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.)

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.

Adoption of these regulations is a choice schools make locally when they consider their option of MHSAA membership. 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 post-season tournaments it sponsors to those schools which choose to 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.

Chassell and Calumet-Copper Country Christian High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - The Executive Committee approved the addition of boys and girls track and field to the cooperative agreement that exists between these schools in boys basketball. The combined enrollment of 110 students will place the school in Division 3 of the UP Tournament.

Ann Arbor-Huron High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student currently enrolled at Kingston (NY) High School. The student will be moving with his family, who intends to close on the purchase of a home in Ann Arbor approximately Nov. 30, 2000, and on the sale of its residence in New York approximately Dec. 15, 2000. This student will move with his father, who will be employed in Ypsilanti beginning approximately Jan. 2, 2001. The student's mother will complete the academic year as a principal in New York while the student's older brother finishes 12th grade and graduates.

Noting that the student has not enrolled in an MHSAA member school nor relocated his residence to Ann Arbor, and considering also that the family has not met the obligations at either end of a completed change of residence and that the student is enrolled in a school where he has athletic eligibility so that the standards of an undue hardship are not approached, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Ann Arbor-Huron High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who previously attended high school in Nova Scotia where he did not participate in athletics (the school has no teams). He seeks to participate in ice hockey. Huron High School does not sponsor a subvarsity team in the sport, so Section 9(B) is not an option. He relocated from his mother's residence to relatives to assist him in avoiding use of alcohol and other drugs. No date of enrollment was provided.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Bay City-All Saints Central High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Bay City Western as a 9th-grader when he participated on its swimming team. He seeks to try out for junior varsity basketball. He enrolled Aug. 28, 2000.

Because of the specific conditions of the regulation adopted by the Representative Council, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Bronson High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who moved from the residence of his mother in Hillsdale to the residence of his father in Bronson. The parents were never married but both are identified on the student's birth certificate. An otherwise completed Educational Transfer Form was received.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Carson City-Crystal High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility at the subvarsity level only was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended 9th grade at Stanton-Central Montcalm where it is unknown if the student participated in school sports. He enrolled Aug. 22, 2000.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for first semester subvarsity eligibility, pending written confirmation that the student did not participate at the previous school in an interscholastic scrimmage or contest on any level in any sport which concludes with an MHSAA tournament.

Dearborn-Divine Child High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of an 11th-grade student who attended Divine Child for 9th and 10th grades. He attended Redford-Thurston High School from Sept. 5 to Sept. 15, 2000, and then returned to Divine Child on Sept. 18. He did not participate in athletics at Thurston.

Because the period of attendance was brief and without athletic participation and the student returned to the original school, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Detroit-St. Martin de Porres High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation to permit immediate eligibility on behalf of a student who attended St. Martin de Porres High School during the first semester of 9th grade and transferred to his local public school in January 2000. His family relocated during the summer to a new public school attendance area. The residence is equidistant between Detroit-Benedictine and St. Martin de Porres High Schools, and the student enrolled at St. Martin de Porres.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Eau Claire High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level during the remainder of the 2000-01 school year was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who previously attended Watervliet High School where she did not participate in its sports program. She enrolled Nov. 2, 2000 at Eau Claire.

The Executive Committee granted the request to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level during the remainder of the 2000-01 school year.

Gobles High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Gobles Public Schools for grades K through 9. He began 10th grade at Allegan High School, attending one day before reenrolling at Gobles High School. He did not participate in athletics at Allegan.

Because the period of attendance was brief and without athletic participation and the student returned to the original school, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Haslett High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who relocated from the residence of his father in St. Louis (MO) to the residence of his mother in Haslett. The parents were never married and only the mother is indicated on the birth certificate.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Holland-West Ottawa High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who previously attended Riverside High School in Brookfield (IL) where he participated in football. He relocated from the residence of his biological mother to the residence of his biological father, who were never married. No documentation was provided.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Howard City-Tri County Area High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who previously attended Ravenna High School where she did not participate in athletics. The date of enrollment at Tri County was Oct. 24, 2000.

The Executive Committee granted the request to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level during the remainder of the 2000-01 school year.

Houghton High School (Regulation I, Section 9[C]) - Requests to waive the transfer regulation were made on behalf of two 11th-grade students who last year attended Calumet-Copper Country Christian School where they practiced with the Houghton High/Copper Country Christian School cooperative program in ice hockey.

The Executive Committee granted the requests for waiver to participate during the first semester of the 2000-01 school year in ice hockey only, provided in each case the student was on the eligibility list for ice hockey during the 1999-00 school year and was enrolled at Houghton High School by the fourth Friday after Labor Day, 2000.

Lowell High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level during the first semester of the 2000-01 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended 9th grade at Rockford where she did not participate in high school athletics. She enrolled at the beginning of Lowell's 2000-01 school year.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at the subvarsity level only during the first semester of the 2000-01 school year.

Mackinaw City High School (Regulation I, Section 9[D]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who last year attended 9th grade at St. Ignace-LaSalle where he participated in 9th-grade basketball. He enrolled at Mackinaw City High School on Oct. 9, 2000.

The Executive Committee granted waiver effective with the student's 91st school day of enrollment at Mackinaw City High School.

Rochester Hills-Lutheran Northwest High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled Oct. 31, 2000, having previously attended Rochester Hills Christian Leadership Academy where he did not participate in athletics (the Academy sponsors no sports). He enrolled Oct. 31, 2000.

The Executive Committee granted the request to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level during the remainder of the 2000-01 school year.

Utica High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended 9th grade at Pontiac-Notre Dame Preparatory where he participated in wrestling and football. The student indicated his change of school was for law classes available at Utica High School.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver, noting that it cannot be put in the position of making decisions by comparing member schools' curricula.

Wyoming Park High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of a 10th-grade student who has relocated from the residence of his biological mother in Newaygo to the residence of his birth father in Wyoming. The parents were never married. The birth certificate does not name the father but a joint legal custody order that identifies these people as the plaintiff mother and defendant father and an otherwise completed Educational Transfer Form were provided.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

St. Clair High School (Regulation II, Section 11[G]) - Request was made to waive the "three-player" rule so that the school might hire a girls volleyball coach who had coached the school's 9th-grade team during the 1999-00 school year and coached an AAU team last spring on which five St. Clair students participated.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for the current school year only, noting that neither the school nor coach intended that this person would coach again in 2000-01, and the school had made extensive but unsuccessful efforts to find an alternative to this coach.

Hillsdale Academy (Regulation III, Section 1) - Request was made to waive Interpretation No. 223 to permit 6th-grade boys to participate on the 7th and 8th-grade basketball teams of Hillsdale Academy, whose 9-12 grade enrollment is 43.

The Executive Committee granted the request for boys basketball and the 2000-01 school year only.

After the June 10, 1998 report to the Executive Committee, two more violations came to light: (1) Regulation II, Section 8(B) - failure to attend a Boys Tennis Rules Meeting or the head coach to pass the rules examination; and (2) Regulation II, Section 7(B) - failure to rate any officials in girls volleyball. In addition, the MHSAA had been contacted by the United Federation of Officials about failure by Inkster Public Schools to pay officials.

After the June 9, 1999 meeting, three more violations came to light for 1998-99: Baseball - failure to rate any officials; Softball - failure of head coach to attend rules meeting or pass exam; and Softball - failure to rate any officials.

Therefore, at its Oct. 13, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee requested that MHSAA staff meet with the new athletic director, other administrators and board members regarding the association's expectations for institutional control over its program. Subsequently, the athletic director resigned and another was appointed.

The next event of concern was the failure of Inkster High School to show for its MHSAA Girls Basketball District Tournament game at River Rouge on Nov. 18, 1999.

On Nov. 23, 1999, the new athletic director, interim superintendent and a board of education member met with three MHSAA staff to review problems and solutions.

All of this was reviewed by the Executive Committee on Dec. 1, 1999, when the Executive Committee voted to continue probation for Inkster High School through the 2000-01 school year and requested staff continue to monitor the school's administration of its interscholastic athletic program.

After that action, the following occurred:

Then the following occurred:

A 12th-grade student who attended Inkster High School until November of 1999, moved with his father to Southfield and attended Southfield Lathrup High School. The student reenrolled at Inkster High School March 4, 2000. Originally, MHSAA staff was told by school administration and the father that the student relocated to Inkster without his father and was advised by Inkster's previous athletic director that if he enrolled by March 15, he would be eligible at the start of the 2000-01 school year. More recently, it was alleged but not established that the father relocated with his son to an apartment within the Inkster School District.

On Sept. 15, 2000, based on information available at that time, an MHSAA assistant director advised the superintendent of schools that the student was ineligible under the transfer regulation and that Inkster High School must forfeit all contests in which he had participated (the first three games).

On Sept. 25, 2000, based on the fact that the school had provided no information that the student had satisfied the transfer regulation before his participation, and with a reliable report that the student had played in a football contest (the fourth game) in spite of the assistant director's earlier notification that the student was ineligible, the executive director communicated to the superintendent that in view of these violations, both inadvertent and intentional, and inasmuch as the school was already on probation through the 2001-02 school year for a long history of administrative violations, it was required that the MHSAA now consider suspension of the school from participation in MHSAA post-season tournaments through the probationary period. The executive director asked for the school's written response by Oct. 6, such response being received Oct. 6 and requesting reinstatement of the student's eligibility.

At its Oct. 11, 2000 meeting, the Executive Committee noted the long history of administrative violations by Inkster High school and that neither meetings with Inkster School District administration and board members nor imposition of penalties had led to improved compliance. Also noted was the administration's inability or unwillingness to withhold from competition a student whose eligibility had not been established. It was the Executive Committee's decision that the student remain ineligible during the first semester of the 2000-01 school year, that all games in which he participated be forfeited, that the school be ineligible for MHSAA post-season tournaments in all sports during the fall of the 2000-01 school year, and that the school's administration appear before the Executive Committee in January to show cause why the suspension from tournaments should not continue through the 2001-02 school year.

Inkster High School requested a review of its situation at this regularly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee so that consideration might be given to permitting the girls basketball team to enter the 2000 MHSAA Girls Basketball Tournament.

Representing the school district were two members of the Board of Education, several administrators and four student-athletes.

The school district's presentation included information regarding past difficulties within the school district, current efforts to reorganize from the board of education down through the department of athletics and to improve the curriculum and resources of the school district, and projections of increased student enrollment and improved academic achievement.

The school district disclosed and admitted that the interim athletic director had discovered two occasions during the 1999-00 school year when ineligible students participated in competition: an unenrolled student in girls basketball and an ineligible transfer student in track and field (same student and coach involved in the football situation this fall). It was also learned that the school had violated the requirement that physical exam cards be on file for all participants prior to competition.

While pleading for relief from the current suspensions, school administrators and board members described a decade of corruption and the current commitment to change. They stated their appreciation for the athletic association's past patience and cooperation and their commitment to adhering to all rules in the future and to removing persons who violate rules; and they welcomed renewal of the two-year ban from MHSAA tournament participation should there be any future violations.

The Executive Committee expressed concern that the aggressive recruitment for students to assure the profitability of the district would create problems in the administration of athletics, noting that a letter attributed to the interim athletic director and girls basketball coach to schools of the Mega Conference has already created hard feelings and allegations of undue influence within that program.

The Executive Committee noted that the MHSAA transfer regulation accommodates the exercise of choices in education but tends to frustrate excessive choice and choices made primarily for athletic reasons. The Executive Committee determined that it is not its role to make decisions that would encourage student transfers or would benefit the finances of one school district over another; in fact, it was reconfirmed that those must not be considerations in Executive Committee decision-making.

In response to the school district's representatives' candor and their strongly stated commitment to compliance and their general ideas for corrective action and future oversight, the Executive Committee determined Inkster High School will become eligible for MHSAA tournament competition in the 2001-02 school year, provided:

Transfer Regulation - As part of the ongoing study of the best practices and recent innovations of other statewide high school associations, the Executive Committee reviewed two recent changes in Ohio:

It was noted that both changes bring the rules of Ohio schools more into conformance with rules adopted by MHSAA member schools.

Investigations Primer - The Executive Committee reviewed and contributed ideas for improvement to a draft copy of material intended to guide staff in responding to written or oral allegations of Handbook violations.

National Federation Annual Meeting - The Executive Committee reviewed Representative Council reimbursement policies and recommended no changes.

Ramblewood Park Condominium - The executive director provided progress reports regarding construction on Unit 4, compliance issues for Unit 5, and road repair.

Lease Space - The executive director explained plans for building out the lease space at the MHSAA office at no expense to the MHSAA.

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.)

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.

Adoption of these regulations is a choice schools make locally when they consider their option of MHSAA membership. 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 choose to 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.

Saugatuck and Holland Christian High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - Request was made to waive the enrollment regulation to allow these schools to enter into a cooperative agreement in varsity football. Saugatuck has been forced to drop its varsity program for two years and Holland Christian will not offer football at the varsity level for two years. The combined enrollment of the schools for 2000-01 MHSAA Tournament classification purposes is 1,176 while 991 is the limit of the regulation.

The Executive Committee granted waiver of applicable regulations and approved the cooperative program in varsity football for 2001 and 2002 only with the understanding that the team may not participate in the 2001 and 2002 MHSAA Football Playoffs and that the program will be considered a Class A program for the purposes of determining opponents' Playoff point averages.

Grand Rapids-Creston High School (Regulation I, Section 7) - Request to waive the previous semester record regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who passed two of six courses during each semester of the 9th grade and three of five courses during the first grading period of 10th grade. An Oct. 18, 2000 MET report indicates he was eligible for special education services. An IEP referral was made Aug. 8, 2000, and the IEP on Oct. 18 made an initial placement on Oct. 23. On Nov. 17, 2000, one grade of the first marking period was changed from "no credit" to "credit."

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver, noting it would be inappropriate for it to consider waiver of a statewide policy when the local school district either does not have or does not apply a policy to review or revise grades of a previous semester.

South Haven High School (Regulation I, Section 8) - Request was made to permit eligibility for students (and particularly for a 10th-grade student who desired to play subvarsity basketball) who attend Bangor Career Academy. South Haven had not previously provided eligibility to alternative education students and did not include any on the Enrollment Declaration Form it submitted in February 2000 for the 2000-01 school year.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver, subject to the following conditions:

Alanson-Littlefield High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who relocated from the residence of his father in Onaway to the residence of his mother in the Littlefield district. The parents were never married. An otherwise completed Educational Transfer Form was provided but no other documentation.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver pending submission of documentation satisfactory to the executive director that demonstrates these adults are the student's birth parents.

Ann Arbor-Huron High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - For the Nov. 8, 2000 Executive Committee Meeting, a late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student enrolled at Kingston (NY) High School. It was indicated the student would be relocating with his family, who intends to close on the purchase of a home in Ann Arbor approximately Nov. 30, 2000, and on the sale of its residence in New York approximately Dec. 15, 2000. This student would move with his father, who will be employed in Ypsilanti beginning approximately Jan. 2, 2001. The student's mother would complete the academic year as a principal in New York while the student's older brother finishes 12th grade and graduates.

Based on additional information from the school and family, the matter was reconsidered; and the Executive Committee determined that the student would become eligible under the following conditions:

Battle Creek-Family Altar Christian School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who attended Family Altar in 8th grade when he was suspended once and nearly again and then enrolled in a different Christian school, where his conduct improved under that school's strict rules of conduct.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Battle Creek-Family Altar Christian School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who did not participate in sports at her previous school. No date of enrollment was provided.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver. If the school sponsors a subvarsity program, this student may participate in it under Section 9(B).

Bloomfield Hills-Brother Rice High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who had previously attended U of D Jesuit High School and enrolled at Brother Rice before the first day of classes of the current school year. The change would reduce travel time from the family's residence in Rochester and permit the student's mother to assist more with care of his grandfather who is ill.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Colon High School (Regulation I, Section 9[D]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility after 90 school days of enrollment at Colon High School was made on behalf of a student who attended Mendon High School before enrolling April 12, 2000 at Colon. There was no change of residence and no reason was provided.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Dearborn Heights-Robichaud High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who attended Redford-Bishop Borgess High School through June 2000. The student has been without his father since the age of 5 and the student's mother died June 21, 2000. He moved to California to live with an aunt, and he attended school there for ten weeks. He then returned to Michigan to live with his brother in the Westwood Community School District (Robichaud).

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Dearborn Heights-Robichaud High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled at Robichaud Nov. 13, 2000, having previously attended U of D Jesuit High School where he did not participate in athletics.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at the subvarsity level only during the 2000-01 school year.

Eastpointe-East Detroit High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who was relocating from the residence of his mother in New York to the residence of his father in Eastpointe. The parents were never married, but birth records indicated the birth parents and an otherwise completed Educational Transfer Form was provided.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Holland-West Ottawa High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level for a 10th-grade student who enrolled Aug. 30, 2000 at West Ottawa after attending 9th grade at Holland High School where the student did not participate in athletics.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at the subvarsity level only during the first semester 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 two 11th-grade students who enrolled at Houghton Lake in November 2000. One was a victim of sexual assault by an employee of their previous school while both were at that employee's home.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Houghton Lake High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who previously attended another high school where she did not participate in athletics. She enrolled at the start of Houghton Lake's second marking period.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at the subvarsity level only during the 2000-01 school year.

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 was experiencing difficulties with students at Jenison High School, which affirmed the facts. She enrolled Nov. 14, 2000 at Unity Christian.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Jackson Christian High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level on behalf of an 11th-grade student who had attended Parma-Western High School since moving from Indiana last summer. He participated last year in basketball at the small Christian school he attended in Indiana but did not participate in any sport at Parma-Western.

Pursuant to the specific conditions of this section which have been adopted by the Representative Council and member schools, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Lowell High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level during the first semester of the 2000-01 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended 9th grade at Grand Rapids Baptist High School where he did not participate in interscholastic athletics. He enrolled at Lowell at the start of the 2000-01 school year.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at the subvarsity level only during the first semester of the 2000-01 school year.

Manton High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who previously attended Ravenna High School where he did not participate in an interscholastic scrimmage or contest. The student enrolled at Manton in November.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at the subvarsity level only during the 2000-01 school year.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Muskegon-Orchard View High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student who relocated with his mother from the Reeths-Puffer High School district where they lived with the student's father. There was no divorce. The student enrolled at Orchard View High School on Nov. 10, 2000.

Pursuant to the requirement of the regulation for completed court documents of finalized divorce proceedings, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Muskegon-Orchard View High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student who relocated with his mother from the Muskegon-Oakridge School District where they lived with the student's stepfather. A divorce is in progress. The student enrolled at Orchard View High School on Aug. 24, 2000.

Noting that the regulation adopted by the Representative Council and member schools requires the divorce be final, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

New Baltimore-Anchor Bay High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled on Anchor Bay's first day of school (Aug. 29) after attending for one week at Lutheran East High School where he did not participate in any sports activities.

The Executive Committee granted the request for eligibility at the subvarsity level only during the first semester of the 2000-01 school year.

Ortonville-Brandon High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level during the remainder of the 2000-01 school year was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled Nov. 2, 2000, having previously attended Springfield Christian Academy where she did not participate in interscholastic athletics.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at the subvarsity level only during the remainder of the 2000-01 school year.

Ortonville-Brandon High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the subvarsity level during the remainder of the 2000-01 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who enrolled Nov. 2, 2000, having previously attended Springfield Christian Academy where he participated in its soccer program.

Pursuant to the explicit condition of the section of the regulation developed by the Representative Council and adopted by member schools, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Southgate Anderson High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of an 11th-grade student who began this school year at Detroit-Mumford and was enrolled at Southgate Anderson Oct. 5, 2000, having begun the process of withdrawal from Mumford on Sept. 27, 2000. He relocated from his mother's residence to relatives in the Southgate Anderson High School district.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver, effective with the first day of classes of the second semester of the 2000-01 school year.

Holt High School (Regulation II, Section 15) - Request was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student to compete in Division 2 of the 2001 Girls Gymnastics Tournament, which will be 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, 1999; and Division 2 for all other gymnasts. This student competed at USAG Level 10 at ages 9 to 11, leaving USAG in October 1994. The student competed in Division 1 in 9th, 10th and 11th-grades.

Noting that some of the student's scores are competitive and in the absence of documented injury, the Executive Committee determined that the student must participate in Division 1 if she participates in the MHSAA Girls Gymnastics Tournament.

Hillsdale-Will Carleton Academy (Regulation III, Section 1) - Request was made to waive Interpretation No. 223 to permit 6th-grade male students to participate in the 7th and 8th-grade boys basketball program.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for boys basketball and the 2000-01 school year only.

The school also sought waiver of the condition that its Membership Resolution must be received by the fourth Friday after Labor Day in order to participate in MHSAA tournaments during that school year. The school's resolution was received Oct. 2, 2000. Its support material was completed Nov. 22, 2000. The school desired to participate in Boys Basketball and Volleyball Tournaments, in which schools were assigned to Districts by committee earlier in the fall.

Because winter tournament formats have been set by committees and the addition of this school would require reassignment of schools in several cases, the Executive Committee determined that the earliest MHSAA tournament participation by this school would be the tournaments concluding the spring season of the 2000-01 school year.

Credit Card Authorization - As the first step in permitting constituents to utilize credit cards when transacting business with the MHSAA on the Internet, the MHSAA will allow officials to renew their registration online with the MHSAA for 2001-02, charging with one of several credit cards. The Executive Committee approved the resolution required by National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois before utilizing its services to administer the credit card convenience.

Representative Council - The Executive Committee reviewed the schedule and agenda for the Representative Council Meeting later that morning.

Next Meetings - The next meetings of the Executive Committee are scheduled for: Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2001, at 8:30 a.m. in East Lansing; Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing; Thursday, March 22, 2001, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing; Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing; Saturday, May 5, 2001, at 6 p.m. in Gaylord; and Wednesday, June 6, 2001, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing. n

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Accounts of Meetings - Motion by William Newkirk, supported by Keith Eldred, to approve with presented amendments the minutes of the Representative Council Meeting of May 6-9, 2000; the Executive Committee Meetings of May 5, June 14, Aug. 16, Sept. 13, Oct. 11 and Nov. 8, 2000; the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee Meeting of Sept. 15, 2000; and the Board of Canvassers Meetings of Sept. 15 and Oct. 4, 2000. Adopted.

Legislation - The executive director previewed the "lame duck" session of the Michigan Legislature and expectations for the new year. Several persons who serve on or who have attended meetings of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Gender Equity in Michigan High School Sports provided observations that were mostly uncomplimentary of the process but encouraging regarding the outcome with respect to the MHSAA's image.

Litigation - Attorney Edmund Sikorski reviewed the only new litigation in which the MHSAA has been involved since the May meeting of the Council, which was a successful defense of the MHSAA's policies and procedures in an action brought against the MHSAA by the parent of a basketball player at Inkster High School, which has been prohibited from participation in MHSAA tournaments in all sports through at least the 2000-01 school year as a result of accumulated violations and an absence of institutional control over the interscholastic athletic program.

Mr. Sikorski reviewed possible time schedules for decisions in the Reid (home school) and CFE (sports seasons) cases which were initiated against the MHSAA 19 and 29 months ago, respectively.

Mr. Roberts provided an overview of sports season challenges involving other state high school associations. In spite of schools' long-standing opposition to change, in Montana and South Dakota girls volleyball and basketball seasons will be reversed by schools in 2002-03 as a reaction to their concerns for the expense of litigation, the threat of loss of insurance and fear of US government intervention. It was pointed out, however, that the settlements negotiated with the US government in those cases assure government oversight for at least four years.

Results of the 2000 Update Meeting surveys were reviewed by the executive director and discussed by the Representative Council.

The requirement of schools to register all nonfaculty coaches and the variety of ways that may be accomplished were presented by the executive director, who noted that high school registrations were the highest ever in 1998-99 (9,643 coaches) and again in 1999-00 (11,571 coaches), junior high/middle school registrations were the highest ever in 1999-00 (1,562 coaches), and that the number of schools registering nonfaculty coaches was the highest ever in 1999-00 (651 high schools and 326 junior high/middle schools); and he predicted that new forms, procedures and means of communication will continue to increase the number of coaches who are registered during 2000-01. There was discussion by Council of the rationale for the administrative requirement to register nonfaculty coaches and the fact that there is no organizational consequence for failure to register any nonfaculty coaches.

Athletic Director In-Service/New Coaches Orientation - Associate Director Jerry Cvengros reported the staff's plans for Athletic Director In-Service programs in 2001 and 2002, as well as ideas for new coach orientation in 2001 and how it might expand thereafter. Motion by Eric Federico, supported by Karen Leinaar, to affirm the initiatives in these areas of in-service training for athletic directors and coaches. Adopted. Council members endorsed the MHSAA's hands-on role in in-servicing both athletic directors and coaches, and urged that the four-hour new coach orientation complement and not compete with the longer PACE program and that staff be prepared to provide the new coach orientation at multiple large sites to meet demand.

Out-of-Season Issues - At its May 2000 meeting, the Representative Council authorized the convening of an ad hoc committee to study concerns and promote communication to entities involved with out-of-season AAU and other competitions. Assistant Director Nate Hampton reported on the progress of the ad hoc committee, which has made four recommendations to the Representative Council, including the preparation of a flier to identify MHSAA/member school philosophy on sports specialization, a brochure directed toward member school administrators, coaches, athletes and parent support groups on the philosophy and reasons for participating in multiple sports, and a video directed at coaches, athletes and parents on the philosophies and reasons for participating in multiple sports.

Motion by William Newkirk, supported by Judy Raica, to commend the committee for its work to date, to support continued efforts and to request updates to the Representative Council regarding these projects in March and May. Adopted.

Three-Person Rule - At its May 2000 meeting, the Representative Council authorized an ad hoc committee to examine three-player rule applications and alternatives in several sports. Assistant Director Gina Mazzolini and two Council members who participated on the ad hoc committee reported on the committee's deliberations.

Motion by Tom Rashid, supported by William Newkirk, to approve a second meeting of the ad hoc committee with primary but not exclusive focus to be on the application and effect of the three-person rule to individual sports. Adopted.

Motion by Earl Rickman, supported by Tom Rashid, to approve the ad hoc committee recommendations. Adopted

Authenticating Mark - The executive director provided an update of the National Federation Authenticating Mark Program and the possibility that the MHSAA could be excluded from National Federation rules committees if the association continued to delay implementation. Council members expressed negative comments for the National Federation initiative, objecting to this program on philosophical as well as practical concerns, citing the potential for disruption of contests and increased costs to schools.

Motion by Randy Salisbury, supported by Robert Riemersma, to follow the National Federation Authenticating Mark rule at the varsity level only in all applicable sports except ice hockey beginning with the 2001-02 school year. Adopted.

Administrative Violations and Penalties - The most frequent violation of the MHSAA Handbook is Regulation II, Section 7(B) -- failure to rate any officials at all in a sport for which ratings are maintained, and compliance is getting worse. The Executive Committee requested at its August 1998 meeting that the Representative Council December 1998 agenda include a discussion of this topic and the possibility of publishing in the MHSAA Bulletin the names of schools which fail to rate any officials at all in a sport for two consecutive years. At that meeting, several Council members expressed the need to take a harder line with schools that repeatedly violate this regulation, while some Council members were concerned that students should not lose the opportunity to participate in MHSAA tournaments because of the administrative failings of school staff. Ultimately, the Council voted to publish in the MHSAA Bulletin the names of schools which fail to rate any officials at all in a sport for two consecutive years. The first listing occurred following the processing of ratings for the 1999-00 school year.

At its August 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee noted that many schools were continuing to violate both the ratings requirement (Section 7[B]) and the requirement that head coaches attend a rules meeting or pass the rules examination for the sport (Section 8[B]). The Executive Committee requested that the Representative Council December 1999 agenda include the possibility of (1) publishing in the MHSAA Bulletin the names of schools whose head coach fails to attend the rules meeting or pass the examination, and (2) imposing penalties that reduce or eliminate MHSAA tournament reimbursements, hosting opportunities and participation privileges. At that meeting, the Council's action was to require that the MHSAA Bulletin list the names of schools whose head coach fails to attend the rules meeting or pass the examination and that further consideration of other actions be delayed until December 2000.

It was reported to the Council that violations of both types continue to increase. A discussion was held regarding the value of these requirements, new ways to encourage compliance, and alternative penalties. It was pointed out that while violations of these requirements are numerous in quantity, they are small in percentage, given the number of schools and sports that must adhere to these administrative requirements. There was discussion of the value of these requirements and root causes for failure to meet the requirements.

Communications Director John Johnson explained and demonstrated a webcast of a rules meeting as an idea for supplementing the traditional delivery system for rules meetings to coaches and officials.

More discussion is scheduled for the March meeting of the Representative Council, and no action is anticipated before the May meeting of the Representative Council with respect to changes in requirements or consequences.

Baseball Bats - At its May 2000 meeting, the Representative Council took no action regarding a proposal from a league to delay implementation of the new National Federation baseball bat standards, which are scheduled to become effective Jan. 1, 2001. The executive director was to appeal to the National Federation Board of Directors to delay implementation. The executive director reported to Council in a memo on Aug. 4, 2000 that there was no sentiment on the National Federation Board to delay implementation. The National Federation Baseball Rule Book bat standards will be effective for all levels of competition involving MHSAA member schools beginning with the 2001 season.

Softball Bats - A proposal of the Michigan High School Coaches Association was considered. It asked the MHSAA to make an exception to National Federation rules so that softball bats which meet existing standards and have a "grandfathered" sticker allowing their use through Dec. 31, 2001 may be used after that date as well.

Motion by William Newkirk, supported by Karen Leinaar, to instruct staff to carry this proposal to the National Federation Softball Rule Interpreters Meeting in January and National Federation Softball Rules Committee Meeting in June 2001. Adopted.

Saline High School (Regulation I, Sections 4 & 5) - In the spring of 1999, request was made of the Executive Committee to waive the maximum semesters portions of the eligibility regulation on behalf of a student who first enrolled in the 9th grade for the 1996-97 school year at a large school in Virginia where he did not participate in high school sports. Upon his transfer to Saline, he was reenrolled in the 9th grade, and he completed eight semesters in 1999-00. He requested 9th and 10th semesters during the 2000-01 school year.

Meeting with the Executive Committee on Aug. 18, 1999, the parents indicated they chose to have their son repeat 9th grade because his father had a job change, the student's brother had left for college, and the student had not done well academically in 9th grade (B- grade point average). Other factors indicated were his size, maturity and that he didn't fit in. He tried out for the baseball team but didn't make the team. The athletic director indicated the student could have sufficient credits to graduate in June 2000.

At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee found there were no special circumstances that required the repeat of 9th grade. It was a choice, and Saline High School even accepted four credits from the student's first year in 9th grade. Therefore, the student was enduring no hardship by the application of the maximum semesters rules, which were serving their intended purposes in this case. The request for waiver was denied.

The school requested that the Representative Council waive the maximum semesters section of the regulation for this student.

Motion by Norm Johnson, supported by William Newkirk, to deny the request for waiver, consistent with the rationale of the Executive Committee. Adopted.

Ann Arbor-Huron High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - For the Nov. 8, 2000 Executive Committee Meeting, a late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who previously attended high school in Nova Scotia where he did not participate in athletics (the school has no teams). He sought to participate in ice hockey. Huron High School does not sponsor a subvarsity team in the sport, so Section 9(B) was not an option. He relocated from his mother's residence in Canada to relatives in Ann Arbor to assist him in avoiding use of alcohol and other drugs. No date of enrollment was provided.

The school requested that the Representative Council waive the transfer regulation for this student.

Motion by Keith Alto, supported by Don Weatherspoon, to refer this item to the Executive Committee for its reconsideration if additional independent documentation is provided regarding the circumstances of this student's living situation in Canada. Adopted.

Awards - Associate Director Jerry Cvengros reported that there were nine nominees for the 11th Women in Sports Leadership Award and that the Awards Committee narrowed the candidates to four, which were presented to the Representative Council. Council members were asked to vote for one or two candidates. The name(s) of the recipient(s) will be released at an appropriate time and the recipient(s) will be honored during the awards luncheon of the 2001 Women in Sports Leadership Conference.

Mr. Cvengros reported that there were 13 nominees for the Charles E. Forsythe Award and that the Awards Committee narrowed the candidates to four, which were presented to the Representative Council members for a ballot vote. The names of the recipients will be released at an appropriate time and the recipient(s) will be honored during the 2000 Class B Boys Basketball Finals Tournament game.

Meeting Expenses - Expenses for this meeting were approved at the specified hotel rates for accommodations and parking, the IRS specified meal allowance and a 30¢ per mile mileage allowance round-trip.

Future Meetings - The next meeting of the Representative Council will be held on Friday, March 23, 2001, 8:15 a.m. at the MHSAA building in East Lansing. The spring meeting of the Representative Council will be May 6-8, 2001, at Marsh Ridge in Gaylord.

The meeting was adjourned. n

Election of Officers - Officers elected to serve through the fall 2001 meeting of the Representative Council were President Paul Ellinger, Vice President Keith Eldred and Secretary-Treasurer Tom Rashid.

The president appointed Dan Flynn to serve on the Executive Committee on a regular basis during 2001, with the fifth position filled on a rotating basis by other Council members.

William Newkirk and Randy Salisbury were invited to serve with the president and secretary-treasurer on the MHSAA Finance Committee for 2001.

Selection of Appointed Members - According to the MHSAA Constitution, "It is the annual responsibility of the Council to ascertain that the Council elective process has provided for the representation of females and minorities. If, in the judgment of the Council, these results have not been achieved, said Council shall appoint not to exceed four Representative Council members-at-large for two-year terms."

The Representative Council appointed Margra Grillo, Board of Education member for the Gladwin Community Schools, and Kathy McGee, Athletic Director at Flint-Powers Catholic High School, to two-year terms on the Representative Council.

The meeting was adjourned. n

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We're always looking for new ways to say old things. When we had the breakdown of sportsmanship during the 1995-96 school year, we sought new ways to talk about sportsmanship. People had begun to tune out, so we spoke with new vocabulary and new volume.

When you believe in what you're doing, you don't seek to change what you're doing when people tune out; you seek to find new ways to say old things.

This really wasn't on my mind, but it happened anyway, as I was reading Steven L. Carter's book, God's Name in Vain: The Wrongs and Rights of Religion in Politics. Carter makes the statement, "If faith lives by resisting, it dies by conforming."

I believe the same is true for educational athletics.

School sports survive so long as they resist characteristics common to other sports programs, such as nationalism, commercialism, professionalism and hooliganism.

School sports will die by conforming to nationalism, commercialism, professionalism, hooliganism, and to the absurd policies and excessive practices of non-school youth sports, much of intercollegiate athletics and professional programs. If we try to be like them, we will lose our place and our purpose.

School sports were created several generations ago to be different than the opportunities that were available to school-age students at that time, which were run by colleges or were semi-professional programs in which it was not unusual for 15-year-olds to be matched with 25-year-olds, some of whom were "professionals" and some of whom were not even enrolled in the schools they were representing.

It is by our separation that school sports exist and have a place and a purpose both within schools and within sports. Our niche in the world of education, and our niche in the world of athletics, is local, wholesome, pure, amateur, low-commercial, sportsmanlike, educational athletics.

If we look at other sports programs and say, "Everybody does it," or, "If you can't beat 'em, then join 'em," then we assure we will be beaten.

If there is no difference between a high school program and a non-school program, then there is no reason for a high school to bother with that program. There has to be a difference for schools to make the effort. There has to be a difference for the MHSAA to make the effort. There has to be a difference for you to make the effort.

So in closing on this day, I use with new meaning the over-used phrase, "Make a difference." Make our program different than sports by any other sponsor on any other level. Do this to preserve our place in schools and our place in sports. n

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The MHSAA Handbook, Regulation II, Sections 5 and 6 lists requirements for competitions which are hosted by non-member entities, involve teams or individuals from another state or are held out of the state. Depending on the situation, the following actions should be taken:

Now the NCAA is considering cutting off one of those legs. At its October meeting, the NCAA Management Council for-warded to member schools for com-ment proposals to eliminate amateurism expectations for student athletes at the Division I level. The issue is expected to generate substantial debate until the legislative process takes its course and a final decision is rendered in April 2001.

The debate over amateurism is being framed as a way to enhance the welfare of student athletes while expanding their commercial opportunities and maintaining competitive balance. Under current proposals, the NCAA would allow athletes who had played professionally, signed professional contracts or accepted prize money based on place of finish to compete at the collegiate level, with a loss of one year of eligibility for each year of professionalism.

It is laudable that student athletes may finally have an opportunity to profit directly from their own images and fame in the same manner as universities have been doing for years. However, the balance between commercialism and education would be thrown into turmoil if amateurism is lost, and this would likely result in two unintended outcomes:

Clearly education and commercialism can co-exist in college sports, as they do throughout higher education. Whether they can continue to co-exist if amateurism is no longer part of the balance, though, remains to be seen. Elimination of amateurism as an educational support impinges on the academic pretense necessary to justify intercollegiate sport. The sport of basketball provides a likely scenario if the expectation of amateurism is eliminated.

Each summer, the media cover a group of elite high school basketball athletes and debate publicly the merits of their going straight to the NBA as opposed to enrolling in college. The usual subtext behind many of these discussions is whether the individual will be able to achieve the necessary SAT score that will allow him to be eligible as a freshman.

If amateurism is eliminated, earlier steps to improve academic preparation will be undercut. An athletic scholarship, now a primary motivation that supports good academic choices, will become a backup play for some athletes if the professional ranks don't work out. College sports will become an even greater "farm system" for professional sports' young dropouts.

The academic interest of athletes coming to college with professional backgrounds is likely to be significantly lower than that of their "non-professional" counterparts. College attendance for professional athletes would simply become another high-level athletic opportunity, rather than an educational opportunity that includes a significant athletic component. The number of individuals who consider professional athletics a realistic career opportunity is likely to grow, despite the staggering statistics against becoming a professional athlete.

Finally coaches will be forced to change the way they recruit, scanning the waiver wires and the transaction columns in the newspaper to see which athletes may need collegiate seasoning to have another shot at the professional leagues.

Ironically, the amateurism deliberations occur simultaneously to discussions by the NCAA's Men's Basketball Working Group, whose initial charge was to address academic concerns and "clean up" a summer basketball recruiting scene that is run by sneaker companies and AAU coaches. Athletes leaving early for the NBA, influences from agents, runners and entourages, as well as the taint of gambling are just a few of the problems that threaten an industry that generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Yet, college sports ultimately risks sabotaging its commercial success without the balance provided by expectations of amateurism.

Perhaps the greatest allure of college sports is that it is predicated on the glory of competing for one's alma mater in an environment that is bigger than the individual. The mythology that makes college athletics special -- and ultimately drives the commercial engine -- is that college athletics has purpose beyond 40-yard-dash times, vertical jump measurements, scores and highlights. Intercollegiate athletics has educational purpose and finite limits as to who can contribute to its lore and for how long.

Intercollegiate athletics is commercially successful because it is special, high-quality entertainment. Adding lower-tier professional athletes to the mix makes the commercial product more unseemly and ultimately less appealing. The 1999-2000 NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments would have been less commercially appealing if Michigan State and the University of Connecticut won their championships with individuals who had previously competed for the Detroit Pistons or the New York Liberty.

While it is possible that the short-term interest surrounding college sports may increase with professionals competing, there will be long-term costs. One needs look no further than the declining interest in Olympic men's basketball.

The difference in interest between Dream Team I and the team that recently competed in Australia is stark. The novelty of seeing professionals compete in the Olympics, a setting that depends on the myth of the amateur ideal, has digressed to being another ugly commercialized experience.

Indeed, college athletics risks the same outcome if it decides to homogenize its product with former professionals.

Amateurism, rather than becoming an anachronism, has become increasingly essential to collegiate athletics. By further blurring the lines between college and professional athletes, the NCAA would be sacrificing an essential balancing agent between academics and commercialism.

Clearly college athletics has numerous problems -- but does anyone think for a second that permitting former professional athletes to compete as collegians is a positive step toward solving those problems?

REMINDER: the National Federation rule book requirements for bats used in baseball and softball have undergone changes. The softball change occurred Jan. 1, 2000. The baseball change becomes effective Jan. 1, 2001.

* labeled with ASA approved certification mark

* be listed on ASA web site (www.softball.org)

NOTE: While the rules only govern competition, it may be advisable to remove from your 7-12 grade inventory all bats that do not meet the standards so they are not used in any practices, scrimmages or games.

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More inspiring than the actual play was the exemplary sportsmanship exhibited by the Merrill football players and coaching staff. During the game there was no trash talk from the Vandals. On several occasions after a play, the Merrill team members could be seen helping various Ramblers off the ground and giving them a quick pat on the back. Even before the final play was over Merrill players were extending their hands in congratulations to our players. Another outstanding gesture by Merrill came at the medal presentation ceremony. All Vandal players stood across midfield to acknowledge each McBain player as he received his medal and the District trophy was awarded to the school.

As a parent of a McBain football player and administrator in the McBain district, I only hope when the time arrives, the "Bainers" will take a page from the Merrill sportsmanship book and react with such class. It is with great appreciation and admiration we acknowledge a fine Merrill football team, coaching staff, band, school, and community.

Thank you Merrill and with God's blessing we look forward in meeting you again. Good Sports Are Winners in Merrill!

School administrators, counselors and coaches are reminded to present advanced eligibility opportunities to over-age jr. high/middle school students. MHSAA Regulations prohibit seventh and eighth-grade students who become 15 years of age before Sept. 1 to participate in interscholastic sports competition at their respective grade level. The same is true of 16-year-old ninth-graders in a 10-12 high school system if the birthday occurs before Sept. 1.

The students will be limited to four years of high school eligibility and must maintain the requirement to be passing work in at least four full credit courses.

Two (2) sets of entry materials are required to be submitted by each school in order to enter the 2000-01 Wrestling Tournament. An entry consists of three (3) documents; the bright yellow Entry Form, a current Eligibility Form and the 2000-01 Weight Certification Form. Entry documents are to be sent directly to the Manager of the Individual and Team District Tournament to which a school is assigned. DO NOT SEND TO MHSAA. The revised Season History Form will be presented at the Individual District Weigh-In. Actual weights must be recorded on the Revised Season Summary to comply with the 50% Rule.

Team District winners qualify to the Team Regional and are paired according to the Master Regional Pairings. Regional winners will advance to the Quarterfinal competition at Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek on Friday, March 2, 2001. Quarterfinal pairings were determined by open draw. The Semifinal round in all classes will be contested on March 3, 2001, at the Kellogg Arena, followed in the afternoon by the Championship Final in each division.

Entry materials and tournament information will be sent to schools in January. Remember, all entries are due by 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, 2001. THE MHSAA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERY OR MAIL DELAYS WHICH RESULT IN LATE ENTRIES.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFIERS--INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT WRESTLING TOURNAMENT
1 . Brackets may not exceed 32 competitors. It is necessary that district places be determined by competition. Wrestlers are restricted to 5 matches per day. 2. Teams are limited to 14 wrestlers; no more than two in any weight class. 3. Coaches reminded to enter only "second wrestlers" who are legitimate contenders and have winning records. 4. When two wrestlers from one team are entered in a weight class, the record of the wrestler with the greatest number of varsity matches (all weight classes) will prevail as the No. 1 wrestler. 5. To be eligible, "second wrestlers" must have total winning varsity record (.500 is not a winning record) and have wrestled 12 varsity matches during the season. (B team, reserve team are not varsity competition.) When two are entered in a weight class, both shall have winning records and at least 12 varsity matches. 6. All entrants in the individual tournament shall comply with Rule 1-3-2b. 7. When the number of entrants exceeds 32, the total number of entrants must be reduced to 32, or fewer, competitors.
A. Initially, call for volunteers to withdraw "second wrestlers". B. If the bracket continues to exceed 32, withdraw those "second wrestlers" with the most total varsity losses. The Season Summary Form will be the document of reference for items "B" and "C". C. If necessary, to break tie withdraw those "second wrestlers" with the fewest total varsity wins. D. If necessary, place the names of all "second wrestlers" who remained tied in a container. Withdraw those wrestlers whose names are drawn from the container until the number of contestants is reduced to the allowable 32.
CONDUCTING THE INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT TOURNAMENT