - Grand Marais Burt Township High School, head coach Helen Mack, nutrition liaison, scholarship recipient Marcy Butkovich; Wrestling - Byron High School, head coach Marti Covert, nutrition liaison Catherine Proulx, scholar recipient Jon DeLong. All of the applications were considered for the Merit Award, given to the school judged to have the most creative sports nutrition education program. A committee of UDIM and MHSAA representatives selected as co-winners the boys and girls swimming applications from Marquette High School. The head coach is Matthew Williams, the nutrition liaison is Lanae Joubert, and the scholarship recipients are Nathan Michels and Julie Burtch. All schools which participated in the Sports Nutrition Award program will be recognized with a certificate. Information for spring sports will be mailed soon to head coaches at each MHSAA senior high school, with the award recipients to be named in May, and the scholarship recipients to be honored at the MHSAA Girls Soccer Finals in Canton on June 17. With headquarters in Okemos, UDIM is a non-profit, member-driven association that conducts a total promotion program for Michigan produced milk and other real dairy products. n
SOCCER COMMITTEE MEETING
East Lansing, February 16, 2000
The MHSAA Soccer Committee met in the MHSAA Building to review MHSAA Recommended Game Procedures, Sportsmanship issues, letters addressed to the committee and Tournament Series issues recorded in the past year. The committee continues to support the recommended game procedures that are printed in the Soccer Rules Book Insert and provided to each soccer official and coach on an annual basis. A few modifications were made which will appear in italics in the 2000-01 printing of the rule book inserts.
 
COACHES GUIDEBOOK ADDITION The Soccer Committee requested that MHSAA staff print the following MHSAA Recommended Procedure not only in the Soccer Rules Book Insert but in the Coaches Guidebook also: Leagues and school districts are encouraged to conduct preseason meetings for players, parents and coaches in all sports to emphasize good sportsmanship, safety, liability concerns, risk management and rules of the game. Such meetings should take place in each sport in a separate meeting. Encourage officials to be invited to speak at preseason meetings.
 
MHSAA OFFICIALS REPORTS STATISTICS REVIEWED The Soccer Committee annually reviews the Fall Officials Reports Summary and related items printed in the February Bulletin. After discussion of the 1998 and 1999 Fall Reports, the committee suggested the following to the MHSAA staff and Bulletin readers:
1. Specify in the MSHAA Bulletin article "Schools with three or more Officials Reports" whether this includes negative and positive reports.
2. Red carded, next game disqualification offenses in soccer are similar offenses to those in which football teams receive 15 yard penalties and opponents of basketball players receive a free throw.
3. The number of boys and girls interscholastic soccer teams have increased at the freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels while the number of negative reports has only slightly changed.
 
OFFICIALS REPORT FORMS Members of the committee reviewed aspects of the Officials Report Form including praise, facility, equipment and injury topics that can be reported to the MHSAA by an official. As a result of this discussion, the committee suggested the following to the MHSAA staff: Review whether the report topic "injury" should continue to be a requirement of officials to report via the Officials Report Form. Committee members felt this is not a procedure officials follow because so many schools have trainers. Any statistical information MHSAA would gather would not reflect a true accounting of the injuries that occur because of lack of reporting.
CORRESPONDENCE REVIEWED
1. The Tri-County Soccer Referees Association submitted a letter of concern and recommendation to the MHSAA. After discussion, the committee recommended that a suggested procedure be printed in the appropriate publications for Athletic Directors review because it relates to all sports events:
 
Athletic Directors are advised to provide advance notice of any planned activity which could affect the start and/or halftime of any game in any sport. Advance notice should be given to assigned match officials, opposing teams and opposing Athletic Directors. Planned activities include parents appreciation programs, seniors recognition programs, homecoming ceremonies, and the like.
 
2. Soccer official, Tim Dystra, submitted to the Soccer Committee, an evaluation form he was asked to complete after officiating an OK Conference soccer match. The league asks officials to evaluate coaches, players and fans, after which time positive and negative responses can be followed up by the appropriate school athletic administrator. Mr. Dystra suggested that possibly a similar procedure could be used throughout the state.
 
During discussion it became clear that several leagues represented by committee members shared similar procedures. As a result, the committee suggested that the evaluation form be shared with league and conference representatives.
 
SOCCER RULE BOOK ISSUES
1. Committee members were reminded that the MHSAA Representative Council voted not to require the use of game balls with the NF authenticating mark for the 2000-01 sports seasons. The committee showed its support of this decision.
 
2. The Soccer Committee again approved the use of the expanded number of officials mechanics above and beyond what is printed in the National Federation Rules Book. In addition, the committee gave support to MHSAA staff to submit a request to the NF Soccer Committee recommending that additional officials mechanics be approved and again published in the rules book.
TOURNAMENT SERIES ISSUES Five items were brought to the attention of the soccer committee pertaining to the MHSAA Tournament series.
1. Long Distance Travel Concerns - Two requests pertained to District soccer configurations which involved extensive travel. The results of the committee discussion and review is reflected in the recommendations to the Representative Council.
 
2. Artificial Turf usage for MHSAA Tournament Series games - The committee again reviewed the use of artificial turf fields for MHSAA Tournament Series games. Committee members are aware of more schools which are resurfacing fields with artificial turf. The concerns expressed pertained to the type of playing surface depending on the company providing the artificial turf. For this reason, the committee was not willing to recommend that all artificial turf fields could be approved for district games. Therefore, the MHSAA staff will continue to evaluate each turf field before it is approved for MHSAA District tournament play.
 
3. Three-Whistle Officiating System - Sheldon Larkey, soccer official, requested the Soccer Committee endorse the use of the three whistle officiating system for MHSAA tournament series games. After extensive discussion and an expressed concern for the number of pre-district and district games officiated by the dual system, the committee requested the MSHAA emphasize to all hosts and soccer officials assignors that when at all possible, games shall be officiated by three officials who will work the diagonal officiating system. The committee expressed the importance of consistency with respect to numbers of officials working all pre-district and district level games before pressing on to endorsing the 3 whistle officiating system.
 
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
1. For the Division 1 District which involves schools of the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, select one site in the northern section and one site in the southern section to host all preliminary games; and rotate the District Final game from north to south (schools hosting preliminary games will not host the District Final game in the same year.
 
2. For the Division 4 District involving Beaver Island, every four years allow Beaver Island to host preliminary District games for which the MHSAA will pay 1/3 of the visiting schools' transportation expenses to and from the island.
 
3. Allow schools that host soccer District games their choice of the following three options with no change in the financial arrangement with MHSAA: a. Host all Semifinal and Final games. b. Host the preliminary game the host school draws and all Semi and Final games. c. Host only the games the host school draws into the top line of the bracket and the Final game (current format) n

NFHS Board of Directors Approves New Bat Rule
 The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) will have a new bat rule for the 2001 high school baseball season. At a meeting in San Francisco, the NFHS Board of Directors approved a rule calling for narrower, heavier and more wood-like bats. The maximum diameter of bats will be reduced from 2 3/4 inches to 2 5/8 inches, and the unit differential, namely the difference between bat length measured in inches and bat weight measured in ounces, will be reduced from five units to three units. The Board commended the work of the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee, but chose to defer action on two other bat-related committee proposals. One deferred proposal would have imposed a more restrictive maximum exit ball speed than the one recently adopted by the NCAA. The other would have imposed a wood-like moment-of-inertia requirement. The Board expressed interest in both proposals, but decided to return them to the rules committee for further assessment. In addition to the new size and weight limitations, the NFHS Board of Directors anticipates that bats used in play after January 1, 2001, will comply with the new NCAA exit ball speed rule. In fact, the presence of a mark denoting compliance with the NCAA bat rule will be one assurance that a bat is compliant with the size and weight components of the new NFHS rule. Although bats meeting the new NFHS rule will not be required for another year, they are legal immediately. "The game of high school baseball is in good shape," said NFHS President Dick Durost. "Even so, we need to stay vigilant to ways in which technology is having an impact. The new rule will make the physical dimensions of non-wood bats more closely mirror those of wood bats. Further changes relating to bat weight distribution and exit ball speed may soon be in the offing." n
PRESEASON TENNIS REMINDERS
 
1. Uniform. Shirt and short/skirts or a tennis dress are required. The minimum requirement for a team shirt is an unaltered shirt with sleeves, preferably in school colors or with school identification. Each individual must wear such shirts throughout the match. If a player changes shirts, he/she must have another tennis team shirt to wear. (Females may wear sleeveless tops if tailored by the manufacturer to be sleeveless. Tank tops are not allowed). Players shall not wear undergarments or tights which extend below the skirt/short. (Exception: Compression shorts which are unadorned and of a single color). Team shorts/skirts are required The team short/skirt must be the same color for all individuals and an appropriate style for tennis.
Penalty: Match shall not start unless individual or doubles team has a team uniform on. The USTA Point Penalty System for lateness will be used. (More than 15 minutes and the match is defaulted).
2. Format. All participating schools were placed in four nearly-equal divisions (Division I is made up of schools with the largest enrollment through Division IV which has the smallest enrollment). Each division will have eight regionals and two teams will qualify from each regional with the additional qualifier option still intact.
3. Placement of Players. The best player on the team must play number one singles. The remaining players whom are designated as singles players must be in ranked order, i.e. No. 2 better than No. 3, No. 3 better than No. 4. The doubles team must be ranked according to the ability of the two players as a team, not as individuals. The best doubles team must play No. 1 doubles, the next best must play No. 2, etc.
4. The tennis coaches manual as well as the USTA Friend at Court (1998) are the rules publications to be used at all high school matches.
5. Point Penalty System
1. First Offense -- Warning
2. Second Offense - Point
3. Third Offense - Match
For Dual Matches the home team coach shall serve as the Match Manager/Referee and is in charge of all rule disputes, administrative responsibilities, crowd control, etc. However, each coach shall have the power to enforce the rules and have the USTA Friend at Court to settle point of law questions.
6. Penalty for misconduct after match (at regional or final)
Penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after match - For flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct after a match is completed, the offending player will be defaulted and removed from the site as soon as authorized school personnel become available. This removal will be for the duration of the event (Regionals and Finals are considered one event). In addition, one point will be deducted from the player's team score. This rule will be in effect for all MHSAA Tennis Tournaments. n

WRESTLING COMMITTEE MEETING East Lansing, January 31, 2000
The assistant director called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. Attendance and mileage forms were completed and the committee charge was explained by the assistant director.
The committee reviewed the 1999 Wrestling Committee Meeting minutes and the 1999 Representative Council action with regard to wrestling. Several pieces of correspondence were reviewed and action was taken on the following.
 
OLD BUSINESS
1. It was suggested that wrestlers who are seeded highest ought to receive byes in the individual district seeding procedure. A motion and a second was made and the committee voted 20-0 in support of this option which will be included in the 2000-01 General Information Bulletin.
2. Correspondence read to the committee concerned the dangers of inhalers when used improperly by competing athletes. It was requested by the committee that the assistant director further investigate the use of inhalers and determine the conditions, frequency and the parameters for those who would use inhalers before and during competition.
The committee further determined that in the event there is medical support that would require specific control by the MHSAA regarding the use of inhalers that at the 2001 committee meeting the assistant director should provide a recommendation which would appropriately reflect the findings (unanimous).
3. The final correspondence which received considerable discussion by the committee was the rule changes of National Federation Rules 4-5-1 and 4-5-3 which requires the shoulder-to-shoulder weigh-in of competitors during the 1999-00 season. The MHSAA with Representative Council did not adopt these two rules for the 1999-00 season. The committee wishes the assistant director to notify the National Federation of State High School Associations of its objection to the rule as it stands and encourage the re-development of the rule to take into consideration the major changes in weight monitoring which states like Michigan have implemented. It is the position of the committee that the National Federation rules book return to the language found in the 1998-99 rule book (unanimous).
4. The committee reviewed the Hydrostatic Weighing Forms and there were several changes within the form to clarify specific elements of the procedure (unanimous).
5. The Parental Permission Form was reviewed by the committee and there were several enhancements presented for the form (unanimous).
6. The Weight Monitoring Program Information Brochure was reviewed and several additions and deletions were proposed by the assistant director (unanimous).
7. A directive with regard to the handling of the specific gravity collection procedure to be included in the brochure "Preparing For The Alpha Weigh-In" (unanimous).
NEW BUSINESS
The following items were discussed and actions taken:
1. There were compliments with regard to the home weigh-in support by the MHSAA on behalf of the coaches.
2. There was a motion to increase the number of medals provided to the District, Regional and Final champions to equal the number of wrestlers weighed in (unanimous).
3. It was proposed by the committee that the growth allowance be changed from the 15th of January to the second Sunday of January. The committee members felt that the movement of the 15th throughout the week does cause some problems when it comes to accepting the two pound growth allowance and adoption of a Sunday date for implementation of the two pound growth allowance would eliminate some of the confusion and controversy that has existed (unanimous).
4. There was some concern that it might be more advantageous for the wrestling season to begin practice early in December and competition early in January. The committee requested that a survey be conducted within the athletic director community to determine if they would support such a modification (unanimous).
5. There was discussion of nutrition education and a request that the MHSAA remind schools that they must have an administrator present to conduct each home weigh-in during the season.
6. Following considerable discussion, the committee requested that the Representative Council consider adding a team championship to the individual state competition (unanimous).
7. The committee had extensive discussion about the involvement of Upper Peninsula schools which sponsor wrestling in the Lower Peninsula Individual Tournament. The committee asked that the MHSAA explore the interest among those 17 schools which sponsor wrestling in the Upper Peninsula to determine if they had interest in participating in the Individual Final Tournament along with the Lower Peninsula schools (unanimous).
8. It was requested that National Federation Rule 7-3-2 be modified so that in addition to a near fall point which could be earned when the wrestler leaves the wrestling area to avoid wrestling, like other technical violations the technical violation penalty could also be awarded. In essence the wrestler who had earned near fall points could earn an extra point for the 2-point or 3-point near fall (11-4 opposed).
9. The final topic of discussion was to modify the Final Meet so that two divisions would compete on six mats during a reduced section of each day, bringing all back to the mats for the Finals on Saturday. The coaches promoted this change in procedure to shorten the day for each division and provide the opportunity for wrestling to move more quickly among the divisions (unanimous).
 
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE
REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
1. There was a motion to increase the number of medals provided to the District, Regional and Final champions to equal the number of wrestlers weighed in.
2. It was proposed by the committee that the growth allowance be changed from the 15 of January to the second Sunday of January.
3. Consider adding a team championship to the individual state competition. n

Quick Facts
Date: September 27, 2000
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Lansing Center, Lansing, Michigan (333 E. Michigan Avenue)
Cost: $20 (Includes conference materials, refreshments & lunch)
Host: Michigan High School Athletic Association
Who Should Attend: School administrators; team coaches; media; leaders of booster clubs, coaches and officials associations, leagues and conferences; cheerleading advisors
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