dec99bull

BULLETIN

December/January 1999/2000 Volume LXXVI Number 4

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

East Lansing, Oct. 13, 1999

Members Present:

Robert Grimes, Battle Creek

Dennis Kniola, Stevensville

Tom Rashid, Detroit

Keith Eldred, Williamston

Eunice Moore, Detroit

Staff Members Present:

Jerry Cvengros, East Lansing

Jack Roberts, East Lansing (Recorder)

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 this agenda.)

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 the place of voluntary extracurricular competitive athletics in the academic environment. The Executive Committee was cautioned to avoid making exceptions that could 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 participation.

Consistent with rulings of the Attorney General, 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 apply rules and penalties as promulgated by the MHSAA and adopted by each member school's board of education.

Bellaire, Mancelona and Central Lake High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - The Executive Committee approved the addition of Central Lake High School to the cooperative program in skiing that has existed between Bellaire and Mancelona since 1997. Central Lake has not sponsored the sport, and the combined enrollment of 646 will keep the program in the Class B/C/D MHSAA Tournament.

Dearborn-St. Alphonsus and Detroit-Urban Lutheran High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - Request was made to waive the Oct. 15 application deadline for a cooperative program in boys and girls track and field.

The Executive Committee granted the request to waive the deadline until not later than Nov. 12, 1999.

Holton and Montague High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - Request was made to waive the Oct. 15 application deadline for a spring season cooperative program.

The Executive Committee granted the request to waive the deadline until not later than Nov. 12, 1999.

Wyandotte-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Southgate-Aquinas High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - The Executive Committee approved cooperative programs between these schools in boys and girls track and field, girls soccer and girls softball. Both schools sponsored softball last year and Mt. Carmel will be the primary school. Aquinas sponsored track and soccer and will be the primary school for those programs. The combined enrollment will be 249. The schools already have a coop in football.

Capac High School (Regulation I, Sections 4 & 5) - Request to waive the maximum semesters portion of the eligibility regulation was made on behalf of a student whose transcript showed four semesters with grades and credits at Detroit-Denby, two semesters with grades and credits at Roseville, and two semesters with grades and credits at Capac. Concerns for school violence and family finances were cited.

The Executive Committee noted that the student had the maximum opportunity allowed all students, and denied the request for waiver.

Memphis High School (Regulation I, Sections 4, 5 & 7) - Request to waive several sections of the eligibility regulation was made on behalf of a student who attended Memphis High School in 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98 and at the start of the 1998-99 school year. He left without credit in November. Thus, he is ineligible under the previous semester record regulation and also because he is in his 5th first semester and his 7th and 8th semesters are not consecutive.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Sterling Heights-Utica Stevenson High School (Regulation I, Section 7[A]) - A late request to waive the previous semester record regulation was made on behalf of a student who was expelled from Almont Schools on April 20, 1998, when he was in 8th grade. He did not attend school in 1998-99. Utica Stevenson High School is placing the student in 10th grade.

Citing a lack of information regarding the circumstances and rationale for this student's placement, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Bloomfield Hills-Cranbrook High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a foreign student who will be a boarding student at Cranbrook but for whom an Educational Transfer Form has not been completed because the form has not been returned by the foreign school. The student is an 11th-grader from Poland.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Decatur High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who in both 9th and 10th-grades spent the first semester at Decatur High School and the second semester at Paw Paw High School.

Noting there have now been four school changes and that there has been no indication why the transfers were caused by or necessary for treatment of medical conditions, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Ellsworth High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who resided in the district but attended Charlevoix-Northwest Academy in 1998-99 where he did not participate in interscholastic athletics.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year.

Farmington High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student and 10th-grade student of parents who separated in the summer of 1999. The students attended Farmington High School last school year and attended Ann Arbor-Huron High School Aug. 30 to Sept. 10, 1999, when the sale of their home in Farmington fell through. The purchase agreement for a condominium in Ann Arbor could not be completed and the students returned to Farmington High School.

Noting that the students never lived in Ann Arbor, never participated in sports at Huron High School and attended school there only briefly, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Fenton High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who resides with his uncle in Fenton. The student has relocated several times as his father has been reassigned by the US Armed Services. Most recently the student attended 10th grade in Hawaii. His father was transferred to Honduras in July 1999, and his mother remained in Hawaii where there was concern for the curriculum available and other confidential factors.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Grand Rapids-Forest Hills Northern High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who in 1998-99 attended Forest Hills Central High School as a 9th-grader and did not participate in any sports. However, he did participate in three games this season.

Noting that the student has been withheld from at least as many games as must be forfeited, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Noting that the student's relocation failed to meet the criteria of the exception and that no compelling need for a school change was presented, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Onsted High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student who relocated from the residence of her parents where there was poverty and drug abuse to a residence in Onsted.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver on the basis of the limited information available.

Orchard Lake-St. Mary's Preparatory High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who began 9th grade at St. Mary's. Because of financial issues and transportation difficulties, he transferred to Troy for the second semester of 1998-99. Because that school didn't meet his education needs, he reenrolled at St. Mary's.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Ortonville-Brandon High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility immediately at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who started the school year at Flint-Powers Catholic High School where he participated in four football games.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Plainwell High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who started the school year in Cassopolis while living with his mother and four year old sister whom he needed to care for often. He now resides in Plainwell with his aunt and uncle, with whom he had lived during the summer.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at the sub-varsity level only during the first semester of the current school year pending receipt of information confirming that the student did not participate in any sports at Cassopolis.

Westland-John Glenn High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Garden City-United Christian School as a 9th-grader and did not participate in any high school sports.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Alpena High School (Regulation II, Section 11) - A late request was made to waive the date of the earliest allowed contest for ice hockey in 1999.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Lake Leelanau-St. Mary High School (Regulation III, Section 1[C]) - Request was made to waive the enrollment regulation to permit 6th grade girls to participate in the 7th and 8th-grade program in basketball.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for the 1999-00 school year only.

Marquette-Father Marquette Middle School (Regulation III, Section 1[C]) - Request to waive the enrollment regulation was made to permit 6th graders to participate with 7th-graders in boys basketball and with 7th and 8th-graders in boys and girls track and field during the 1999-00 school year.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for the 1999-00 school year only.

Millington High School (Regulation V, Section 3[C]) - The Nov. 14, 1998, MHSAA Football Playoff game between Chesaning and Millington High Schools was ended by the officials with 1:43 remaining in the game because of a series of personal fouls assessed to Millington, which has submitted a summary report of internal actions which have included public apologies by players, school sanctions against players, development of a school district task force to improve sportsmanship among all constituents, and increased involvement in the Program of Athletic Coaches' Education (PACE). At its January meeting, the Executive Committee requested that the school's administration and head football coach appear at a future meeting to address more specifically the student sanctions that have been imposed, the steps being implemented to improve sportsmanship among athletes, other students, fans and coaches, the district's expanded involvement in PACE, a report of the first task force meeting(s), and, since many comments were received about the inadequacy of the facility as a contributor to problems, what is being done to address those concerns.

The principal and two members of the football coaching staff met with the Executive Committee to discuss each of the designated topics. Recommendations by the Task Force to the Millington Board of Education were reviewed, as were facility concerns. Many other positive ideas were exchanged.

At its Feb. 25, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee determined as follows:

1. The action of the Board of Education with respect to the task force recommendations should be communicated to the MHSAA as soon as it occurs; and

2. Because facility deficiencies were cited by all parties, until there are significant changes that solve existing problems, if Millington should otherwise earn the privilege of hosting an MHSAA Football Playoff game, it will be required that Millington High School arrange an alternative site acceptable to the MHSAA staff.

On Aug. 11, 1999, the executive director faxed to Millington High School a request for follow-up, which was received Aug. 13.

The Executive Committee found the school's response to be inadequate and directed the executive director to receive more from the school in writing about the progress in improving its football facility, the plans to have its personnel participate in PACE, and means being used by the district to communicate and reinforce its Sportsmanship Policy, consistent with Article II, Section 3 of the MHSAA Constitution.

On Sept. 15, 1999, the school's response of Sept. 10, 1999, was reviewed by the Executive Committee, which determined it was still lacking in several respects, which the executive director was to communicate to the school's administration.

On Sept. 20, 1999, the MHSAA associate director conducted a site visit about which he reported to the Executive Committee. Subsequently, the school has agreed to host PACE for its coaches in October 2000 who do not complete the program prior to that time.

The Executive Committee determined that the school district must meet the following conditions as prerequisites to hosting a 1999 MHSAA Football Playoff game at its new facility, should it otherwise qualify to host:

1. The school district must host at least one regular-season game at the field where the following is demonstrated:

a. Fencing is completed around the entire facility.

b. Seating in the stands is divided into sections designated for visitors and sections designated for home fans.

c. Standing room areas are supervised with adequate numbers of faculty members and security officers.

2. The school district must submit in writing the details of these plans prior to the regular season game hosted at the new facility.

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.

Algonac High School (Classification) - Request was made to waive the Aug. 15 deadline for Algonac High School to request to compete in Division 2 of the MHSAA Wrestling Tournaments, as it has the previous three years, rather than in Division 3 where its enrollment now places the school.

Inasmuch as the tournament format had not yet been finalized and the school was asking to remain in the same division as previous years, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Ann Arbor-Pioneer High School - At its April 22, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed the conduct by some of the Pioneer spectator section at the conclusion of the 1999 MHSAA Class A Boys Basketball Final game.

The Executive Committee directed the staff to (1) require a response from the school's administration that, among other information, will identify the administrators, staff and chaperones who were assigned to the contest and their roles during and after the game; and (2) review tournament printed materials for the possibility of adding clearer, stronger and more thorough coverage of schools' responsibilities to supervise their spectators. In addition, the Executive Committee requested that the Representative Council discuss this situation and the possibility of revising Handbook language to deal more effectively with similar situations in the future.

The school's written response was received June 3. Also provided to the Executive Committee were pages 14 and 15 of the Tournament Manager's Manual, pages 4-6 of the Final Round Qualifying Team Manual provided after the Regionals, and two additional pages for qualifying teams' chaperones.

At its June 9, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee requested that the executive director communicate its dissatisfaction with the school's response and require additional follow-up by the school. Ideas were discussed for strengthening the MHSAA's written expectations of participating schools' administration and spectators at MHSAA Basketball Tournaments.

There was no response from the school. Therefore, at its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee directed the executive director to ask the school for its response prior to the Sept. 8 meeting of the Boys Basketball Tournament Committee.

The school's response was received Sept. 7. It required additional follow-up, which was requested by the executive director but not provided by the school by the Executive Committee's Sept. 15 meeting. The Executive Committee asked the executive director to obtain the information previously requested, which was received.

The Executive Committee reviewed and accepted the additional information provided by the school but instructed the executive director to communicate additional expectations of the school.

Inkster High School - At its August 1997 meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed the record of MHSAA Handbook violations by this school and determined that the 1997-98 membership of Inkster High School be held in abeyance until its superintendent, principal and athletic director met at the MHSAA office with the executive director to show cause why the school's membership should not be suspended or its membership privileges not be reduced. At its September 1997 meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed the actions of Inkster High School to eliminate the violations of Handbook policies and procedures that have plagued the school in recent years, accepted the school's membership for 1997-98, and requested the executive director provide at the Executive Committee's June 1998 meeting a review of Inkster High School's compliance record during 1997-98. At that meeting, it was reported that one violation, failure to rate any boys basketball officials during the 1997-98 season, was known to have occurred during the 1997-98 school year. At its June 10, 1998 meeting, the Executive Committee determined to continue the school's probationary status through the 1998-99 school year and requested that the executive director report to the Executive Committee in June 1999 about the school's compliance efforts during that year.

Since the executive director's last report to the Executive Committee, Inkster High School has had two violations: (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.

At its June 9, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee determined that Inkster High School remain on probation through the 1999-00 school year and that the executive director communicate with the school's administration about the two violations and ways to improve its procedures for payments to officials.

During the 1998-99 school year, Inkster had the following violations:

Boys Tennis - failure of head coach to attend rules meeting or pass exam.

Girls Volleyball - failure to rate any officials.

Baseball - failure to rate any officials.

Softball - failure of head coach to attend rules meeting or pass exam; failure to rate any officials.

It was requested that the executive director express the concern of the Executive Committee directly to the superintendent and board president, as well as principal and athletic director of Inkster High School, and that recommendations be prepared for the Representative Council for publicizing chronic offenders and penalizing them in ways that affect financial reimbursements, hosting opportunities, and participation opportunities for students of schools which are chronic offenders of administrative rules.

The only response was a Sept. 16 telephone call from new Athletic Director Ms. Brenda McGuire to inquire what she needed to do.

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.

New School - Pursuant to procedures for MHSAA membership, as established by the Representative Council March 21, 1997, MHSAA membership was approved for Ann Arbor-Central Academy, a public school academy of 45 students in grades 9-12 which will attempt to sponsor boys basketball and girls volleyball in 1999-00. The Academy is joining the MHSAA at both the high school and junior high/middle school levels.

Representative Council - The Executive Committee discussed several items of the draft agenda for the Dec. 1, 1999 Representative Council Meeting; and then examined needs that could be met by the two positions open for Council appointment Dec. 1.

Competitive Cheer - At the first meeting of the ad hoc committee on competitive cheer Oct. 6, 1999, the recommendation was made for a survey of schools to be conducted prior to the ad hoc committee's next meeting Dec. 8, 1999. A draft of the proposed survey was approved by the Executive Committee.

Ramblewood Park - The Executive Committee approved the resolution for sale of Unit 4 of Ramblewood Park Condominium.

Next Meetings - The next meetings of the Executive Committee will be Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing; and Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 8:30 a.m. in Grand Rapids. n

KAREN LEINAAR ELECTED TO REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

The membership of the MHSAA has elected Karen Leinaar, Athletic Director at Gaylord High School, to the Representative Council. In doing so, the former athletic director at Delton Kellogg High School becomes the first woman elected to a statewide position on the Council.

Eunice Moore, a director for the Detroit Public Schools who was elected in 1997 and reelected this year to represent the public schools of the City of Detroit, is the second woman elected to the Representative Council, following Christine Whitehead, who was elected to serve the Detroit Public Schools in 1972 and reelected in 1974.

Leinaar replaces Robert Grimes, who has retired from school business, most recently serving as Principal and then Superintendent at Battle Creek-Pennfield. Grimes served on the Representative Council for 16 years, 1981-85 and 1987-99.

Grimes' retirement makes Keith Eldred, Athletic Director at Williamston Middle School, the most veteran member of the Representative Council. He has served without interruption since 1983.

Dennis Kniola of Stevensville-Lakeshore has served on the Council for 15 years. Paul Ellinger has been on the Representative Council for 14 years while serving the Deerfield, Beal City, Hartford and Cheboygan school districts. Norm Johnson of Bangor has also served on the Council for 14 years.

Serving on the Council for 11 years have been Eric Federico of Trenton and Gibraltar-Carlson (1986-94 and 1996 to present), Thomas Rashid of Detroit, William Newkirk of Clare, Glen Lake and Sanford, and Dan Flynn of Escanaba.

Randy Salisbury of Britton-Macon has served on the Council for seven years (1990-91 and 1993-present).

All other Council members have served three years or fewer.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

East Lansing, Nov. 17, 1999

Members Present:

Robert Grimes, Battle Creek

Dennis Kniola, Stevensville

Tom Rashid, Detroit

Dan Flynn, Escanaba

Randy Salisbury, Britton

Staff Members Present:

Jerry Cvengros, East Lansing

Jack Roberts, East Lansing (Recorder)

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.

Dearborn-St. Alphonsus and Detroit Urban Lutheran High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - The Executive Committee approved cooperative programs in boys and girls track and field which both schools sponsored last year. St. Alphonsus will be the primary school. The combined enrollment will be 312, moving two Class D programs to a single Class C program.

Montague and Holton High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - The Executive Committee approved cooperative programs in boys and girls track and field, which Holton has not offered for many years. Montague will be the primary school. The combined enrollment will be 868, which will place the program in Class B which is where Montague's program would have moved from Class C because of its own increase in enrollment.

Grosse Ile High School (Regulation I, Section 4) - A late request to waive the maximum semesters section of the eligibility regulation, and specifically Interpretation No. 27, was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who participated in a foreign exchange student program in Mexico sponsored by Rotary International Youth Exchange during 1997-98 and who received no grades or credits from Grosse Ile High School.

Noting the specific language of Interpretation No. 27 and its purpose to frustrate "redshirting," and noting also that the principal purpose for foreign exchange programs is for students to be in school, as this student was, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Dexter High School (Regulation I, Sections 4 & 5) - A late request to waive the maximum semesters regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who attended 9th grade at Allen Park, 10th grade at Westland-John Glenn, and repeated 10th grade and completed 11th grade at Dexter High School, where he played hockey last year. A divorce followed by three changes of residence were cited as the reasons for deficient academic performance.

Noting that the student has received grades and credits in the maximum number of semesters allowed all students, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Fennville High School (Regulation I, Sections 4 & 5) - A late request to waive the maximum semesters regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who missed school for medical conditions and failed to pass more than three courses in three of his first four semesters of high school. He is now in his ninth semester in which he has received grades and credits since first enrolling in the 9th grade.

Citing a lack of connection between the medical conditions, school absences and semesters of deficient academic performance, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Sterling Heights-Utica Stevenson High School (Regulation I, Section 7[A]) - At the Oct. 13, 1999 Executive Committee Meeting, a late request to waive the previous semester record regulation was made on behalf of a student who left Almont Schools on April 20, 1998, when he was in 8th grade. He did not attend school in 1998-99. This fall, Utica Stevenson High School, a 10-12 grade school, placed the student in 10th grade. Citing a lack of information regarding the circumstances and rationale for this student's placement, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver. The matter was resubmitted with additional information.

Because there is no previous high school semester for this student, the Executive Committee invoked the principle utilized for incoming 9th-graders who are without a previous high school semester, and granted the request for wavier.

Allegan High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who attended Traverse City West High School until enrolling at Allegan on Nov. 8, 1999. He has moved with his father while his mother remains in Traverse City to sell their house. The student participated in JV soccer at Traverse City West.

Noting that the conditions of Section 9(B) have not been met and that the student had an option for continuing eligibility if he had chosen to stay at the same school and residence, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Brethren High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who entered Brethren as a 7th-grader in 1995, living with his mother and stepfather who reenlisted in the US Army in September of 1998. After basic training, the student's stepfather was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington; and in April of 1999, the student and his mother relocated to University Place, Washington where the student enrolled at Curtis High School. In July of 1999, the student returned to his biological father in Spring Lake, Michigan. In August, the student moved with his father and stepmother to Hawaii; and after three weeks, his stepmother returned to Michigan. A week later, the student and his father returned to Spring Lake. On Oct. 29, 1999, the student returned to Brethren and is living with his maternal grandparents. He did not participate in athletics in Washington, Hawaii or Spring Lake.

Noting that the student has returned to the original, more stable residence and original school and did not participate in interscholastic athletics during the brief period of several relocations, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Detroit-St. Martin De Porres High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who transferred to De Porres in September of 1999, having previously attended Detroit-Kettering. On Sept. 22, while in his home, the student was the object of a handgun attack by a stranger. He relocated to his aunt and uncle's home and transferred to De Porres Sept. 27.

The Executive Committee tabled this item pending receipt of additional information.

Eaton Rapids High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who, as an 8th-grader at Eaton Rapids Middle School, was expelled in October 1998 for 180 school days. He began the 1999-00 school year at Capital City Baptist where he played on the soccer team, contrary to the conditions of exception 14.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Fraser High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - A late request was made to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year for a 9th-grade student who previously attended Warren-De La Salle Collegiate High School where he did not participate in interscholastic athletics. He enrolled at Fraser Oct. 27. He agreed to withdraw from De La Salle amidst an inquiry involving a locker room theft.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Grand Haven High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year for a 9th-grade student who lives in Fruitport and began the school year at Muskegon Catholic Central High School where he participated in athletics before transferring to Grand Haven High School on Sept. 21, 1999.

Noting that the conditions of Section 9(B) have not been met, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Grand Rapids-Kenowa Hills High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who started the 1999-00 school year at Grand Rapids-West Catholic High School and transferred at the end of its first marking period to Kenowa Hills High School on Nov. 1. She did not participate in sports at West Catholic.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Lansing-New Covenant Christian High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who in 1998-99 attended Lansing Christian High School where he tried out for and practiced with the golf team. His score never was included in his team's total of best five scores in a meet. He sought to play soccer at New Covenant Christian. At its Sept. 15, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver, noting that the specific conditions of Section 9(B) include that the student has not participated in high school in any sport for which the MHSAA conducts a post-season tournament, whether or not that student actually participated in that tournament. The matter was resubmitted with additional information as a request to permit eligibility immediately at any level.

Because New Covenant Christian is 15 miles closer to the student's residence than the previous school's relocation, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Merrill High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student who became 18 years old on Nov. 22, 1998. When he relocated from the residence of one uncle to the residence of another uncle, who both live within the district of Merrill Community Schools, he transferred from Community Baptist to Merrill High School. Noting that the student's relocation failed to meet the criteria of the exception and that no compelling need for a school change was presented, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver at its Oct. 13, 1999 meeting. The matter was resubmitted with a letter from the student.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Midland-Bullock Creek High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Requests to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year were made on behalf of two 10th-grade students who attended Sanford-Meridian High School as 9th-graders in 1998-99 where they did not participate in any interscholastic athletics.

The Executive Committee granted the requests for waiver.

Midland-H. H. Dow High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who attended Midland High School for 3Þ days at the start of this school year until her application to attend Dow High School, made in June, was accepted. She enrolled at Dow High School Aug. 30. She participated in no tryouts or practices at Midland High School.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Midland-H. H. Dow High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who moved from the Bullock Creek school district with her mother, who is separating from the student's father. The student did not participate in interscholastic sports at Bullock Creek. She enrolled Nov. 2, 1999 at Dow High School.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Muskegon Catholic Central High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student of a Catholic family who moved from out of state to Fruitport in 1998 and attended Fruitport High School as a 9th-grader in 1998-99 and played three sports. At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver. The matter was resubmitted with additional materials.

Finding no compelling reason for the transfer, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Remus-Chippewa Hills High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who relocated from her parents in Eaton Rapids to the residence of her aunt in Remus and enrolled at Chippewa Hills High School to become removed from unfavorable peer influences.

Finding no compelling reason for the transfer, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Swartz Creek High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a foreign exchange student from Germany through Youth for Understanding. The student was placed with a host family in Flushing but attends Swartz Creek because the host father is a teacher and girls basketball coach at Swartz Creek and his host brother is a senior at Swartz Creek.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Taylor-Baptist Park 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 an 11th-grader who enrolled at Baptist Park School in October. The student had attended Baptist Park until 7th grade, transferring to Plymouth Schools when her parents relocated to Canton. She has remained active in the church affiliated with Baptist Park School.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Westland-John Glenn High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who attended Buffalo (NY) Traditional School in 1998-99 while living with his mother and stepfather. Conflict with his stepfather has caused the student to relocate to his cousins' home in the John Glenn attendance area of the Wayne-Westland School District.

Noting that an allegation of domestic conflicts is not a compelling reason for a school transfer, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Westland-Lutheran High School Westland (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled at Lutheran High School Westland on Sept. 27, 1999, having previously attended North Farmington High School where she did not participate in interscholastic athletics.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

White Lake-Lakeland High School (Regulation I, Section 9[D]) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility after 90 school days of enrollment for a 10th-grade student who enrolled at Lakeland High School on Oct. 7, 1999. The student had been a 9th-grader at Lakeland in 1998-99 until she relocated to her father's residence and enrolled Feb. 1, 1999 at Lapeer West High School where she was a member of the soccer team but no Educational Transfer Form had been completed.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver and requested additional follow-up with Lapeer West High School.

White Lake-Lakeland High School (Regulation I, Section 9[D]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility after 90 school days of enrollment at Lakeland High School was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who lives in the Lakeland High School district and who attended Bloomfield Hills-Marian High School as a 9th-grader in 1998-99. She enrolled Oct. 8, 1999 at Lakeland.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Ypsilanti High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who attended Ypsilanti West Middle School in 1998-99, enrolled this fall at Ann Arbor-Pioneer High School where he did not participate in athletics, and enrolled after two months at Ypsilanti High School.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Bloomfield Hills-Andover High School (Regulation II, Sections 6 & 11) - Request was made to waive regulations which limit the length of the season, the number of contests and the length of travel so that the boys soccer team could participate in Cuba Dec. 4-11, 1999. The athletic director, coach and a parent presented information and rationale.

Noting that the trip would be in conflict with several limitations which member schools have agreed to control the scope of athletics within an educational setting, and that affording a waiver in this case would be inconsistent with actions taken in response to requests for more modest modifications and would make it difficult to deny waiver in the future when requests are made to waive one or more of the limitations at issue in this case, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Hillsdale Academy (Regulation III, Section 1[C]) - Request was made to allow 6th graders to participate with and against 7th and 8th-graders in boys basketball. The high school enrollment is 29.

The Executive Committee granted the request for the 1999-00 school year only.

Okemos-Chippewa and Kinawa Middle Schools (Regulation III, Section 1[D]) - The Executive Committee approved cooperative programs in wrestling, cross country and track and field for boys and girls, which have operated combined teams for several seasons. Chippewa is the primary school for cross country and track and field. Kinawa is the primary school for wrestling.

Dryden High School (Regulation V, Section 3[C]) - An Oct 1, 1999 varsity football game at Armada High School was ended by officials with 6:05 remaining in the third quarter because of sportsmanship problems the officials attributed to Dryden High School, whose principal submitted a written report of the school's follow-up, which included meetings with ejected players, meetings with coaches and sportsmanship drills for the team.

The Executive Committee accepted the school's follow-up except with respect to coaches, requesting that more information be provided by the school.

Flint-Beecher High School (Regulation V, Section 3) - 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.

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 Beecher's new principal. This brought renewal of threats by officials to refuse to take games involving Beecher High School in at least some sports.

Staff is attempting to arrange a meeting with the board president and school administration and hopes to provide a report at the Executive Committee's next meeting.

Since that report to the Executive Committee, Inkster High School had two violations: (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.

During the 1998-99 school year, Inkster had the following violations:

Boys Tennis - failure of head coach to attend rules meeting or pass exam.

Girls Volleyball - failure to rate any officials.

Baseball - failure to rate any officials.

Softball - failure of head coach to attend rules meeting or pass exam; failure to rate any officials.

At the Aug. 18, 1999, meeting of the Executive Committee, it was requested that the executive director express the concern of the Executive Committee directly to the superintendent and board president, as well as principal and athletic director of Inkster High School, and that recommendations be prepared for the Representative Council for publicizing chronic offenders and penalizing them in ways that affect financial reimbursements, hosting opportunities, and participation opportunities for students of schools which are chronic offenders of administrative rules. The only response was a September 16 telephone call from new Athletic Director Ms. Brenda McGuire to inquire what she needed to do. 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, Ms. McGuire has resigned as athletic director.

A meeting at the MHSAA office to provide assurance of adequate oversight of its program is scheduled for Nov. 23, 1999 with members of Inkster's administration and Board of Education; and the Executive Committee will receive a report at its next meeting.

New Schools - Pursuant to procedures for MHSAA membership as established by the Representative Council March 21, 1997, MHSAA membership was approved for:

a. Big Rapids-Crossroads Charter Academy, a public school academy with 29 students in the 9th grade of a K-9 school which will attempt to add another grade level in each of the next three years. The school intends to sponsor basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track and field for boys and basketball, cross country, golf, volleyball, and track and field for girls but will not enter MHSAA tournaments in 1999-00. Membership will be at both the high school and junior high/middle school levels.

b. Grand Rapids-Academy of Health and Science, a public school academy with 42 students in grades 9 and 10 which will attempt to sponsor boys teams in cross country, basketball and soccer and girls teams in basketball, volleyball and soccer but is unlikely to enter MHSAA tournaments in 1999-00. Membership will be at both the high school and junior high/middle school levels.

c. Holland-Black River Public School, a public school academy with 190 students in grades 9-12 which will attempt to sponsor soccer, basketball, baseball, cross country, track and field, and tennis for boys and basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, track and field, cross country and tennis for girls. Membership will be at both the high school and junior high/middle school levels, although it will be reiterated to the school that 6th graders may not participate with or against 7th and 8th-graders.

Next Meeting - The next meeting of the Executive Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999, at 8:30 a.m. in Grand Rapids. n

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

HOW WE CHOOSE WHAT WE DO

It is not infrequent that suggestions are made that the Michigan High School Athletic Association do something it is not doing, the something being a project that conforms to the special interest of the one making the suggestion. That person will usually be incredulous when we respond that the topic of the project is beyond the authority of the MHSAA or beyond the capacity of the MHSAA's resources. The criticism is at least implied that if the MHSAA really cared about kids, it would do this thing that is important to the critic.

How does the MHSAA decide what it will do?

That an initiative would be good for kids is the over-arching concern, but that leaves us with a lot more possibilities than can be attempted much less accomplished with any degree of satisfaction and success by any organization, much less one operating with a staff and budget that is smaller than 99 percent of its member schools.

Therefore, the MHSAA must reduce the field of worthwhile projects. The first criterion is to determine if the subject matter is a school district-wide concern or is sport-specific. If the former &SHY; like sexual harassment sensitivity training &SHY; then it is school districts' responsibility to provide the service for all their faculty, including athletic personnel. If the subject matter is sport-specific &SHY; like weight control in wrestling &SHY; then the MHSAA should consider the possibility that it is the organization uniquely positioned to assist by providing leadership and support services to its membership in this narrow area of athletic-related concern.

The second criterion is to determine if there are any other agencies, institutions or organizations better positioned or more capable to provide the service. For example, the American Red Cross is already in place with programs and personnel to provide first aid, CPR and sports safety training to athletic personnel throughout Michigan. So even though it is sports-related, it would create wasteful duplication for the MHSAA to start doing what the American Red Cross is fully capable of, prepared to do and already doing.

The third criterion for determining what the MHSAA will do is to ascertain what its member schools want the association to help with. Schools have asked for assistance in establishing a minimum rule for the eligibility of transfer students - so the MHSAA has promulgated such a standard. But school districts have not asked for assistance in establishing rules regarding tobacco and alcohol use &SHY; so no MHSAA minimum standard exists.

The MHSAA provides services in the sports sub-set of issues with which schools must deal, and only after the MHSAA membership identifies the need and the MHSAA leadership prioritizes all of the identified needs and provides the resources necessary to address the needs of highest priority. The result is that the MHSAA registers officials and trains the trainers of local officials associations; provides basic training in sport-specific subject matter in its Program of Athletic Education (PACE); conducts sports rules meetings for both officials and coaches; conducts Athletic Director In-Service programs on athletic policies and procedures; provides publications and programs in sportsmanship; and conducts postseason tournaments in the sports most commonly sponsored by member schools.

The MHSAA will choose what else to do by the three criteria presented here. The MHSAA is an organization that cares about young people but recognizes its limitations, both legal and practical. The MHSAA has neither the legal authority nor the resources to be involved in protecting young people at all times and in all places. In the area of sports, within the limits of the season and the boundaries of the field of play, the MHSAA has a role of helping to provide an athletic program that is sportsmanlike, healthy and consistent with the educational mission of schools. n

SPORTSMANSHIP

SPORTSMANSHIP TAKES A BACK SEAT IN U.S. VICTORIES

Recent back-to-back "World Championships" &SHY; first in a Women's World Cup soccer championship game shootout, then in an unprecedented come-from-behind Ryder Cup golf victory &SHY; should have all red-blooded sports enthusiasts reveling in red, white and blue joy.

But to some, the victories don't feel as good as they should. They were not our best shining moments in terms of sportsmanship.

During the dramatic conclusion to the World Cup, the US goalkeeper violated the rule that limits the goalkeeper to moving laterally, not forward, until the ball is kicked. The US goalkeeper took two strides forward before the Chinese player kicked the ball. No call.

And worse, no apology. Even worse, it turns out the action was intentional, even rehearsed on the first penalty kick. The goalkeeper's response to the Los Angeles Times, "It is only cheating if you get caught."

Los Angeles Times sports editor Bill Dwyre, in Referee Magazine's October 1999 issue, has written: "It was especially interesting how, in our rush to embrace the US Team and the slam-dunk, politically correct media opportunity, there was (and has been) no discussion whatsoever as to the significance of putting all our sports morals and ethics squarely in the laps of referees."

To make matters worse, another World Cup team member used blatant profanity in a post-match TV interview. Writing in the NCAA News, University of Georgia athletic director Vince Dooley stated, "It is a shame that the greatest moment in the history of US women's team sports has, in my opinion, been dampened by the actions of one athlete."

And then there was this Ryder Cup match where spectators turned one of the few remaining sports with any civility into a partisan debacle where nasty words and gestures were directed at players and the families of players.

And in keeping with the disgusting display of sportsmanship by spectators, the nearly victorious US Team stormed around and onto a putting green where a European waited to attempt a putt that could have reversed US fortunes.

Many in the media have noted that outrage from Europe &SHY; where violence, destruction and death have often occurred at sporting events &SHY; is disingenuous. But that dodges the issue: our behavior was terrible &SHY; by some spectators throughout the three-day event and by our spectacular players at its conclusion.

It is a difficult chore we face in school sports to expect that players, coaches and spectators at our events will participate and observe with respect and decorum when they see the best of our athletes present the worst of our sportsmanship and so few people are outraged about it.

It is another hurdle for us to overcome in educational athletics. n

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

BEING A GOOD SPORT

by John Alan Cohan

Reprinted from Wrestling USA

Sports, an age-old, respectable pursuit &SHY; has emerged in the media and in education as a front runner, a model of what it takes to build character. In any sport, "being a good sport" means acting in a way that meets certain high ethical standards.

Sports require you to develop an amazing array of character traits. As an athlete you have to become sensitive to something beyond the stated rules of the sport &SHY; you have to learn the unwritten rules of what athletes expect from one another. Briefly told, it's what we call the ethics of good sportsmanship, or of "being a good sport." For instance, in any athletic training or competition you'll learn things such as patience, courage, self-discipline, coordination, controlling emotions, being attentive in the face of tense or tedious moments &SHY; and these are all the stuff that goes into being a good sport. In addition, as we all know, playing in your favorite sport is one of life's great pleasures. And it's a source of valuable self-esteem, particularly when you work hard to develop athletic prowess.

Sports is a testing ground for many traits that go into being a good person. Here are the traits that make up being a good sport.

1. First, you have to develop basic skills of the game.

The physical demands in every sport involve a delicate coordination of mind and body There are different yardsticks in every sport for speed, strength, endurance, coordination, stamina, and even style. The physical prowess involved in golf is different than that required for hockey. As an athlete, you want to excel in whatever the game demands. You're committed to using your skills for one purpose &SHY; for the sake of winning. In addition to the physical demands, you'll learn to be daring, to hope, to develop quickness of mind, and the ability to size up your opponent. These are all traits we can use throughout life.

2. Next, you have to practice, and that means discipline.

You have to get into a practice mode when you get into a sport. Sports have to be practiced just as the piano has to be practiced. Practice means repetition. Practicing of technique often can be fun, but in any case it's crucial to success. The idea behind practice is that eventually the skill you are aiming at comes under hand. Once you achieve a skill it becomes like a habit, second nature, and the difficulty disappears. When practicing, each of us has a different challenge, whether it's working on your endurance, your coordination, your speed, or your concentration--and it's great when you start to master each part.

3. Playing by the rules (not cheating) goes without saying.

It's much more fun to win than to lose, and people are sometimes tempted to bend the rules in order to win. That's why sports have judges or referees. It's a fact of life that there are winners and losers. Losing is an inevitable part of living. Playing by the rules means that someone will lose the game, or someone will bungle a particular move &SHY; and being the loser is humbling. But it's also good because it helps strengthen character. And playing by the rules means that the winner wins with honor, and that it was a good game. By "good game" I mean that the players were equally matched, it was competitively challenging, it was fairly played, and the best players won.

4. At the bottom, being a good sport requires courage.

The hallmark of a good sport is someone with courage. Courage comes into play, for instance, by displaying more of nobility and less of shame if you are defeated. It takes courage to be humble and proud in defeat. But by doing so you pre-serve your self-respect and show that you know that winning is important, but it's not all-important. Being a good sport means recognizing that character is more important than who won. Courage also comes into play in how you handle getting hurt. Few activities help build courage the way sports do.

5. Dealing with emotions &SHY; such as anger.

It's a skill to be able to control your emotions in difficult circumstances. Anger is the most common emotion that can get you into trouble in any sport. Few activities help build the proper control of our passions the way sports do.

6. Winning gives a boost to your self-esteem, which is valuable and pleasurable.

Winning heightens your personal confidence, and the oomph you get from win-fling does great things to promote a healthy self-esteem. When you win, you are an object of admiration and esteem from others. Winning also means that you have achieved a certain excellence in your skill.

You might have further ideas of your own, which could be added to expand this list. The interesting thing about sports is that it's hard to fathom any other area of life which can boast of so many character-building features!

Remember that playing in sports isn't work except, of course, for those who make money doing it. It's supposed to invigorate you and give you a break from the hum-drum of the everyday.

However, some people are too intense in their competition, and that isn't fun for them or their partners.

You may have a variety of reasons for playing your sport. For some, it's a simple therapy, a healthful exercise, and for others it's an outlet for aggression. For everyone, though, it's a vehicle for character building and a source of occasional personal triumphs. Regardless of motive, each participant in the sport will gain in excellence in one way or another. That's why the modern Olympics founder, Baron de Coubertin, said this about the Olympic Games:

"The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part; as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." n

About the Author: John Alan Cohan is a lawyer and author of an upcoming book about morals and ethics, 20 Questions And Answers About A Good Life. The above freelance article is adapted from a chapter in that book.

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

HIGH SCHOOL EXPOSURE OUT OF CONTROL

I went to one of those mega bookstores the other day to find a couple of preseason football magazines and right there in the middle of all those college and NFL forecasts was a magazine touting the upcoming high school football season. I nearly fainted. Increasingly, publications are picking preseason All-American high school teams. More high school games are being televised. ESPN and ABC cover the Little League sectionals and World Series a little too well for my taste.

Not long ago, Fox Sports Net declared its intention to begin a national top-50 ranking this fall and then stage and broadcast a national championship game by December 2000.

The world does not need a made-for-TV national high school football championship. It's a bad idea that has absolutely no redeeming value. Don't get me wrong, I love high school sports; I played varsity baseball and tennis. It can't be overstated how valuable those experiences were. When it appeared last winter that there wouldn't be a high school championship basketball game in the District, I got fairly indignant in this space. But that's about participation even more than competition.

But what's happening now, with newsletters, magazines and a national newspaper, USA Today, covering high school football with preseason rankings and all-star teams and a major network talking about staging a championship game, is not about boys and girls competing. Publications and telecasts are about adults. And any time you get adults too involved in kids' games, there's going to be big trouble, particularly when it involves money.

An increase in participation is welcome. An increase in exposure is frightening.

A long time ago, I started wishing every high school football team in America could go 3-7, or every high school basketball team 12-18. that would stop parents from acting like fools in the stands and at home, and perhaps prevent them from calling the newspaper every week to insist their kid is the next Michael Jordan. It would almost certainly slow the parade of groupies, AAU coaches, leeches posing as relatives, and other hangers-on who manage to charm their way into the lives of the all-state quarterback/shooting guard/midfielder/pitcher. And it would tell more and more kids, "You're not really that good, or your team wouldn't be 3-7. You're not invincible, you're not the next John Elway. Now go do your math homework."

Yesterday, I talked to Fritz McGinness, the associate director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, and the concern in his voice was unmistakable. McGinness' organization is against Fox Sports Net's proposed high school football playoff. He has devoted his professional life to the administration, of high school sports, yet when asked about the deifying of high school jocks and sports, he said, "I don't know where it's headed." I could envision him shaking his head from side to side. "Our No. 1 concern is the infringement on academic time. And okay, even if we say it would be fun to have a national tournament, how feasible is it? Quite frankly, any rankings at the high school level would be geared toward particular areas and teams who've had a certain level of success in the past. Also, how could you confine something like this to one sport? How could you say no to boys and girls basketball, or girls volleyball, for example? It becomes an insurmountable issue at the high school level."

Even if it could be done, it shouldn't be done. Anything that tends to make gods of these teenagers is something that should be avoided at all costs. If you're the MVP of a nationally televised football playoff game at 15, where's the incentive to spend a little extra time on that English Lit paper? You'd have some little brute grabbing a FOX microphone to announce, "I'm going to Disney World" before challenging Brett Favre for the starting job in Green Bay.

Where does it go from there? "We're looking live at the Middle School Championship best-of-five series, and down on the sideline standing with 12-year-old John Dough is our sideline reporter."

I don't have to ask "When is enough?" because I know we passed that point a long time ago. I used to be relatively upset at my parents&SHY;both of whom worked full-time jobs&SHY;because they rarely attended any of my baseball games or tennis matches in hindsight, I'm glad. Never once, as obsessed as I was with sports, did I think my baseball game was the most important thing going on in my household. Would there have been that perspective if cameras and a blazer-wearing anchor had been showing up for the games?

Inflated sense of self leads all too often to a sense of entitlement, and high school jocks can feel pretty self-important anyway, without the help of network TV and sycophants who feel the need to know factoids about some 15-year-old left tackle from Deadwood, Texas. This knowledge gets you what, exactly? You mean getting your name (and perhaps picture) in the local newspaper, and playing in the district playoffs, aren't enough anymore?

It all comes back to adults trying to make a buck, and the misguided emphasis on competition over participation. McGinness, who said he worries that the pressure an high school kids to compete is "climbing" said, "When you talk about national rankings and a tournament for high school kids, you risk defeating the purpose of what high school programs are supposed to be all about." n

FOX Sports Net Plans High School Bowl Game

FOX Sports Net (FSN) announced in late October that it was dropping for now its controversial plans to conduct a national high school championship football game in late December, 2000. However, on Nov. 15, FSN issued a release that an invitational high school football bowl game was being proposed as "a redesigned version of ... a national high school football championship game."

If all that is changed is the name of the event, member schools of most state high school associations will not play because of limitations on travel distance, numbers of games and length of season. Said Michigan High School Athletic Association Executive Director John E. Roberts, "An invitational bowl game that exceeds these limitations and interferes with winter sports seasons will not be welcomed most places and will do little to promote high school sports generally or football particularly in this state or elsewhere."

Roberts acknowledged that FSN's Detroit affiliate has been a good partner with the MHSAA, producing live telecasts of football and boys and girls basketball since 1998. "FOX Sports Net Detroit understands that the heart and soul of interscholastic athletics is local, culminating at the state championship level," said Roberts. "Everything else is superfluous at best, and perhaps even harmful."

REVIEWING THE REGULATIONS

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY, MAINTAINING STANDARDS

Those who work in educational athletics believe school sports are good for young people. Thus, they encourage participation by as many youths as possible.

They also believe school sports are beneficial to schools because they require students to meet certain standards of eligibility and of conduct and thus, demand oversight by the sponsoring school.

Indeed, much of the value of school sports derives from the requirements of the program set forth by the school. Undoubtedly, there would be less value to educational athletics - and fewer benefits to all -- without such standards for participation.

Today, however, the educational athletics community is faced with a riddle: How to extend school sports opportunities to more young people, while simultaneously retaining the critically important policies and procedures for such programs?

Scores of school administrators, coaches and board of education members, as well as the parents they serve, sent a message to the Michigan Legislature last spring that:

* School sports are for the students of the schools that sponsor the team.

* Eligibility is earned by students meeting the standards prescribed by the school &SHY; not by parents paying taxes.

* Sponsoring schools have the right &SHY; moreover, the responsibility &SHY; to assure every student in its sports program is enrolled in an appropriate curriculum, making progress toward graduation and satisfying the standards of conduct for the sport and citizenship in the school.

As a result of this clear, forceful message, those portions of the Executive Budget Bill that would have emasculated the essential principles of school sports were stricken by the House Appropriations Committee and kept out by the state Senate. Similarly, House Bill 4204 &SHY; which includes provisions harmful to the integrity of educational athletics &SHY; remains in the House Education Committee. State lawmakers have shown wisdom and foresight in taking more time to consider these measures.

Another result of last spring's debate was that the MHSAA Representative Council last May gave itself a two-part challenge. First, it is to promote greater awareness and use of options that currently exist for interscholastic athletic participation by students who are less than full-time students of a school sponsoring an athletic program. Second, it is to explore additional options for MHSAA members to extend sporting opportunities to such students.

The MHSAA employed an unprecedented process to meet this challenge. In August, the MHSAA Executive Committee appointed three separate task forces that conducted regional meetings open to the public. The three task forces subsequently submitted independent reports to the MHSAA executive director, who in turn presented the major themes of the reports at seven Update Meetings throughout Michigan this fall and to the Representative Council on Dec. 1.

The common themes of the task forces' reports included:

* Agreement that the MHSAA does not need to do anything more to create, prescribe and promote additional opportunities for those students.

* Belief that the MHSAA can do more to alert its member schools (and perhaps others) to the many diverse options already available to such students.

* Affirmation that traditional schools &SHY; both public and private institutions with comprehensive curricular and extracurricular activities &SHY; will make their sporting options more available to youths in their community as charter schools, small private schools and home schools become more comprehensive in how they record and report the attendance, academic performance and citizenship of their students.

That is the bottom line of the task forces' work and may be the bottom line for this complex issue. To be sure, the MHSAA has proven it has flexible policies for non-traditional students and schools. Now, it seems, is the time for such institutions to demonstrate accountability in their educational processes so that traditional schools can confidently enter into cooperative agreements and shared-time arrangements with them for the benefit of their students.

It's also imperative that school administrators familiarize themselves with existing options for non-traditional students who want to play on traditional school-sponsored sports teams.

For example, traditional schools must be specific in advance about what they need from home school operators as verification of their operations, including that they employed a compatible curriculum, initiated comprehensive testing, and assigned their students grades that were earned.

Granted, some home school operators report some of this information to the State Department of Education. But they are not required to supply any information to the traditional schools where they want their children to play sports. It is essential, however, that they meet this seemingly perfunctory obligation.

Just as Michael Ferris, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association, has been quoted saying, "Just one message to Washington policy-makers: Leave us alone.", we ask well-intended state legislators to let educational athletic professionals determine school sports policy.

If parents wish to educate their children at home, let them do it. Likewise, if traditional schools desire to limit participation in their extracurricular activities to students enrolled in their halls of learning, they, too, should have that right.

That's especially true, considering that traditional schools are not limiting sports participation on the basis of a label, but rather on the basis of standards of eligibility applied to all students, regardless of their educational setting.

Simply put, it's time for all involved in this prickly topic to play fair. 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 MIAAA

THE MIAAA AND THE MHSAA: AN EXEMPLARY PARTNERSHIP

by Dave Price, CAA, Rockford High School, Chair, MIAAA Exemplary Athletic Program Committee

Through a joint initiative during the 1999-2000 school year, the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) will be presenting to the state!s high school athletic programs our MIAAA/MHSAA Exemplary Athletic Program Awards. Applying for the program's recognition is done on a strictly voluntary basis by those schools wishing to go through the assessment and application process and the on site visit.

The exemplary award program's purposes shall be fourfold:

1. To identify and give public recognition to Michigan's outstanding athletic programs.

2. To provide a framework that encourages high school athletic administrators throughout the state to voluntarily engage in a self-assessment and comparison of their current program to a set of established exemplary criteria.

Our criteria; developed through surveys and input at both the state and national level; are listed below. This list, of course, is not an all inclusive one and will be subject to change.

Exemplary athletic programs will have in place, exhibit or demonstrate the following:

a.Written/Printed Student-athlete handbook

b. Written/Printed Coaches handbook

C. Sportsmanship policy (league & school) and rating system

d. Accurate records of student participation rates (45 % or above)

e. Seasonal parent meetings

f. Booster club

1 . Written guidelines and/or constitution

2. Board adopted fund raising procedures

g. Technology support

h. Staff evaluation process

i. Procedure for and inclusion of warning forms

j. Athletic administrator - CAA

k. Community service program

l. Coaches mentoring program

m. Process for community involvement

n. Policies on:

1. Gender Equity-Title IX compliance

2. Hiring and retention

3. Harassment and Hazing

4. Risk management

5. Student Insurance

6. Addition of new programs or levels of existing programs

o. Written and board adopted mission statement

p. Procedures for professional development of staff

q. Involvement in development of youth programs

r. Indicators of student-athlete academic achievement

s. Athletic administrator service to:

1 . State association

2. National association

t. Coaching staff demographics:

1. Certified (ACEP or PACE)

2. CPR, First Aid

3. Non-staff vs. staff

4. Members of coaches associations

u. Facilities and game management checklists

3. To facilitate communication and a sharing of best practices throughout our state; and

4. To encourage continued improvement in our state's high school athletic programs.

The MIAAA/MHSAA Exemplary Athletic Program model is truly a grass roots model; developed by practicing athletic administrators to give recognition to our deserving athletic programs on a statewide basis.

WAAA exemplary programs model excellence and equity. They an provide for what is best in educationally sound high school athletics. There is a strong, district-wide commitment to athletic excellence for all of the school's student-athletes. The athletic program's success in advancing the emotional, social, moral and physical growth of all of its participants is a basic foundation of the recognition criteria. In awarding exemplary status to our state!s athletic programs, the MIAAA/MHSAA looks to recognize schools where sustained successes in teaching the values of high school athletics are evident.

Along with the comparison to the established criteria; the quality of each program will also be judged by comparing the standards of excellence to the school's goals (vision statement) and the processes that have been put into place to meet those goals. To what extent is the athletic program serving its various constituents (athletes, staff, parents and patrons)? An exemplary school's athletic program continually strives to meet and exceed the needs of all student-athletes.

Exemplary athletic programs offer growth opportunities for athletes that meet or exceed the highest standards of the MIAAA, MHSAA, leagues or conferences and, in some cases, their own local school boards.

The beginnings of the exemplary award program began in 1996; when a group of athletic administrators first approached the MIAAA board of directors with the exemplary program concept. The MIAAA board and officers were both in favor of establishing an advisory committee; which laid much of the foundation for our present MIAAA/MHSAA Exemplary Athletic Program assessment document.

Reports were made by this blue ribbon committee to the membership in the summer of 1997 and 1998 and also at the annual winter conference in 1998 and 1999. The MIAAA board of directors gave it's wholehearted support to the concept of recognizing and awarding our outstanding programs on a statewide basis by adopting the exemplary program model at it's 1999 spring meeting.

With that charge, a proposal was brought forth by the MIAAA Exemplary Athletic Program advisory committee to the MIAAA board in the summer of 1999 to pilot such a program during the 1999-2000 school year.

With the very generous support of the MHSAA, the MIAAA will be able to begin disseminating program brochures to our state's high schools in the fall of 1999. At the present time, we have over twenty-eight schools who have been sent the assessment and application document.

The MIAAA Exemplary Program advisory committee realizes that the process can be an involved and time consuming one but we also feel that it can be a most rewarding one. We do encourage those of you who feel your program could benefit from this process to please request materials.

We would also like to recognize the original members of the MIAAA Exemplary Program ad hoc committee (without their efforts this program would certainly not have been possible):

Melanie Miller, Lansing Sexton; Tim Dode, Holly; Jim Feldkamp, Troy; Terry Evanish, Gladwin; Karen Leinaar, Gaylord; Scott Kemple, Kalamazoo Central; John Shepich, Hart; Jim Schaffer, Kent City; Dave Price, Rockford and Chuck Nurek, Avondale.n

HEALTH & SAFETY

HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

by D.D. Conkwright Jr., MD, Virginia Beach, Va., Reprinted from Wrestling USA

Heat related illnesses span the spectrum from minor heat illness to heat stroke; which is a medical emergency that results from the complete loss of thermoregulatory control Heat stroke is ranked third behind head and neck trauma and cardiac disorders as a cause of death in U.S. high school athletes and may actually contribute to some of the cardiac deaths by producing irregular heart beats. Heat production results from absorption of heat from sources external to the body (sunshine and environmental temperature) and from internal heat producing processes (muscle movement). The body's thermoregulatory system is responsible for allowing the body to heat and cool itself as necessary. This system can be overwhelmed during periods of heat stress if the sum of the environmental heat load and the metabolic heat production exceeds the body's capacity for heat dissipation or that capacity is somehow impaired. A variety of medical conditions, medications, or drugs of abuse can profoundly affect an individuals risk for heat related illness.

Physiologic response to heat stress

The body is able to dissipate heat through convection, evaporation, and radiation. At ambient temperature, most heat is lost as radiation to the external environment, however this method is ineffective if the ambient temperature is increased to above body temperature (97.5 to 99.5 degree F). The body also dissipates heat by

convection, which is the transfer of heat to moving air, but this process too is impaired if the ambient temperature is above body temperature. In this circumstance, the body is only able to dissipate heat through sweating. However if the relative humidity of the environment is over 75%, the rate of evaporation decreases drastically and, sweating becomes an ineffective way to dissipate heat. Thus on severely hot and humid days the body's means to dissipate excess heat are greatly impaired, making individuals more susceptible to heat related illness.

Specific Heat Related Illnesses

In minor heat illness the body's thermoregulatory processes remain intact and supportive care and cooling are usually the only treatment needed.

Heat cramps are painful muscle contractions, usually of the thighs, calf's, and shoulders that follow exertion of skeletal muscles. They are associated with normal vital signs and occur more commonly in fit, acclimatized individuals. Treatment is to stretch and rest in a cool environment and an oral sodium containing solution. If chronic, this condition must be differentiated from rhabdomyolysis by CPK assay and urinalysis.

Heat edema is a self-limited swelling of the hands and feet which occurs on initial exposure to a hot environment. Resolution usually occurs after several hours in a cooler environment.

Heat tetany is carpopedal spasm secondary to hyperthermia induced hyper

ventilation. It is precipitated by rapid changes in pH and body temperature and is usually relieved by rest, stretching, and massage of affected muscle groups in a cooler environment.

Heat syncope occurs because of postural hypotension in unacclimatized individuals, and is usually the result of shunting of blood to peripheral tissues to aid in heat exchange. Treatment involves placing the patient supine, rehydrating if necessary, and avoiding prolonged or rapid standing in the heat.

Prickly heat consists of a maculopapular erythematous rash most commonly seen on clothed areas of the body. It occurs when maceration and infection block the sweat gland pores. Treatment involves exposing the rash to cool, dry air several times a day.

Heat exhaustion occurs when a person experiences excessive sweating in a hot humid environment, causing volume depletion. Fluids and electrolytes are lost and not adequately replaced. Symptoms include profuse sweating, malaise, headache, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, chills, generalized weakness, tachycardia, and hypotension. Major neurologic impairment is absent. Oral rehydration of approximately one liter per hour for several hours is preferred in coherent patients without nausea or vomiting. If IV rehydration is needed, dextrose in half-normal saline is commonly used. If recovery is not progressing, the patient may need additional cooling interventions.

Heat stroke occurs when the body's thermoregulatory mechanism fails resulting in an uncontrolled rise in core body temperature. This can be due to excess heat production by the body, failure of head dissipation, extreme environmental heat, or rarely hypothalamic malfunction. Heat stroke is characterized by core body temperature of at least 104.9 degree F and acute mental status changes. It can be divided into exertional heat stroke and classic heat stroke. Exertional heat stroke occurs sporadically in the younger healthier population after or during strenuous exercise or work. It is associated with sweating, DIC, acute renal failure, lactic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, and severe hyperuricema. Classic heat stroke occurs in the elderly population with predisposing medical conditions. In general sweating is absent, and DIC and acute renal failure are rare. In both cases neurologic exam may reveal irritability, confusion, and ataxia; although coma is the most common presentation. As mortality may be as high as 10%, heat stroke represents a medical emergency. Rapid cooling is the critical factor in improving prognosis and delay in cooling translates directly with increased morbidity and mortality. Evaporative methods of cooling are probably the most useful and consist of removing all unnecessary clothing, spraying the patient with water or wrapping them in wet towels or sheets, and increasing air flow over the patient. These methods still allow easy access to the patient in the event that cardio-puhnonary resuscitation or EKG monitoring becomes necessary. Immersion methods restrict this access to the patient and may result in peripheral vasoconstriction and decreased heat loss. They may also be difficult to arrange and cooling should not be delayed. Fluids should also be administered as dextrose in half normal saline. Electrolyte replacement, bicarbinate replacement if ph<7.2, and attention to the airway with high flow oxygen should also be considered.

Prevention of Heat -Related Illness

The keys to prevention of heat related illness lie in environment assessment, proper acclimatization, and adequate hydration. The vast majority of heat related problems are a direct result of the environmental conditions to which the person is exposed. Accurate assessment of the environmental conditions including ambient temperature and humidity are essential for risk evaluation. The actual risk of heat injury related to environmental conditions can be predicted using a heat stress danger curve. Adequate fluid status in important for the prevention of heat illness. Fluids must be consumed before, during, and after strenuous activity because a substantial amount of dehydration can occur before stimulation of the thirst mechanism occurs. Sixteen (16) oz. of fluid before exercise and 8 oz. of fluid for every 20 mm. of activity are current guidelines for proper hydration. In addition, medical and drug risk factors must be assessed and addressed. n

ADVANCE SALE RESERVED SEAT TICKET DISTRIBUTION
PLAN FOR 2000 BOYS SEMIFINAL AND FINAL

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT GAMES

GENERAL PUBLIC SALE OF RESERVED SEAT TICKETS FOR

SEMIFINAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

1. The general public sale of reserved seat tickets for the championship Games Saturday, March 25 WILL OPEN ON MARCH 1, 2000, provided tickets are available at the time. All requests for reserved seat tickets other than requests by schools or officials as indicated above, must be sent directly to the Breslin Student Event Center. There will be no sale or distribution of reserved seat tickets to the general public through the MHSAA. A maximum of six reserved seat combined three session finals tickets will be sold to any one individual and the full remittance of $18 per three-session ticket must accompany each request. Tickets WILL NOT be returnable after purchase.

2. All Semifinal sessions include two games, and all Semifinal tickets are $5 per session.

3. Semifinal and Final ticket requests are to be sent to Bruce Earhart, Ticket Manager, Breslin Student Event Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.

4. Requests for reserved seat tickets from the general public received by the Ticket Manager prior to March 1, 2000 will be drawn by lot on that date and filled in the order drawn to the limit of the supply available. Requests for reserved tickets received after March 1 will be filled in the order received to the limit of the available supply.

5. On the date of the Final Tournament Championship Games (Saturday, March 25), there will also be a maximum limit of ten reserved seat tickets sold to any one individual for each session in the event reserved seat tickets still are available at that time.

RESERVED SEAT TICKET DISTRIBUTION PLAN FOR SCHOOLS WHOSE TEAMS ARE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALISTS

1.	For the Saturday morning session Championship game in Classes D and C, 4800 reserved
	seat tickets at $6 will be set aside for possible purchase enbloc by the four finalist schools
	for that session only. (Class D schools -- 1200 each; Class C schools -- 1200 each.)
2.	For the Saturday afternoon session Championship Game in Class A, 2400 reserved seat
tickets at $6 will be set aside for possible purchase enbloc by the two finalist schools (1200 each) for that session only.
3.	For the Saturday evening session Championship Game in Class B, 2400 reserved seat
tickets at $6 will be set aside for possible purchase enbloc by the two finalist schools (1200 each) for that session only.
4.	Tickets reserved for competing schools for the Final Games in which their teams are
	competing may be purchased by making arrangements as follows:

All reserved seat tickets desired by finalist team schools, up to their maximum allotment, must be purchased and paid for at one time. There will be no individual sales of such tickets. Tickets will not be returnable after purchase. 1200 reserved seat tickets for finalist schools will be allotted for the session only during which their teams are competing.

Schools may pick up tickets at the ticket office at the Breslin Student Event Center from Bruce Earhart.

BOYS BASKETBALL 2000 TICKET INFORMATION

Ticket Categories -- Deadline Dates -- Cost

1. All-Tournament -- Member schools and officials may purchase up to their per-school maximum or approved official's maximum All-Tournament tickets that will admit the bearer to all seven sessions of Semifinal and Final contests. The All-Tournament ticket will allow the bearer to have the same concourse reserved armchair seat or upper deck reserved armchair seat throughout all the tournament games. Officials must be on the Approved Boys Basketball List.

The school classification maximums and officials maximum:

Cost: $38 per All-Tournament ticket. The per-school maximums and officials maximum (Class A - 16; Class B - 16; Class C - 12; Class D - 12; Junior High - 2; Approved Officials - 2. Deadline Date -- Feb. 10, 2000

2.	Combined three-session Finals tickets @ $18 x (official's maximum or per-school
	maximum). Deadline Date -- Feb. 10, 2000
3.	Semifinal game tickets -- Tickets per session @ $5 x (officials maximum or per-school
	maximum). Deadline Date -- Feb. 10, 2000

Session 1 - Class C @ $5 x (official's maximum or school maximum)

Session 2 - Class D @ $5 x (official's maximum or school maximum)

Session 3 - Class A @ $5 x (official's maximum or school maximum)

Session 4 - Class B @ $5 x (official's maximum or school maximum)

4. A combination of All-Tournament tickets, three-session Finals tickets, and Semifinals tickets that does not exceed specified maximum(s). Deadline date Feb. 10, 2000.

An official or school may not exceed the specified maximum(s) for any category of tickets purchased. Example:

A Class C school may elect to purchase:

Up to 12 All-Tournament Tickets @ $38 = $456

or a combination of tickets that may include:

7 All-Tournament Tickets @ $38 = $266

7 Three-Session Finals Tickets @ $18 = $126

7 Session 1 Semifinals Tickets @ $ 5 = $ 35

7 Session 2 Semifinals Tickets @ $ 5 = $ 35

7 Session 3 Semifinals Tickets @ $ 5 = $ 35

7 Session 4 Semifinals Tickets @ $ 5 = $ 35

Total = $532

Deadline Date -- Feb. 10, 2000

(Parking is not included in price of tickets.)

SCHOOL RESERVED SEAT TICKET DISTRIBUTION PLAN

All-Tournament Tickets (seven sessions) $38

Combination Three-Session Finals Reserved Seat Tickets (D/C - A-B) - $18

(Parking Not Included)

1. High schools classified with the Michigan High School Athletic Association for the 1999-00 school year may purchase combined reserved seat tickets in advance for the morning, afternoon and evening session games at $18 (does not include parking) for all sessions for the Saturday, March 25, Final Tournament games in accordance with the following maximum allotment schedule (see order blank):

Class A schools maximum of 16 reserved seat tickets each for each session

Class B schools maximum of 16 reserved seat tickets each for each session

Class C schools maximum of 12 reserved seat tickets each for each session

Class D schools maximum of 12 reserved seat tickets each for each session

Junior High Schools maximum of two reserved seat tickets each for each session

2. Member schools may request (up to the established per school maximum) All-Tournament tickets that will allow for the same reserved armchair seat in all seven sessions of Semifinal and Final sessions. Cost @ $18 (see order blank).

3. School requests and remittances are to be forwarded to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing 48823, in order to be received NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, FEB. 10, 2000. School ticket requests received after Feb. 10, 2000 will not be accepted. Those orders received late in the period ending Feb. 8 may be returned if the available supply of tickets has been exhausted.

4. Full remittance (check or money order made payable to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc.) must accompany all school reserved seat ticket requests. All school requests must be signed by the superintendent of schools or the high school principal. Reserved seat tickets WILL NOT be returnable after purchase.

SEMIFINAL GAMES -- Thursday, March 23 and Friday, March 24, 2000

ALL GAMES AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Session 1 - Two Class C games (1 p.m. and 2:50 p.m.) Thursday

Session 2 - Two Class D games (6 p.m. and 7:50 p.m.) Thursday

Session 3 - Two Class A games (1 p.m. and 2:50 p.m.) Friday

Session 4 - Two Class B games (6 p.m. and 7:50 p.m.) Friday

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES -- SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2000

SESSION 5 -- MORNING

10 a.m. &SHY; Class D Championship Game.................................................MSU-Breslin

Noon &SHY; Class C Championship Game.................................................MSU-Breslin

SESSION 6 -- AFTERNOON

4 p.m. -- Class A Championship Game.................................................MSU-Breslin

SESSION 7 -- EVENING

7:30 p.m. -- Class B Championship Game.................................................MSU-Breslin

(Use Order Form on Reverse Side)

SCHOOL APPLICATION FOR RESERVED SEAT TICKETS

NOTE: PLEASE INCLUDE THE SCHOOL I.D. NUMBER ON THIS APPLICATION FORM. (SEE MHSAA SCHOOL DIRECTORY FOR CORRECT NUMBER.)

Class ________

School ________________________________________________(I.D. No.) ____________

Street ______________________________ City _________________ Zip Code __________

Date ______/_______/00 (Signed) ______________________________________________

(Superintendent or Principal)

Enclosed is CHECK or MONEY ORDER made payable to the Michigan High School Athletic Association for total amount of tickets indicated below on this form only. In accordance with the School Ticket Limits explained on reverse side of this Blank. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Not more than a school's classification allotment limit of tickets may be requested.

All Games at MSU-Breslin Student Event Center

ALL-TOURNAMENT

TICKETS @ $38 x (per school maximum-see allotments) $___________

(Semi and Final Games -- parking is not included)

FINALS -- COMBINED THREE-SESSION FINALS TICKETS

(There is no advance sale of Single-Session, Final Tickets)

Combined Three-Session Finals Tickets @ $18 x ( ) per quota = $___________

(parking not included)

*(See below for maximum allowed)

SEMIFINAL GAME TICKETS

TOTAL

Session 1 (Class C) @ $5 x (per school maximum-see allotments) $__________

Session 2 (Class D) @ $5 x (per school maximum-see allotments) $__________

Session 3 (Class A) @ $5 x (per school maximum-see allotments) $__________

Session 4 (Class B) @ $5 x (per school maximum-see allotments) $__________

Total Remittance (Finals and Semifinals) $__________

IMPORTANT: This APPLICATION BLANK, together with correct remittance (no currency please) for the number of reserved seat tickets requested up to the maximum allotment for any one session, is to be forwarded to Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing 48823, IN ORDER TO BE RECEIVED AT THE MHSAA OFFICE NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, FEB. 10. School requests for reserved seat tickets will open shortly after that date if tickets are still available.

Schools--Detach and Forward This Blank Prior to

Friday, Feb. 10, as Directed in Paragraph Above

RESERVED SEAT TICKET DISTRIBUTION PLAN

FOR BASKETBALL OFFICIALS ON THE

BOYS APPROVED LIST (16 OR MORE RATINGS)

All Tournament Tickets (seven sessions)--$38

Combination Three-Session Finals Reserved Seat Tickets (C/D-A-B) $18

(Parking Not Included)

1. The Representative Council has adopted the general policy of allowing a limited number of registered basketball officials on the Approved List for the current school year to request advance purchases of reserved seat tickets for the 2000 Final Tournament Championship games.

2. Approved basketball officials may request:

a.) a maximum of two (2) All-Tournament tickets that will allow for the same reserved armchair seat in all seven sessions of Semifinals and Finals sessions. Cost is $38 (see order blank),

b.) a maximum of two (2) combination three-session reserved seat tickets at $18 may be purchased. (See order blank.)

3. This opportunity, however, is modified as follows: Eight hundred (800) reserved seat tickets (two for each official for each session) will be set aside for the 400 officials whose requests are drawn by lot at the MHSAA office following the closing date of advance ticket sale to schools and officials. After all school ticket requests are filled which are received at the MHSAA office by Feb. 10, and provided reserve seat tickets are still available, the remaining requests for tickets filed by the above officials will be filled to the limit of the supply.

4. Requests by approved basketball officials and remittances are to be forwarded to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing 48823, in order to be received NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, FEB. 10, 2000.

5. Full remittance (check or money order made payable to the MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INC.) must accompany all requests for reserved seat tickets by the above officials. Reserved seat tickets WILL NOT be returnable after purchase. Second party checks will not be accepted.

(Use Order Form on Reverse Side)

APPLICATION BLANK FOR RESERVED SEAT TICKETS

FOR OFFICIALS ON THE APPROVED

BOYS BASKETBALL LIST

1. Please include I.D. Number

2. Requests for tickets will not be honored unless the approved official sends a check or money order in his/her name. Second party checks will not be accepted.

Name of Official _______________________________________ (I.D. No.) _____________

Street _______________________________ City __________________ Zip Code _________

Official's Signature__________________________________ Date ___ /___ /00

Enclosed is CHECK or MONEY ORDER made payable to the Michigan High School Athletic Association for total amount of tickets for ONE OFFICIAL ONLY in accordance with the Ticket Limitations for Registered Officials explained on reverse side of this Blank.

All Games at MSU-Breslin Student Event Center

ALL-TOURNAMENT

TICKETS @ $38.....................(Maximum 2)................. $_______________

(Semi and Final Games -- parking not included)

FINALS -- COMBINED THREE-SESSION FINALS TICKETS

(There is no advance sale of Single-Session, Final Tickets)

Combined Three-Session Finals Tickets @ $18(Maximum 2) $______________

(parking not included)

SEMIFINAL GAME TICKETS

Session 1 (Class C) @ $5 x (Maximum 2) $______________

Session 2 (Class D) @ $5 x (Maximum 2) $______________

Session 3 (Class A) @ $5 x (Maximum 2) $______________

Session 4 (Class B) @ $5 x (Maximum 2) $______________

Total Remittance (Finals and Semifinals) $______________

(Maximum $76)

IMPORTANT: This APPLICATION BLANK, together with correct remittance (no currency please) for the number of reserved seat tickets requested up to the maximum of two (2) for any one session is to be forwarded to Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing 48823, IN ORDER TO BE RECEIVED AT THE MHSAA OFFICE NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10.

Applications will NOT be accepted from officials not on the Approved Boys Basketball List.

Officials--Detach and Forward This Blank Prior to

Friday, February 10, as Directed in Paragraph Above

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINAL & FINALS

MARCH 23-25, 2000

HOTEL RESERVATION

* All spaces must be filled out completely -- type or print clearly.

* All acknowledgements will be sent to the individual whose name and address appears below.

* Hotels require a credit card guarantee.

* Confirmation will be sent directly by your assigned hotel.

* Do not send room deposits to the Housing Bureau, your selected hotel will send a confirmation along with instructions for room deposits.

* Room reservations will be processed by the Housing Bureau until March 1, 2000. After March 1, room referral system will be available for direct housing assistance. Call the toll free phone number listed below to find out which hotels have rooms available.

PLEASE MAIL FORM DIRECTLY TO:

MHSAA Housing Bureau

P. O. Box 15066 · Lansing, MI 48901-5066

CALL 1-888-252-6746 OR FAX 517-487-5151

Hotel should confirm this reservation to:

Name_______________________________ Arrival Date_______________

Address_____________________________ Departure Date____________

City, State, Zip_______________________ TYPE OF ROOM:

Single (1 bed)

Phone (Days)_________________________ (1-2 persons)

(Area Code) Double (2 beds)

(2-4 persons)

NAMES OF ADDITIONAL PEOPLE

OCCUPYING ROOM GUARANTEED

RESERVATIONS

____________________________________ Credit Card:

AX MC VS

____________________________________ No._____________________

____________________________________ Exp. Date________________

Special Requests: ______________________________________________

HOTEL/RATES

(Not including tax)

Number in order of preference -- Convention & Visitors Bureau

is not responsible for room rates.

1. Best Western Midway Hotel $69 flat rate _________________

2. Comfort Inn - $75 flat rate _________________

3. Days Inn Lansing - $55.95 flat rate _________________

4. East Lansing Marriott at University Place $104 flat rate _________________

5. Fairfield Inn - Okemos - $99 flat rate _________________

6. Harley Hotel of Lansing $75 flat rate _________________

7. Holiday Inn Express $75 flat rate _________________

8. Kellogg Center - Michigan State University

$89-139 (depending on room type) _________________

9. Quality Inn $85 flat rate _________________

10. Radisson Hotel Lansing $99 flat rate _________________

11. Ramada Inn $67 single/double - $8 each additional _________________

12. Red Roof Inn-East $64.99 flat rate _________________

13. Sheraton Lansing Hotel $99.00 flat rate _________________

1999 Football Playoffs By The Numbers

* 256 teams qualified for the expanded MHSAA Football Playoffs in 1999.

* 241 teams were "automatic qualifiers" which won 6 or more games of a nine-game regular season or had 5 wins during their 8-game regulation season.

* 15 teams were added to complete the 256 team Playoff field: the four teams from each of Classes A, B and C and the three teams from Class D which had the highest Playoff average but had not qualified by win total.

* Four "additional qualifiers" were in Division 3, three additional qualifiers were in Divisions 6 and 8, two additional qualifiers were in Division 2, one additional qualifier was in Divisions 1, 4 and 7. Division 5 had no additional qualifiers.

* Four of the 15 "additional qualifiers" won their first-round games; three won second-round games; one won its Regional, Semifinal and Final games.

* 12 of the 256 qualifying teams played eight-game regular-season schedules. Eight of them won and four of them lost their first-round games.

* Fourth-seeds defeated their opponents in 11 of 64 first-round games.

Six fourth-seeds were District champions;

Three were Regional champs before being eliminated.

* Home teams won 102 of 128 first-round games, 39 of 64 District final games, and 16 of 29 Regional games (three were at a neutral site).

* Of the eight champions, two were undefeated, two had one loss, two had two losses, one and three losses and one had four losses.

Qualifiers by Enrollment Classification Classification of Finalists

Class A &SHY; 72 of 178 schools = 41% 6 Class A schools &SHY; 3 champions

Class B &SHY; 80 of 184 schools = 43% 4 Class B schools &SHY; 2 champions

Class C &SHY; 70 of 172 schools = 41% 4 Class C schools &SHY; 2 champions

Class D &SHY; 34 of 85 schools = 40% 2 Class D schools &SHY; 1 champion

Enrollement Range by Division Enrollment Range of Finalists

Division 1 &SHY; 2568-1557 Division 1 &SHY; 2428-1979*

Division 2 &SHY; 1539-1110 Division 2 &SHY; 1406-1129*

Division 3 &SHY; 1107-846 Division 3 &SHY; 1050-1011*

Division 4 &SHY; 845-661 Division 4 &SHY; 794*-768

Division 5 &SHY; 652-471 Division 5 &SHY; 607-592*

Division 6 &SHY; 465-351 Division 6 &SHY; 448-384*

Division 7 &SHY; 350-254 Division 7 &SHY; 296-275*

Division 8 &SHY; 251- 97 Division 8 &SHY; 185*-127

* indicates MHSAA Champion

Sportsmanship Summitt III

Mark Your Calendars Now!

Date: September 27, 2000

Place: Lansing Center in Lansing, Mich.

Invited: Student-Athletes, Coaches, Administrators, Boosters, Board Members, Officials

Limited to first 2,000 Registrants

Registration: Registration forms will be sent to all member schools and officials associations in April and will be

included in the April issue of the MHSAA Bulletin

Cost: $15 &SHY; Includes materials, refreshments and lunch

Confirmed

Headliners:	Bill Curry, Chief Operating Officer for the National
	Consortium for Academics and Sports, and ESPN
	College Football Analyst and Commentator

Barry Mano, Publisher, Referee Magazine

FALL SPORTS NUTRITION RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

The fall 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.

Seven 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 eighth 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 fall sports scholarship recipients were honored at ceremonies at halftime of the Class C championship game of the MHSAA Girls Basketball Finals at Rose Arena in Mt. Pleasant on Dec. 4.

The schools chosen to receive fall Sports Nutrition Awards are: Girls Basketball - St. Johns High School, head coach Mark Laceski, nutrition liaison Diane Penix, scholarship recipient Amy Marie Hyde; Girls Cross Country - Traverse City West High School, head coach Ann Post, scholarship recipient Emily Johnston; Boys Cross Country - Bear Lake High School, head coach Dal Townsend, nutrition liaison Lynette Maxey, scholarship recipient Aaron Shrum; Football - Rapid River High School, head coach Steve Ostrenga, nutrition liaison Francie Larrabee, scholarship recipient Adam Rushford; Boys Soccer - Sandusky High School, head coach Randy Filkins, scholarship recipient Jesse Buck; Girls Swimming & Diving - Ferndale High School, co-coaches Ann Herrold, Beth Thayer and Diane Chasteen, scholarship recipient Tara Haggerty; Girls Tennis - Davison High School, head coach Jennifer Hall, scholarship recipient Jenni Benford.

Sandusky was a recipient last year in boys cross country, while Davison is receiving the girls tennis award for the second straight year.

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 the girls cross country application from Warren Mott High School for the second consecutive year. The head coach is Mark Urquhart, the nutrition liaison is Michele Urquhart, and the scholarship recipient is Nicole Yuhase.

All schools which participated in the Sports Nutrition Award program will be recognized with a certificate. Information for winter sports will be mailed soon to head coaches at each MHSAA senior high school, with the award recipients to be named in early March, and the scholarship recipients to be honored at the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals at East Lansing on March 25.

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

2000 WRESTLING TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Two (2) sets of entry materials are required to be submitted by each school in order to enter the 1999-00 Wrestling Tournament. An entry consists of three (3) documents; the bright yellow Entry Form, a current Eligibility Form and the 1999-00 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.

Tournament Due Date Required Entry Documents

Individual District 4 p.m. 2/11/00 Individual Entry Form; Eligibility Form; Alpha Master Form

Team District 4 pm 2/11/00 Team Entry Form; Eligibility Form; Alpha Master Form

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 3, 2000. Quarterfinal pairings were determined by open draw. The Semifinal round in all classes will be contested on March 4, 2000, 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. 11, 2000. 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

1 . Individual tournaments may be extended beyond 16 wrestler brackets. The extended bracket is referred to as a "rat tail".

2. Rat tails occur as indicated in the sample district bracket in the "round of 32" (GIB No. W-5).

3. All matches in the "round of 32" will be wrestled in each weight class before any matches in the "round of 16" are wrestled in any weight classes.

4. Seeding of wrestlers will follow the procedure utilized in the past (GIB #W-5). All entrants may be considered for one of the eight (8) possible seeds. All unseeded wrestlers will be drawn into the weight bracket by blind draw/computer draw. Wrestlers from the same team shall not be separated by design. It is possible that wrestlers from the same school can meet in the first round of wrestling.

5. Each weight class will utilize the double-elimination wrestle-back beginning with the quarterfinal round (round of eight). n

National Federation Wrestling Questions Regarding

Rule 1-3-2B "The 50% Rule"

1. What is the 50% rule?

Answer: Each wrestler who enters the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Tournament is required to have weighed in at the weight he will compete at in the MHSAA Individual postseason tournament for at least one half of his regular season weigh-ins.

2. Does the 50% rule apply to the MHSAA Team Wrestling Tournament Series?

Answer: No. Wrestlers may enter the Team Tournament with no record which has been the case since the Team Tournament began.

3. Will the 50% requirement be the same for all wrestlers?

Answer: Each wrestler must weigh-in, in half or more of his weigh-ins, at the weight he is entered in the Individual District. A wrestler who weighs-in and wrestles in eight of the sixteen allowed weigh-ins would qualify. As well, a wrestler who weighed in three times as a varsity wrestler, wrestling twice at the weight he will compete at in the Individual District, will accommodate the 50% rule.

4. If a wrestler weighs-in 12 times; six at 135 and six more times at 140 pounds at which weight classes would he be eligible?

Answer: Rule 4-4-3 allows a contestant to be eligible at the weight class above that class for which his actual stripped weight, at the time of weigh-in, qualifies him. The wrestler under consideration is eligible at 135, 140 and 145 pounds.

5. If a wrestler weighs-in three times at 145, three times at 152 and three times at 160 is he eligible to compete in the Individual Wrestling Tournament?

Answer: The wrestler could wrestle at 160 pounds because the six weigh-ins combined at 152 and 160 exceed 50% of his weigh-ins for his season.

6. Which weigh-ins count in determining eligibility with respect to the 50% rule?

Answer: Only the 16 regular season weigh-ins may count. Even though the Team District occurs before the Individual District, that weigh-in is part of the MHSAA postseason tournament and not one of the regular season weigh-ins. All varsity and sub-varsity competition must be recorded on the season history summary to be submitted at the District (Individual) Tournament Saturday, Feb. 19, 2000.

7. If a wrestler's actual weight is not recorded on the Season Summary Form, at which weight may he compete in the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Tournament series?

Answer: Without a record of actual weights at each weigh-in, a wrestler does not qualify at any weight. The MHSAA recommends the coach maintain a record of all weigh-in forms and have them available at the Individual District Wrestling Seeding Meeting.

8. Can a wrestler weigh-in, but not compete in order to count the weigh-in toward the 50% requirement?

Answer: The MHSAA has never required a wrestler to count toward his personal limit of 16, a weigh-in which does not result in competition. A wrestler must compete, accept a forfeit or default, in order for a weigh-in to count toward compliance with Rule 1-3-2b. n

WRESTLING CASEBOOK ADDITION (added 11/3/98)

INJURY TIME

Wrestler A is injured for the second time at the conclusion of the first period. How is the penalty assessed for Rule 8-2-1?

If A wins the flip or has his turn in a dual meet:

B would get his choice at the start of the second and third period.

If B wins the flip or has his turn in a dual meet:

If B defers, it would be A's choice and, therefore, B would get the choice at the start of the second and third period.

If B selects a position for the second period, then A would get his choice at the start of the third period.

Does the second injury choice apply to the 30-second overtime?

The choice of position applies to the non-injured wrestler in the 30-second overtime.

Does the second injury choice apply when the buzzer sounds at the end of regulation with the match tied? Does the uninjured wrestler receive the choice at the beginning of the 1 1/2 minute overtime?

The uninjured wrestler would get a choice of up, down or neutral at the beginning of the two-minute overtime .

If the wrestler is injured in the overtime or tiebreaker by an illegal act, the official awards the one point which ends the match; would this be a three-point decision or a six-point decision?

The official must run the 1.5 minute recovery time. If the injured wrestler is able to wrestle before the 1.5 minutes has expired, this would be a three-point decision. If the injured wrestler is unable to continue, this would be a six-point decision.

See http://ww.nfhs.org for other current interpretations. n

1999 Ski Committee Meeting

October 26, 1999, East Lansing

Members Present:

Jim Bartlett, Nub's Nob Ski Area, Harbor Springs (Advisory)

Bob Bonetti, Asst. Principal, Negaunee

Sue Dieters, Coach, Rochester

Jerry Fouch, Athletic Director, East Grand Rapids

Tom Halsey, Pres. MSCA, Bloomfield Hills-Cranbrook Kingswood

Dale Harrison, Coach, Brighton

Sue Miller, Coach, Charlevoix

Kent Reynolds, Supt., Grayling

Robert Riemersma, Principal, Manistee

Sheri Schultz, Coach, Cadillac

John Sonnemann, Athletic Director, Traverse City Central (MIAAA)

Members Absent:

Rob Rhoades, Coach, Bloomfield Hills-Brother Rice

Dave Tuuri, Coach, Grand Blanc

Staff Members Present:

Gina Mazzolini, Assistant Director (Recorder)

The 1999-2000 Ski Committee met on October 26, 1999 at the MHSAA office in East Lansing. After a brief welcome, the committee was reminded of the purpose of the meeting and the process for proposing rule changes.

The committee reviewed the proposals from the 1998 Ski Committee and subsequent action of the proposals by the Representative Council.

PROPOSALS FROM THE MICHIGAN

SKI COACHES ASSOCIATION

1. Advance four teams (each gender) from each regional to the Final Meet (9-0-1 in favor).

Rationale: Involve more schools, bring in a variety of students, and create more excitement. From a ski hill perspective, it takes a lot of energy to put on the event, more participants would help balance the effort.

2. Recommend the following equipment for MHSAA tournaments be provided by the MHSAA.

a. Binding Height Template - This piece of equipment would measure in millimeters so it would ensure a fair and accurate measure (i.e., 55-millimeter ruling.) Supply two per site (10-0 in favor).

b. Valiant Ski Scoring Software - After some discussion on a "version" problem or upgrades with excel and the possibility of incompatible machines, there was not a vote. Committee asked that MHSAA pursue this notion with Greg Foresi and MHSAA computer personnel.

c. Time Tec Timer (the FIS Homolgamated Timing System - After discussion, most ski hills have their own timing system with the necessary plugs, outlets and wiring. A different system could cause more problems. The people running the meet want to use equipment that they have used all season. No vote.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

1. Amateur Status - The committee was reminded of the MHSAA regulation. The members felt this was not an issue with our high school racers. The ski industry doesn't sponsor high school athletes like other sports.

2. Non-School Competition - The MHSAA Ski Manual, page 2,C outlines the parameters of competitions. Students are allowed to ski in sanctioned non-school meets as part of the 15 competitions. Tracking is done for the student-athletes whom ski school and the sanctioned non-school meets for their total of 15 meets. The following is the result of the last two years.

a. Winter of 1998-83 students responded, only six athletes listed 15 contests, all others had fewer meets.

b. Winter of 1999-66 students responded, no athletes listed, 15 contests, several listed 14, but due to poor weather, many revised their list with fewer meets.

3. Equipment - The committee was reminded of the statement in the MHSAA Ski Manual:

"Coaches and competitors should be aware of and consider the availability and value of supplemental equipment which might include helmets, shin guards, body armor and basher bands."

After much discussion, the committee concurred on the following:

a. Each individual and each school should explore equipment issues.

b. At this time, there is no clear American Standard for helmet certification. (If helmets were required, which helmet would be endorsed?)

c. Research suggests that a helmet won't protect an individual going faster than 12-14 miles per hour.

d. If student-athletes wore helmets, are they physically fit (neck strength) for this extra apparatus?

Decisions should be made with knowledge of skill level, weather conditions, slope of hill, desired protection (basher), and toughness of course. Ski Coaches Association and MHSAA will continue to monitor.

4. Dates for MHSAA Ski Finals - An eight-year calendar was shared with the committee. The previous committee had requested such information to look at President's Weekend in relation to MHSAA Ski Regionals and Finals. It appears there are no conflicts.

5. Review of rotation for Class A and Class BCD Final sites - The 1998 Ski Committee selected a rotation for Final sites. There was some confusion with the stated rotation, therefore, an amendment to the rotation was presented. A secret ballot was done and the amendment failed (3-6-1 opposed).

After additional discussion, the committee agreed to follow the remaining two years of the three- year rotation schedule from the previous committee. The following schedule shall be followed:

Year	Class A	Class BCD
2000	Marquette Mt.		Nub's Nob
2001	Nub's Nob	Boyne Mt.

6. Selection of Regional sites and approval of school assignments - The committee approved the placement of schools within Regional alignments. There were very few changes to be made. The following Regional hosts were approved.

1999-00 Regionals

1 - Schuss Mountain -Forest Hills Central and Forest Hills Northern

2 - Pine Knob - Lake Orion

3 - Alpine Valley

4 - Boyne Mountain - Charlevoix

5 - Crystal Mountain - Manistee

6 - Mt. Holly - Ortonville-Brandon

2000-01 Regionals

1 - Crystal or Cabrafae

2 - Mt. Holly- (by rotation)

3 - Mt. Brighton - (by rotation)

4 - U.P. Black Jack

5 - Schuss Mountain

6 - Cannonsburg - (by rotation)

The committee felt that in Region 4, it was the Upper Peninsula's turn to host a Regional. (All other sites are contingent upon agreement with the hill and finding a school to host. If no host is available, a site will be changed.)

7. Criteria for Hosting an MHSAA Event - The committee suggested that the MHSAA send a letter to all perspective ski hills, requesting information about the property. The final decision, however, will be made by the MHSAA Ski Committee. The following criteria will be looked at:

a. Number of gates

b. Convenience for spectators. Can all four courses be seen from one area?

c. Weather

d. Cooperation of area

e. Work force, equipment, timing system available at hill

f. Accessibility

g. Cost

RECOMMENDATIONS TO

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

1. Advance four teams (each gender) from each Regional to the Final Meet.

Meeting adjourned. n

Awards Committee Meeting

October 18, 1999

East Lansing

Members Present:

Keith Alto, Newberry

Keith Eldred, Williamston

Jean LaClair, Bronson

Melanie Miller, Lansing-Sexton

Dail Prucka, Monroe-Jefferson

Bill Scaletta, Stevensville-Lakeshore

Brian Zdanowski, Greenville

Staff Members Present:

Jerry Cvengros, Associate Director

Sally Fisher, Assistant to Assoc. Director

Committee Members Absent:

Paul Hornak, Ithaca

Ray Rivers, Detroit-Commerce

The Awards Committee met on Monday, October 18, 1999, and reviewed procedures concerning requirements for various MHSAA awards, deadline dates and changes in the selection process.

FORSYTHE AND WISL AWARDS

Finalists were selected from the pool of nominations for both the Charles Forsythe and Women In Sports Leadership Awards. Final selection will be made by the Representative Council at its meeting in December.

BUSH AWARD

The committee adopted, by unanimous vote, the following procedure in selection of finalists for the Allen W. Bush Awards in April each year: "In addition to the appointed members of the Awards Committee, MHSAA executive staff will be allowed to vote on candidates for presentation to the Representative Council."

It was felt that because criteria for selection of the Bush Awards is weighted heavily on service to the MHSAA that staff would have greater knowledge for evaluation.

The recommendation will be advanced to the Representative Council. n

1999 Cheer Ad Hoc Committee Meeting

October 26, 1999

East Lansing

Members Present: Members Absent: Jim Glazier, AD, Grandville Traci Lentz, Coach/Judge, Portage Northern

Deb Karaba, Judge, North Muskegon Kim Nordon, Coach, Brown City

Barb Laird, Coach/Judge, Chippewa Valley Trisha Yost, Coach, Divine Child

Jean Maiville, Coach, Leslie

Sal Malek, AD, Ladywood Staff Members Present:

Kelli Matthes, Coach, Lake Orion Suzanne Martin

Vic Michaels, Detroit Catholic League Monique Nelson

Ken Semelsberger, AD, Port Huron

Julie Smith-Boyd, Coach, Grandville

Jann Stahr, Coach, Judge, Flat Rock

Jenni Willard, Coach, Centreville

COMMITTEE INFORMATION

Background - The members of the Ad hoc committee were provided with the background of how and why the MHSAA Competitive Cheer Committee requested Representative Council approval for this committee to be formed.

Information - The committee members were given information on numbers of schools that sponsor competitive cheer, the number sponsoring the sport by class and enrollment figures from highest to lowest enrollment.

Charge - The task of the ad hoc committee is to determine whether there are member schools, administrators, coaching staff and community interest in sponsoring the sport that currently do not. Additionally, should the MHSAA provide education and instruction so that more schools will sponsor competitive cheer.

COMMITTEE CONCERNS

The committee members discussed concerns expressed by member schools who do not currently sponsor competitive cheer. The following were discussed and considered as options for change:

Smaller Schools - Schools with smaller squads should not have to compete with schools that can put 12 competitors in each round.

Round 3 - Consider modification so less tumbling is required.

Teams should be allowed 16 competitors in round 3 as is allowed in sideline cheer events.

Novice division - Consideration for creation so the new teams in the sport have fewer requirements.

There was thorough discussion regarding the role MHSAA should take, if any, to encourage or assist schools interested in the sport. The committee decided that the best way to determine the direction it should take is to survey member schools. The Ad hoc committee assisted MHSAA staff in preparing a survey instrument that was submitted to the Executive Committee for approval on Oct. 13, 1999.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO MHSAA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Ad hoc committee requested staff submit to the MHSAA Executive Committee for approval to mail, a survey instrument that would be sent to all member schools. The intent of the survey is to determine the number of schools interested in sponsoring Competitive Cheer and what services MHSAA might provide to prepare school teams for this sport.

Next Meeting - The next meeting of the Ad hoc Cheer committee is on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1999, at 10 a.m. in the MHSAA building.n

Officials Review Committee Meeting

October 11, 1999, East Lansing

Members Present:

Keith Alto, Newberry High School

Jim Danhoff, Richland

Sam Davis, Lansing

Kevin Herendeen, East Jackson

Dewayne Jones, West Bloomfield

John Juday, Petoskey

Dennis Kniola, Stevensville-Lakeshore

Ron Nagy, Hazel Park

A. Dean Parling, Ithaca

Tom Rashid, Archdiocese of Detroit

Tom Rau, Burton

Archy Robinson, Saginaw

Tom Smith, Escanaba

Mike Terwilliger, Grand Rapids

Bob Williams, Redford

Amy Zdanowski, Onaway

Members Absent:

Mel Atkins, Grand Rapids Public Schools

Barry Hobrla, Lowell High School

Sheldon Larky, Oak Park

Staff Members Present:

Bill Bupp (Recorder)

Tom Minter

OFFICIALS RECOGNITION

It was voted to recommend to the Representative Council, for their adoption, that the Michigan High School Athletic Association add three levels of recognition to the Officials Recognition program. A five year recognition which would be a useful token; a ten year recognition which would be a useful gift and finally a distinctive forty year recognition for our most senior officials. Passed unanimously.

RECRUITMENT OF OFFICIALS

Following extended discussion, it was suggested that the MHSAA develop one or more options to increase the number of new officials who register with the Michigan High School Athletic Association annually. Suggestions include a benefit to officials who recruit others; i.e., if an official recruits two new persons into the MHSAA registration program, we would provide the recruiting officials free registration or something similar. Second, provide incentives to schools that offer officiating classes. Third, visit with curriculum directors to promote the addition of officials education programs into high school curriculums. The assistant director will pursue at least one of these suggestions for possible implementation in the next registration year.

RULES MEETING

MAKE-UP MEETINGS

There was much discussion about make-up policies for rules meetings and the availability of officials for certain individual sports. Historically, we have had some problems in filling tournament opportunities in baseball, softball and volleyball. It was suggested that in these sports exclusively, local association trainers be provided with power point presentations and permitted to provide at least one make-up meeting for officials in their area who had missed the regularly scheduled rules meetings. In addition, those who participate in the make-up opportunity would be required to complete a closed book test in the presence of the trainer from the local association in order to qualify for rules meeting attendance. This option would require a passing grade of 85 percent plus participation in the presentation at the Approved Association program. Passed unanimously.

LATE FEE POLICY

It was recommended that there be no changes in the late fee policy as printed in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Officials Guidebook. Passed unanimously.

ON-LINE AND CREDIT CARD

REGISTRATION

The committee supported the MHSAA efforts to offer credit card and on-line registration. Further, the committee encouraged that the MHSAA put this program into effect as soon as possible, hopefully at the beginning of the 2000-2001 registration year. Passed unanimously.

OFFICIALS EVALUATION

There was discussion and a request that the assistant director learn how associations are evaluating officials who are association members. Once that information is learned, it is suggested that the assistant director provide educational opportunity for trainers and senior officials in Approved Associations who wish to develop their evaluation skills.

USE OF APPROVED ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL BY LEAGUES

The committee requests that the Representative Council begin a campaign to encourage leagues to use officials from Approved Associations. The essential element that the committee is focusing on is the need to increase the use of trained officials who participate in ongoing education. With the influx of new officials on a yearly basis, many have experienced officials, with very little training or none at all, working at several levels including the varsity level in some sports.

The shortage of officials and the lack of longevity for some officials have resulted in the use of any registered person for any level of contest, regardless of their preparedness to officiate at the level to which they are assigned.

The committee recognizes that leagues are one part of the overall solution and believe that their increased level of interest and expectation may send a signal that will help in the overall resolution to the shortage of officials issue. In addition, the committee suggested that this topic be brought to the league and conference meeting hosted by the MHSAA in January or February and that some time be dedicated to the discussion to point out how league and conference programs can assist in resolving this concern. Passed unanimously.

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP/

TOURNAMENT SELECTION

The committee suggests that the Michigan High School Athletic Association institute a requirement which would begin in the year 2005 that officials who are extended invitations to work MHSAA tournament contests be members of Approved Associations. Passed unanimously.

OFFICIALS INACTIVE STATUS

It was a request of the committee that the MHSAA investigate the addition of a category for officials that would allow an official to be a registered inactive official. The concern is that when an official leaves officiating for some reason and returns, he or she must rebuild all ratings in order to become eligible for tournament assignments. Generally when the official departs, three years of ratings are on record. By the time the official returns, the ratings are depleted and the average rating is zero. In order to qualify for the proposed inactive status, the official would have to register as "INACTIVE" so that the ratings and the number of ratings would remain on file until the official returns within three years. This would allow the officials to "pick up where they left off". An official returning from inactive status would not be eligible for anything more than the first level of tournament play until the official accumulates sufficient new ratings and a new average. Passed unanimously.

ISSUES NOT ON THE AGENDA

In an effort to identify issues that were not a part of the agenda, each committee member was given an opportunity to speak about concerns that they felt were important to the officiating community. This is the summary of the topics, some of which may be placed on agendas for further discussion at a future Officials Review Committee Meeting:

* The Upper Peninsula is in a difficult situation. In some circumstances, less than qualified persons have been permitted to work tournaments. Many long time officials are not being replaced. Based on the concept of "what gets measured, gets done", requirements and accountability need to be in place in order to improve the overall officiating program and to eventually allow the officiating community to grow.

* Baseball and Softball officials are lacking knowledge of proper mechanics for three person crews. There is a desire to consider moving the three person officiating team to levels below the quarterfinal.

* Three person basketball and five person football crews cause a loss of crews not a loss of officials. Essentially, the speaker believes that by endorsing or utilizing three and five person crews in basketball and football, we do not essentially change the landscape. Simply, we combine groups of officials into larger crews.

* Not enough people. Officials need to recruit. However, this is a global problem and all elements of the educational community need to get involved and recognize their importance in the recruitment process.

* Recruitment is important to the officiating community. We must target recruitment and it is suggested that it may be time to consult a marketing firm to assist us in setting up a plan that will coordinate our effort and provide consistency regarding our theme and procedure. The speaker also wishes that we set up a sub committee to study tournament selection procedures.

* Physical fitness of officials and recruiting are two issues that need our immediate attention.

* Pride in officiating was identified as an area needing some serious attention. Along with education and training, officials need to believe what they are doing is important and they need to understand exactly the impact that they can have on the youth of our state. A program to draw attention to these positive elements would be beneficial in developing pride within the officials who are MHSAA registered. Promoting required membership in Approved Associations would ensure professional development opportunities.

* Execute the plan; one issue suggested is that we need to develop a comprehensive plan then execute it. We must do something to assist officials in regaining dignity. We must begin to treat officials with more respect and we need to deal with the economy and transportation concerns that affect all schools. Athletic directors need to be encouraged to schedule creatively in order to best utilize the officials available in their area.

* Our next contributor indicated that our target for recruiting needs to be all of Michigan. We need to teach within each sport and within each association to gain strength. Education will provide the strength that officiating needs to succeed. If we are not committed to teach and educate officials and mentor their progress, we cannot hope to overcome the constant need to replace officials.

* There is a request to follow up on non-registered officials to learn why they elected not to re-register.

* We need to consider consistent use of Mercy Rules in all MHSAA sports.

* It is time to address the financial offerings we make to officials who work MHSAA tournaments. Funding for official's pay has not increased for several years and is necessary. If we expect to retain officials we must compensate them fairly.

* We cannot under estimate the importance of Approved Associations; there is true value. If the association promotes itself and becomes a recognized entity through recognition of athletes and schools there can be a desire on the part of some to join and be a part of the effort.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m.n

APPROVED/SANCTIONED MEETS

MHSAA and National Federation Sanctioning Procedure

The following situations must be approved by the MHSAA before any meet or tournament held:

1. Those events which are sponsored by other than member schools and held within the state.

2. Those events between member schools of Michigan and bordering states (regardless of the number of schools involved) and hosted by a member school. The bordering state association must also grant approval for such event through the MHSAA.

All sanctioned or approved meets are listed below.

(Includes requests received and approved by Nov. 8, 1999, for events to be held in December, January and February)

DECEMBER

11 Detroit Recreation Department - Volleyball Tournament, U of M Dearborn

11 Team Centers Volleyball Invitational (Class B)

18 Team Centers Volleyball Invitational (Class A)

20-21 Holiday Hoops Classic, East Lansing

20 Freshman Volleyball Invitational, Concordia College

21 JV Volleyball Invitational, Concordia College

22 Varsity Volleyball Invitational, Condordia College

30 Team Centers Volleyball Invitational, (Class C-D)

JANUARY

8 Varsity Volleyball Invitational, Team Centers

12 Varsity Volleyball Invitational, Team Centers

FEBRUARY

12 Northern JV Volleyball Invitational Midland

19 "The Wood" Varsity Volleyball Invitational, Midland