EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MEETING
East Lansing, Aug. 12, 1998
Members Present:
Robert Grimes, Battle Creek
Dennis Kniola, Stevensville
Tom Rashid, Detroit
Dan Flynn, Escanaba
Dewayne Jones, Ferndale
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 investigation. 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 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
inter-pretations 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 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.
Summary of 1997-98 Waiver Requests - During the previous academic
year, there were 237 requests of member schools to waive regulations,
of which 67.5 percent were granted by the Executive Committee.
Of the total, 146 requests involved the transfer regulation, of
which 56 percent were granted by the Executive Committee.
Rationale for Transfer Regulation (Regulation I, Section 9) -
Because of the frequency and variety of requests to waive the
transfer regulation, the Executive Committee reviewed and reaffirmed
the rationale for the transfer regulation established by the Executive
Committee on Aug. 6, 1985, and most recently reaffirmed on Aug.
12, 1997.
A. The rule tends to insure equality of competition in that each
school plays students who have been in that school and established
their eligibility in that school.
B. The rule tends to prevent students from "jumping"
from one school to another.
C. The rule prevents the "bumping" of students who have
previously gained eligibility in a school system by persons coming
from outside the school system.
D. The rule tends to prevent interscholastic athletic recruiting.
E. The rule tends to prevent or discourage dominance of one sport
at one school with a successful program, i.e., the concentration
of excellent baseball players at one school to the detriment of
surrounding schools through transfers and to the detriment of
the natural school population and ability mix.
F. The rule tends to create and maintain stability in that age
group, i.e., it promotes team stability and team work expectation
fulfillment.
G. The rule is designed to discourage parents from "school
shopping" for athletic purposes.
H. The rule is consistent with educational philosophy of going
to school for academics first and athletics second.
I. It eliminates family financial status from becoming a factor
on eligibility, thus making a uniform rule for all students across
the state of Michigan (i.e., tuition and millage considerations).
J. It tends to encourage competition between nonpublic and public
schools, rather than discourage that competition.
K. It tends to reduce friction or threat of students changing
schools because of problems they may have created or because of
their misconduct, etc.
Model Transfer Policy - Pursuant to Representative Council
action in May, staff and legal counsel had drafted a brief model
policy for schools to consider when students transfer following
student/athletic code violations. This was discussed by the Executive
Committee, which determined that the draft policy should be distributed
to the Representative Council for its December meeting agenda.
Detroit Urban Lutheran School (Regulation I, Section 1[D])
- Request was made to allow this school to involve 8th-grade
students in its high school interscholastic athletic program.
Last February, the school reported 57 students in grades 9 through
11 and plans to add a 12th grade. It was therefore requested to
estimate its incoming 9th-grade class, to be added to 57 to provide
a four-year enrollment basis comparable to other MHSAA member
schools. The estimate was 20, for a total of 77. Actual enrollment
is 74, which would allow the school to utilize 8th-grade students.
The Executive Committee granted the request for the 1998-99 school
year.
Napoleon, Jackson-Vandercook Lake, Brooklyn Columbia Central
and East Jackson High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E])
- The Executive Committee approved the addition of East Jackson
High School to a cooperative program in girls gymnastics that
has existed since 1996 between Napoleon, Vandercook Lake and Columbia
Central High Schools. Napoleon will serve as the primary school.
Negaunee and Ishpeming High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E])
- The Executive Committee approved a cooperative program in girls
gymnastics between these two schools, whose combined enrollment
will be 863. Negaunee conducted the sport last year and will be
the primary school.
Newberry and Engadine High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E])
- Request was made to waive the August 15 deadline for winter
sports cooperative programs for these high schools which are awaiting
action of their boards of education with respect to the sport
of wrestling.
The Executive Committee granted the request until not later than
Sept. 1, 1998.
Kalamazoo Central, Parchment and Kalamazoo-Comstock High Schools
(Regulation I, Section 1[F]) - The Executive Committee approved
the addition of Comstock High School to a cooperative program
that has existed since 1996 between Parchment and Kalamazoo Central
High Schools in girls and boys swimming and diving. Kalamazoo
Central is the primary school. The combined enrollment will be
2,470.
Negaunee, Ishpeming, Ishpeming-Westwood, Gwinn and Republic-Michigamme
High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[F]) - The Executive
Committee approved a cooperative program in ice hockey between
these five schools, none of which sponsored the sport last year.
Negaunee will be the primary school, and the combined enrollment
of 1,911 will place the school in Class A of the MHSAA Ice Hockey
Tournament.
Powers-North Central High School (Regulation I, Sections 1
& 8) - Request to waive the enrollment and current semester
record regulations was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student
who attends Phoenix Community High School which is a consortium
program of three districts including North Central and Bark River-Harris
where he resides. Phoenix is in the Central time zone and Bark
River-Harris is in the Eastern time zone, so the student is not
able to make practice for Bark River-Harris. He rides North Central
buses to school.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver, allowing
the student to be eligible at North Central High School.
Taylor-Baptist Park Christian High School (Regulation I, Sections
4 & 5) - Request to waive the semesters of enrollment
and competition sections of the regulation was made on behalf
of a student who has completed eight semesters. He attended Lincoln
Park as a 9th-grader in 1994-95, transferred to Baptist Park in
December of 1995 and was placed in the 9th grade, and has progressed
through 11th grade in 1997-98.
The Executive Committee found that the student had received grades
and credits in eight semesters, the maximum afforded any student;
and the request for waiver was denied.
Traverse City West High School (Regulation I, Sections 4 &
5) - Request to waive the semesters of enrollment and competition
sections of Regulation I was made on behalf of a student who attended
9th grade in 1994-95 at Traverse City West Junior High with special
education services; in 1995-96 was a 10th-grader at Traverse City
Senior High without special education services, earning only one
credit; in 1996-97 enrolled in the alternative high school and
then completed his 10th-grade requirements at Traverse City Senior
High; and in 1997-98 was assigned to Traverse City West Senior
High as an 11th- grader, was successful in the alternative education
program and participated for the first time in football. The request
was for eligibility for another semester, the fall of 1998-99.
The Executive Committee found that the student had received grades
and credits in eight semesters, the maximum afforded any student;
and the request for waiver was denied.
Grand Rapids-Ottawa Hills High School (Regulation I, Section
7) - Request to waive the previous semester record regulation
was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student whose academic performance
declined after his father's death in November 1997 and related
events.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Hopkins High School (Regulation I, Sections 7 & 9)
- Request to waive the previous semester and transfer regulations
was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who lived in Minnesota
until the death of his father in 1997 when his family moved to
Wayland. The student returned to Minnesota in the spring of 1998.
When he was told he wouldn't receive any academic credit in Minnesota,
he returned to live in Wayland. He has enrolled at Hopkins High
School, without family change of residence to that district, for
the start of the 1998-99 school year. His last academic credit
is for the first semester of 1997-98.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waivers.
Allegan High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request
to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th
-grade student who has always resided in Allegan and who attended
Holland Christian High School as a 9th-grader in 1997-98. The
student's mother died at the end of 1996. Since last year, her
father's work has relocated from Holland to Kalamazoo and her
older brother graduated from Holland Christian.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Bark River-Harris High School (Regulation I, Section 9)
- The school requested MHSAA approval for continuing eligibility
under Interpretation No. 68 for a student who moved into the district
from Escanaba with his mother and enrolled at Bark River-Harris
High School on March 30, 1998. The student and mother are unable
to remain in a rented residence and are actively seeking another
residence within the district, but the student will remain at
Bark River-Harris regardless of their final location.
The Executive Committee approved the student's eligibility under
Interpretation No. 68.
Belding High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request
to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student
who previously attended East Kentwood High School. He has moved
from his parents' home to his aunt and uncle's residence in an
attempt to disassociate with a negative peer group which allegedly
influenced school absences for a student who had almost perfect
school attendance in previous years.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Calumet High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request
to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th
-grade student who previously attended Howell High School and
has relocated with her family within the Lake Linden-Hubbell school
district.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Canton-Plymouth Canton High School (Regulation I, Section 9)
- Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf
of an 11th-grade student who has transferred from Dearborn-Divine
Child High School for personal and academic reasons.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Charlotte High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request
was made on behalf of two 10th-grade students who previously attended
a local Christian school that provided on an interscholastic level
only basketball for 5th through 9th-grade boys. The request was
that they be allowed to participate at the sub-varsity level at
Charlotte High School during the first semester of the 1998-99
school year. One of the two boys played on the previous school's
basketball team last year.
The Executive Committee granted immediate eligibility at the sub-varsity
level during the first semester of the 1998-99 school year only
for the student who did not participate at all in any interscholastic
sport at the previous school after 8th grade.
Detroit-Loyola High School (Regulation I, Section 9) -
A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf
of an 11th-grade student who attended Detroit-Mumford High School
and Beaubian Middle School as a 9th-grader in 1996-97. He was
court-placed at Maxey Youth Detention Facility and Boysville of
Michigan in Monroe. The student is returning to his parents' home
in Detroit which is 2.5 miles closer to University of Detroit
High than Loyola.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver, noting
that it should not provide waiver to this student who had been
incarcerated when such would not be granted to a student who had
not caused such to occur.
Detroit-Loyola High School (Regulation I, Section 9) -
A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf
of an 11th-grade student who attended Detroit-Frederick Douglass
Academy as a 9th -grader for most of the 1996-97 school year.
He was court-placed at Starr Commonwealth, a residential school-youth
treatment center near Albion. He has returned to his mother's
residence in Detroit, which is about 1.5 miles closer to Benedictine
than Loyola.
Noting again that it would be inappropriate to grant waiver for
students with legal difficulties that are not afforded other students,
the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Ferndale High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request
to waive the transfer regulation to permit immediate eligibility
at the sub-varsity level was requested on behalf of a 10th-grade
student transferring from Birmingham-Eaton Academy where he did
not participate in interscholastic athletics.
The Executive Committee granted the request for eligibility at
the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1998-99
school year.
Holt High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request
was made to waive the transfer regulation to allow immediate eligibility
at the sub-varsity level for a 10th-grade student who previously
attended Lansing Christian High School where he did not participate
in interscholastic athletics.
The Executive Committee granted the request for eligibility at
the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1998-99
school year.
Iron Mountain-North Dickinson High School (Regulation I, Section
9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on
behalf of a 10th-grade student who had attended North Dickinson
schools through 8th grade and Crystal Falls-Forest Park High School
for 9th grade in 1997-98 when he is alleged to have been a victim
of hazing and harassment.
The Executive Committee found insufficient documentation to provide
the basis for waiver, which was denied.
Lake Orion High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late
request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of
an 11th -grade student, who previously attended Auburn Hills-Oakland
Christian High School, so that he might pursue a curriculum more
appropriate for a career in engineering.
Reaffirming its previous position that it cannot be placed in
the position of comparing curricula of member schools, the Executive
Committee denied the request for waiver.
Linden High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request
was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of a 10th
-grade student who was suspended from Linden Middle School in
March of 1997, enrolled at Flint-Powers Catholic High School in
August of 1997, and played JV soccer. He is returning to Linden
High School for 1998-99.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Linden High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request
was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of a 10th
-grade student who attended Linden Middle School through the 8th
grade, during which time his father died. He attended St. Thomas
Academy for 9th grade, participating briefly in interscholastic
basketball. He seeks to play junior varsity soccer.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.
Macomb-Lutheran High School North (Regulation I, Section 9)
- A late request was made to waive the transfer regulation on
behalf of a 12th-grade student who attended Lutheran High School
North through the first semester of 11th grade. Financial difficulties
required a transfer to Warren-Cousino. Proceeds from a grandfather's
life insurance policy have made it possible for the student to
re-enroll at Lutheran High School North, which his sister had
previously attended for four years. Except for last semester,
this student had attended Lutheran schools for his entire education.
Reaffirming its previous position that it will not allow financial
status to affect eligibility decisions, the Executive Committee
denied the request for waiver.
Manistee High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late
request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of
a student who, at Manistee High School's suggestion, attended
Casman Academy during the second semester of the 1997-98 school
year. Casman Academy is a public school academy in the same facility
that Oakridge Alternative School previously occupied. Oakridge
was the alternative education consortium in which Manistee High
School participated through 1996-97. Manistee's students remained
eli-gible at Manistee High School during their attendance at Oakridge
and after their return. Because of the change in status of the
pro-gram to a charter school, the transfer regulation prohibits
the student's immediate eligibility upon his re-enrollment at
Manistee High School.
The Executive Committee determined it was necessary to treat transfers
from charter public schools like transfers from other kinds of
schools, and it denied the request to waive the regulation.
Ottawa Lake-Whiteford High School (Regulation I, Section 9)
- A late request was made to waive the transfer regulation on
behalf of an 11th-grade student whose parents have divorced and
who has relocated to the residence of his paternal grandmother
who is recovering from a stroke. Both parents live in Ohio. The
father played for Whiteford High School's coach.
The Executive Committee saw this as a matter of choice, not hardship,
determined that the rule serves its intended purpose, and denied
the request for waiver.
Paw Paw High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request
to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th
-grade student who attended Paw Paw Middle School for 6th through
8th grades. For 9th grade in 1997-98, he attended Kalamazoo-Hackett
Catholic Central High School where he played JV soccer, basketball
and baseball but experienced difficulties with peers, some of
whom received school discipline because of their actions toward
this student.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.
Pellston High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request
was made to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility
after 90 school days of enrollment for a 10th-grade student who
transferred from Rudyard High School and enrolled March 16, 1998,
at Pellston High School because of school discipline and academic
problems. He will relocate from the residence of his mother to
that of his grandmother.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver effective
with this student's 91st school day of enrollment at Pellston
High School.
Portland High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late
request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of
a 12th-grade student who transferred during the 1997-98 school
year from Holland-West Ottawa High School to Ann Arbor-Huron High
School because of difficulties with the basketball coach at West
Ottawa. She played AAU basketball and softball at Huron High School.
However, an Educational Transfer Form was not completed for this
student's transfer under the divorce exception as she relocated
from her mother to her father's residence. Because of alleged
alcoholism and abuse by her father, the student is returning to
live with her mother whose residence is now in Portland.
The Executive Committee determined that the student may become
eligible at Portland High School on Oct. 5, 1998, or as soon after
as an Educational Transfer Form has been completed. Contests in
which this student participated at her previous school must be
forfeited.
Redford-Detroit Catholic Central High School (Regulation I,
Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was
made on behalf of 10th and 11th-grade students who have returned
with their parents to the Detroit area after ten years in Atlanta.
They have purchased a residence in Farmington, the town in which
they lived previous to Atlanta. The closest nonpublic school is
Redford-St. Agatha. It is asked that the 10th-grader be eligible
immediately at the sub-varsity level in football which he did
not play as a 9th-grader, and that the 11th-grader be eligible
immediately without restriction as to level in cross country in
which he has participated as both a 9th and 10th-grader.
The Executive Committee denied both requests for waiver.
Redford Union High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B])
- Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit immediate
eligibility at the sub-varsity level was made on behalf of a 10th-grade
student who attended Redford-Catholic Central High School in 1997-98
where he did not participate in any interscholastic athletic program.
He attended Redford Union schools through 8th grade.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver to permit
eligibility at the sub-varsity level during the first semester
of the 1998-99 school year.
Regulation II, Section 7(B) - The Executive Committee reviewed
the circumstances of five schools that had been requested to show
cause why they should not be prohibited from MHSAA tournament
participation and 14 other schools whose records have more recently
placed them in the same situation for repeated failures to rate
any officials for several years in several sports where ratings
are required.
With the exception of Detroit-Redford High School, the Executive
Committee instructed staff at this time to avoid assessing penalties
that would prohibit tournament participation when the violations
were exclusively Regulation II, Section 7(B).
The Executive Committee requested that the Representative Council
agenda of December include discussion of the possibility of publishing
in the MHSAA Bulletin the names of schools which fail to rate
any officials at all in a sport for two consecutive years.
Detroit-Central High School (Regulation II, Section 7[B])
- Pursuant to regulation V, Section 4(A), the school was placed
on probation during 1997-98 for failure to rate any officials
in boys basketball and girls volleyball. Then in the winter of
1997-98, the school failed again to rate any officials in girls
volleyball; and the school was advised on May 22, 1998, that probation
would continue through the 1998-99 school year with the stipulation
that the school must show cause by Aug. 1, 1998, why it should
not be prohibited from participation in the MHSAA tournament during
1998-99 in any sport where there is a violation of this regulation
during 1997-98, meaning the school at this time may not participate
in the 1999 MHSAA Girls Volleyball Tournament.
The school's response of July 18, 1998, was that several administrative
changes caused the rating forms not to be issued to or completed
by coaches.
The Executive Committee determined that this response was not
sufficient, but that further action would be subject to the Executive
Committee's action regarding this topic earlier in this meeting
and Representative Council response.
Detroit-Redford High School (Regulation II, Section 7(B)
- Pursuant to Regulation V, Section 4(A), early in 1997, Redford
High School was placed on probation for the 1997-98 school year
for failures to rate any officials for two years in boys basketball
and one year in girls basketball; and when the school failed to
rate any baseball officials later that spring, the school was
contacted in writ-ing that loss of MHSAA tournament participation
privileges might follow future violations. Then, in the fall of
1997, the school failed again to submit any ratings for girls
basketball officials. So on March 31, 1998, the school was placed
on probation for the 1998-99 school year with the stipulation
that it must show cause by Aug. 1, 1998 why it should not be prohibited
from participation in the MHSAA tournament in any sport where
there is a violation of this regulation during 1997-98, meaning
that the school at this time may not participate in the 1998 MHSAA
Girls Basketball Tournament.
The school's response of April 23, 1998, stated the school was
without an athletic director some of the 1997-98 school year,
and it included assurances that Redford High School will be represented
at all future coaches meetings (which is not the regulation at
issue here). The school failed to submit any ratings for girls
volleyball this past winter, suggesting that the problems may
continue. Pursuant to earlier notice by staff, the school was
given notice on May 22, 1998, that it would not be permitted participation
in both the MHSAA Girls Basketball and Volleyball Tournaments
in 1998-99 unless it conveyed a satisfactory response by Aug.
1, 1998.
At its June 10, 1998, meeting, the Executive Committee found the
school's response to be deficient and determined that, as a condition
for participation in the 1998 MHSAA Girls Basketball Tournament,
the school's administration must meet with the Executive Committee
Aug. 12, 1998, to show cause why it should not be prohibited from
tournaments where violations of this regulation continue. The
school failed to attend.
For its multiple violations and failure to meet as requested with
the Executive Committee, the school was directed to attend the
Sept. 10, 1998, Executive Committee Meeting; and meanwhile, the
staff's action prohibiting the school from MHSAA tournament participation
in girls basketball and volleyball will continue to apply.
Saginaw High School (Regulation II, Section 7[B]) - Pursuant
to Regulation V, Section 4(A), Saginaw High School was placed
on probation for the 1996-97 school year for failure to rate any
boys soccer, volleyball, baseball or softball officials during
the 1995-96 school year. The probation was extended to the 1997-98
school year for failure to rate any officials in volleyball, wrestling
and softball during the 1996-97 school year. Then in the fall
of 1997, the school failed to rate any boys soccer officials and
was notified March 31, 1998 that probation would continue for
the 1998-99 school year with the stipulation that the school must
show cause by Aug. 1, 1998 why it should not be prohibited from
participation in the MHSAA tournament in any sport where there
is a violation during 1998-99, meaning that the school at this
time may not participate in the 1998 MHSAA Boys Soccer Tournament.
Subsequently, the school failed to rate any officials in girls
soccer, meaning that the status of girls soccer is the same as
boys soccer for 1998-99.
The school's response was that the boys soccer coach was hospitalized
during the season and that there were three different coaches
for the girls team, which eventually withdrew from the 1998 MHSAA
Girls Soccer Tournament.
The Executive Committee directed staff to reemphasize that the
obligation to rate officials is a duty of the member institution,
not just coaches. However, the Executive Committee accepted the
school's explanation. The school will remain on probation through
the 1998-99 school year, but without loss of tournament participation
privileges, while its compliance record is monitored.
Warren-Mott High School (Regulation II, Section 7[B]) -
Pursuant to Regulation V, Section 4(A), Warren-Mott High School
was placed on probation for 1996-97 for failure to rate any boys
basketball officials for two years and any volleyball and softball
offi-cials during the 1995-96 school year. The probation was extended
through 1997-98 for failure to rate any wrestling officials in
1996-97. Then in the fall of 1997, the school failed to rate any
football officials and was notified March 31, 1998, that probation
would con-tinue for the 1998-99 school year with the stipulation
that the school must show cause by Aug. 1, 1998 why it should
not be prohibited from participation in the MHSAA tournament in
any sport where there is a violation during 1997-98, meaning that
the school at this time may not participate in the 1998 MHSAA
Football Playoffs.
The school's response of July 1, 1998 explained a controversial
change in football coaches for the 1997 season and the reas-signment
of the athletic director by the district to another school during
the end of the football season. Both the volleyball and boys basketball
coaches involved in the earlier violations have been replaced.
The wrestling coach is nonfaculty and may be replaced. A new system
of follow-up will be implemented.
The Executive Committee accepted the school's explanation and
internal action. The school will remain on probation through the
1998-99 school year, but without loss of tournament participation
privileges, while its compliance record is monitored.
Ypsilanti-Lincoln High School (Regulation II, Section 7[B])
- Pursuant to Regulation V, Section 4(A), Lincoln High School
was placed on probation through the 1996-97 school year for failure
to rate any officials in boys basketball, girls volleyball, girls
soccer and girls softball. Probation was extended through 1997-98
for the same violation in football in 1996. In the fall of 1997,
the school failed to rate any boys soccer officials; so on March
31, 1998, probation was extended through the 1998-99 school year
with the stipulation that the school must show cause by Aug. 1,
1998 why it should not be prohibited from participation in the
MHSAA tournament during 1998-99 in any sport where there is a
violation of this regulation during 1997-98, meaning at this time
the school may not participate in the 1998 MHSAA Boys Soccer Tournament.
Subsequently, the school had a violation of Regulation II, Section
8(B) (failure of head coach to attend a rules meeting or pass
the examination) in girls soccer, as well as the failure to rate
any officials in girls soccer.
The Executive Committee found the explanation and action of the
school to be inadequate. However, further action would be subject
to the Executive Committee's action on this topic earlier in this
meeting and the Representative Council's response.
Buchanan and Mendon High Schools (Regulation II, Section 9)
- These schools requested permission to play their first football
game a week early in 1998 (Aug. 28). Buchanan has only seven other
games.
The request for waiver was granted for 1998.
Marenisco School District (Regulation III, Section 1) -
Request was made to waive the enrollment regulation and specifically
Interpretation No. 215 to allow 6th-grade students to participate
on 7th and 8th-grade basketball teams, as has occurred previously
at this school.
The request for waiver was granted for the 1998-99 school year.
New Buffalo Area Schools (Regulation III, Section 1) -
The Board of Education of the New Buffalo Area Schools requested
that the requirement of the MHSAA Constitution that member schools
have at least 15 students be waived for New Buffalo-St. Mary of
the Lake School so that a cooperative program could be formed
between that school and New Buffalo Middle School in some sports.
The Executive Committee determined it did not have authority to
waive a provision of the MHSAA Constitution; so such request was
denied.
White Pine School District (Regulation III, Section 1) -
Request was made to waive the enrollment regulation and specifically
Interpretation No. 215 to allow 6th-grade girls to compete on
the 7th and 8th-grade girls basketball team and to allow 6th-grade
boys to compete on the 7th and 8th-grade boys basketball teams
at White Pine Junior High School (enrollment 30; high school enrollment
is 54).
The request for waiver was granted for the 1998-99 school year.
Taylor-Kennedy High School (Regulation V, Sections 2 &
3) - The school refused to start a girls varsity soccer game
on May 15, 1998, because of the coach's attitude toward the officiating
style of the referee. The school's report of its inquiry includes
that the coach will be relieved of the assignment to coach girls
soccer and his conduct as boys soccer coach will be monitored
by three administrators.
The Executive Committee accepted the school's internal action.
Trimesters - Chesaning, Durand and Ovid-Elsie High Schools
have submitted proposals to allow schools to interpret the wording
of Regulation I, Sections 4, 5 and 7 to be more accommodating
to students in schools with trimesters.
It was noted that the effect of the request would be to change
to a season approach to academic ineligibility for students in
schools with trimesters and to shorten ineligibility from approximately
90 days to just 60 days for such students, thereby moving them
from their current disadvantage under the rules - ineligible for
two trimesters (approximately 120 days) to an advantage
ineligibility for one trimester (60 days) in comparison
to the student at a school with semesters.
The Executive Committee recalled that the Representative Council
was aware of the effect on students enrolled at schools with trimesters
when it clarified the MHSAA Handbook for 1998-99. While the Executive
Committee has authority to interpret Handbook regulations, it
does not have the authority to change them, which would be the
effect of approving this recommendation.
Instead, the Executive Committee will request that the Representative
Council discuss these issues at its meetings in December and/or
March and then in May vote on one or more of these possibilities:
1. No change.
2. Different rules for schools with trimesters than schools with
semesters.
3. A 90 school day period of ineligibility for all students who
are academically ineligible after either a trimester or semester.
River Rouge High School - At its Nov. 19, 1997, meeting,
the Executive Committee reviewed a two-year history of MHSAA Handbook
violations that had placed the school on probation and more recent
allegations and investigations into the eligibility of several
students, most of those of whom are associated with the school's
boys basketball program. The Executive Committee deter-mined that
if the school did not respond completely in advance of its next
meeting to the Executive Director's requests for information,
internal investigation and action, the school would be required
to show cause why its membership privileges, including the current
year's winter and spring MHSAA tournament opportunities, should
not be reduced.
On Dec. 10, 1997, the Executive Committee reviewed a chronology
of concerns and copies of correspondence involving River Rouge
High School since 1995 and the status of transfer students on
the current boys basketball team roster. Because of the number
of transfer students and allegations suggesting that school funds
have been spent in ways that might violate MHSAA regula-tions,
the Executive Committee was under the impression that transfer,
undue influence, amateur and awards rules violations may have
occurred and may continue to occur. The Executive Committee directed
the Executive Director to make additional requests for proofs
and information from River Rouge administration, with responses
to be received not later than January 7, 1998; and the Executive
Committee indicated that failure of the school to comply would
result in further action by the Executive Committee.
On Jan. 14, 1998, the Executive Committee reviewed incomplete
follow-up by River Rouge administration to requests for information
in response to the Executive Committee's concern that transfer,
undue influence, amateur and awards rules violations may have
occurred or may continue to occur. The Executive Director was
requested to require from the school that information and documentation
which would complete the responses to previous inquiries, to seek
answers to several additional questions, and to require those
actions by the school that would remedy violations or the appearance
of violations.
Pursuant to the directive of the Executive Committee the Executive
Director gave the school a Jan. 31, 1998, deadline for compliance
with previous requests and additional information. Receiving no
response, the Executive Director faxed a reminder to the school
on Feb. 5, 1998. Still in receipt of no response, the Executive
Director faxed to the school on Feb. 10, 1998, the decision regarding
two of the most pressing of many issues outstanding between the
River Rouge School District and the MHSAA, namely, the status
of two transfer students. It was the Executive Director's decision
that these two students be prohibited from participating in MHSAA
tournaments during the remainder of the 1997-98 school year or,
in the alternative, until the school district provided to the
MHSAA's satisfaction documentation that the prior residence of
each of these students had been visited and the criteria of Handbook
Interpretation No. 63 had been met.
Later on Feb. 10, the school district faxed copies of reports
dated January 30 and February 2 regarding visitations
to the prior residences of these two students, which were found
by the Executive Director to be satisfactory in content if not
timeliness.
On Feb. 17, the school district faxed more information but not
complete responses to the December requests. Among the information
provided was confirmation that the school district violated MHSAA
regulations to the extent that the River Rouge Alumni/Booster
Association donated $7,200 toward a 1997 trip to Las Vegas for
a basketball tournament that involved nine persons who were or
who later transferred to become River Rouge High School students
and at which the River Rouge High School athletic director and
varsity head boys basketball coach were also in attendance.
The letter also revealed that three River Rouge High School athletic
staff members and eight parents attended a 1996 summer tournament
in Las Vegas, after which one student who participated there transferred
to River Rouge High School.
That letter also included the principal's recommendations to the
superintendent for internal disciplinary action regarding the
athletic director, the varsity head boys basketball coach and
the assistant varsity boys basketball coach.
The Executive Committee reviewed the school's history of non-compliance
with Regulation II, Sections 7 and 8 including 12 violations
in nine sports over two school years which caused the school
to have been placed on probation for the 1996-97 and 1997-98 school
years.
Also reviewed were six students who were recent transfers, five
of whom are participants for the River Rouge boys basketball team,
four of whom transferred from nearby school districts, three of
whom were permitted eligibility immediately, and two who were
permitted eligibility after one semester of enrollment. In spite
of several specific requests by the MHSAA, in two cases this school
district failed to fulfill its responsibility on a timely basis
to assure that the students and their parents had entirely vacated
their previous residences.
The Executive Committee's review identified that while the most
serious allegations are related to the boys basketball program,
the confirmed violations have occurred in many sports and identify
a systemic problem that shall prohibit the school's membership
in the MHSAA for 1998-99, unless, in addition to those actions
proposed in the principal's letter of Feb. 17, 1998, the following
actions occur to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee prior
to receipt of the school's 1998-99 MHSAA Membership Resolution:
(1) The principal, superintendent and board of education secretary
must meet with MHSAA staff before March 2, 1998, regarding the
status of the school in the 1998 MHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament.
(2) The school district allows no further violations of Regulation
II, Sections 7 and 8 in any sport.
(3) The person in charge of interscholastic athletics affirms
in writing that the athletic director and the child accounting
coordinator will no longer be the same person and that no child
accounting personnel or a paraprofessional reporting to that personnel
will have any role in the athletic department or any of its sports
teams.
(4) The person in charge of interscholastic athletics affirms
in writing that no school personnel will be permitted to attend
any basketball events involving high school age or younger persons
in Nevada, New Jersey or Florida in 1998 through July 31, 1999.
(5) The person in charge of interscholastic athletics affirms
in writing that boys basketball coaches at River Rouge High School
will be limited to a total of five days when they may coach more
than three River Rouge School District students in organized competition
during each summer, 1998 and 1999.
(6) The school district contracts for and submits to an independent
audit by a certified public accounting firm regarding all financial
matters relating to interscholastic athletic teams, facilities,
equipment, transportation and personnel for 1996-97 and 1997-98
fiscal years of the school district, and shares the completed
written audit with the MHSAA Executive Committee.
(7) When (1) through (6) above are completed, the person in charge
of interscholastic athletics and the board of education secretary
meet with the MHSAA Executive Committee to show cause why River
Rouge High School has not been in violation of its Membership
Resolution and how it will assure compliance with its Membership
Resolution in the future.
Submitted to the MHSAA in advance of this meeting were the new
principal's letters of July 17 and 28, 1998, detailing the school's
required and additional follow-up.
Meeting with the Executive Committee were the new superintendent,
new middle school/high school principal, the director of curriculum/Federal
programs, the new board of education secretary and the board of
education president.
It was confirmed that the conditions of items 1 through 5 above
had been met. With respect to item 6, the Executive Committee
was presented the professional audit and management letter for
the audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 1997 and the commitment
that the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998 would
be provided as soon as it is completed.
It was confirmed that the previous booster club had been dissolved
and a new one created with appropriate school district over-sight
and accountability. Discussion occurred regarding investigations
by the board of education and police into the operations and records
of the previous booster club.
It was confirmed that the personnel actions outlined by the school
district on Feb. 17, 1998 had been completed or were on schedule.
It was confirmed that no AAU basketball programs had been permitted
to practice or compete at River Rouge School District facilities.
The Executive Committee determined that the school's 1998-99 Membership
Resolution should be accepted, pending receipt of the completed
audit for 1997-98 and written reports of the district's investigations.
The school will remain on probation during 1998-99 with the direction
that the school district continue to monitor and report on those
matters previously requested by the MHSAA.
New School - Pursuant to procedures approved by the Representative
Council in March 1997, the Executive Committee ap-proved the membership
of Detroit Community High School, a public school academy of approximately
150 students in grades 9-12 which intends to sponsor girls volleyball,
girls track and field, girls competitive cheer, boys basketball,
boys baseball and boys track and field.
Tournament Balls - The Executive Committee reviewed a recent
request by a company to provide the tournament ball for the MHSAA
Volleyball Finals for five years commencing with the 1999-2000
school year. The Executive Committee's consensus was to continue
in volleyball to accept a proposal only for one year and only
for supplying the ball for the MHSAA Semifinals and Finals, with
the designation only that the product is the game ball for these
events, not the official ball of the MHSAA.
1998-99 Committees - The Executive Committee approved appointments
for most MHSAA committees for the 1998-99 school year.
Personnel - The Executive Committee reviewed 1998-99 salaries
and the executive director's 1998-99 Standards of Performance.
The committee extended executive director's contract through July
31, 2001.
Legal Defense Fund - The Executive Committee authorized
the use of this designated fund if necessary in matters related
to current litigation.
Next Meeting - The next meeting of the Executive Committee
is Sept. 12, 1998, in East Lansing at 9 a.m.
In response to the recent focus on the use
of food supplements, specifically creatine, the NFHS Sports Medicine
Advisory Committee has issued a position statement on the use
of drugs, medicine and food supplements in interscholastic sports.
Text of the committee's statement follows:
"School personnel and coaches should not dispense any drug,
medication or food supplement except with extreme caution and
in accordance with policies developed in consultation with parents,
health-care professionals and senior administrative personnel
of the school or school district.
"Use of any drug, medication or food supplement in a way
not prescribed by the manufacturer should not be authorized or
encouraged by school personnel and coaches. Even natural substances
in unnatural amounts may have short-term or long-term negative
health effects.
"In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-
athletes, maintain ethical standards and reduce liability risks,
school personnel and coaches should never supply, recommend or
permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely
for performance-enhancing purposes."
Jerry Diehl, assistant director of the NFHS and staff liaison
to the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, said the committee
issued this statement in response to requests from member state
high school associations to address the increased use of food
supplements such as creatine.
The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee is composed of four state
association representatives and six members of the medical community,
and is chaired by Don Herrmann of the Wisconsin Interscholastic
Athletic Association.
Some in the National Federation of State High
School Associations are trying to develop a proposal for a national
summer basketball tournament between all-star teams of all 50
states and the District of Columbia. They color it as a camp program
but call it "Best of State." It would involve over three
weeks in July statewide camps and the selection of teams to participate
in a regional tournament and, if victorious, in a national tournament.
The party line is that this effort will promote the educational
purposes of interscholastic athletics and the good things we do
in school sports, provide a healthier alternative to existing
summer camp and competition experiences for students, and restore
the role of high school coaches in the recruiting process for
intercollegiate athletics.
However, the source of the proposal is an ad hoc marketing committee,
a group whose function has been to study ways to market the National
Federation, make money for the National Federation and promote
the "national presence" of the National Federation.
The Best of State proposal, regardless of the window dressing
of other reasons, will forever be tainted with those commercial
and crass pri-mary objectives.
Moreover, the window dressing will not be accomplished. Best of
State will not eliminate AAU programs, will not reduce NIKE and
Adidas influence on school and college basketball, will not remove
agents, promoters and recruiting abuses, and will not restore
high school coaches to a place of prominence in the recruiting
process.
Only when the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the
National Association of Basketball Coaches change the policies
that caused the problem -- only when they eliminate summer recruiting
and, while they're at it, eliminate freshman eligibility and early
signing -- will that problem be properly addressed and potentially
solved.
The Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan has studied the
problem of summer recruiting abuses and loss of influence of the
school coach in the recruiting process, and BCAM has published
a position paper that concludes with only one recommendation:
BCAM does not want the summer basketball camp and tournament program;
and BCAM proposes elimination of summer recruiting as the only
solution that will really solve the problem.
BCAM is correct. The only solution to summer recruiting abuses
is the elimination of summer recruiting and evaluation periods.
And as long as the National Federation is discussing this Best
of State concept, the NCAA and NABC don't have to get really serious.
They won't have to solve the problem they created.
We doubt the National Federation's Constitution and Bylaws give
the National Federation authority to conduct a summer basketball
tournament; and to do so would cause the National Federation to
violate its founding principles. Many National Federation Hand-book
changes would have to be made.
Many changes in the Michigan High School Athletic Association
would also have to occur. Whole pages of the MHSAA Handbook would
have to be ripped out and thrown away. And after all of these
changes in philosophy and policy, and all the additional staff
time and expense to run these camps and select these all-star
teams, what would we really have?
More exposure for state high school associations and the
National Federation? Yes.
Fewer basketball camps? No, there would be more.
Requests for the same kind of program in other sports?
Absolutely, including most obviously volleyball and soccer.
Less AAU involvement? Unlikely. Less NIKE and Adidas influence?
Unlikely. Fewer agents and promoters? Unlikely.
We seriously doubt the NCAA could adopt a rule which limits summer
recruiting to only the events run by state high school associations
and the National Federation. And if such a rule were adopted,
we are even less sure the NCAA could keep such a rule in the face
of political, legislative and judicial scrutiny. The NCAA will
lose another anti-trust suit, and this time we would be co-conspirators.
These plans should be scuttled, and we should send this message
to the NCAA and NABC: "Solve this problem that you caused,
and only you can fix. Return recruiting to the school year; prohibit
recruiting in the summer."
Of the 700 plus high schools which sponsor basketball in Michigan,
fewer than 70 have anything close to a Division I basketball prospect,
and most of them have only one such prospect. For more than 90
percent of our schools and more than 99 percent of our basketball
players, this initiative is irrelevant and meaningless.
Moreover, a national summer all-star basketball tournament not
only will not promote local, school-year, school-based basketball
programs, it would contradict the essence of programs.
The Best of State is an initiative to promote a national organization
more than local programs. It is not an initiative that alleviates
a significant problem for a significant portion of our constituency.
Summer basketball recruiting abuses is not a problem that affects
the heart and soul of high school basketball across most of Michigan.
In Michigan, as in most of America, the problem the National Federation
is pretending to fix does not exist. This is a problem for a few
elite college-bound basketball players; so the college authorities
ought to fix it. They caused the problem by allowing summer recruiting
and evaluation periods. They can solve the problem by eliminating
those periods.
As for the interscholastic level, the need is for meaning more
than money; for a clear message about our pure, wholesome, local
programs, more than marketing of a national organization.
Best of State is a bad idea . . . one of the worst ideas in the
history of the National Federation, which was formed to halt others
from doing the very sort of thing it's now talking about doing
itself: namely, exploiting students for corporate gain. Educational
athletics are not made more wholesome by conducting under the
label of schools what we oppose under the label of private promoters.
In 1937, Lawrence University President Henry Merritt Wriston said,
"The institution which exploits youth for profit or publicity
betrays its calling; it impairs or destroys its capacity to fulfill
its function."
Addressing college athletics today (including the debasing recruiting
process and the year-round pressures on coaches and athletes),
Drury College Soccer Coach Rick Burns wrote in the June 29, 1998
NCAA News: "We are losing our way. We need to find a way
back from this athletics excess . . . It's unheard of in our society
for someone to say, 'Stop now, that's enough'."
For high school athletics in Michigan, and we think in many other
states, we are still able to say, "Stop now, that's enough."
Reviewing The Regulations
The lines between the school season and non-school
summer programs become less clear in sport after sport, year after
year. It need not be so.
The basic philosophy is that students may do pretty much what
they please outside the high school season, subject to amateur
and awards rules. An individual student-athlete may obtain any
amount of coaching from his or her coach any time, year-around.
The limitations are on coaches more than kids.
1. Outside the school season during the school year, school coaches
are prohibited from providing coaching at any one time to more
than three students of the school district in grades 7-12. This
applies only to the specific sport coached by the coach, but it
applies to all levels and both genders, whether the coach is paid
or volunteer (e.g., a volunteer JV boys soccer coach may not work
with more than three girls in grades 7-12 outside the girls soccer
season during the school year).
2. Outside the school season during the summer when school is
not in session, there are fewer limits.
A. During the summer prior to Monday the week of Aug. 15, coaches
are limited to 15 days when they can coach in competition students
in grades 7-12 of their school district if the teams involve more
than the following number of players:
Soccer - 7; Basketball - 3; Volleyball - 3; Ice Hockey - 3
In football, a maximum of seven players at one time may engage
in organized competition with their school coach present for a
maximum of seven days.
B. In addition, from Aug. 1 to Monday the week of Aug. 15, coaches
of fall season team sports are subject to these player limitations
as they coach students in grades 7-12 of their school district:
Football - 7; Boys Soccer - 7; Girls Basketball - 3
There is to be no competition between school teams with their
school coaches in these sports during this period.
The limitations are also on schools.
At no time out of season may school transportation be used. There
may be no use of school owned and issued warm-ups and/or uniforms.
The school may not allow the out-of-season activity to be mandatory
or to be any part of the basis for selection of the school team.
School operating funds may not be used in any way to support out-of-season
activities; and funds from school-approved activities of booster
clubs, school teams, student groups and community, civic or service
groups may only be used to pay entry fees for individuals on some
basis other than athletic ability or potential (qualification
for federal school lunch program is a solid criterion).
Because kids and coaches have assembled from the same school,
there is a natural tendency at summer camps and in summer leagues
to call teams by their school names, but it must be understood
they are not school-sponsored teams. They can't be. And to assure
there are not misunderstandings about the school's authority and
responsibility (including liability for injuries), the following
should occur:
School administration should not allow camp and league
organizers to use the school designations. "Lansing"
would be okay, it's a town; but not "Lansing Everett"
or "Lansing Catholic Central" which are the names of
schools.
School administration should not allow summer teams to
wear apparel which in any way identifies the school: not the nickname,
mascot or colors.
School administrators should not allow school public address
announcements, school newspaper coverage or school yearbook coverage
to any non-school sports activity or accomplishment that is not
typical of promotion given to non-athletic non-school activities
of students.
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.
BASEBALL
I. 4-3-1 Note 1 -- A regulation called game where a winner cannot
be determined, shall be counted as half game won and half lost
for each team. (MHSAA allowed requires league adoption)
II. 4-3-1 Note 2 -- A game called for any reason where a winner
cannot be determined, or any game called at anytime for mechanical
failure (i.e. artificial lights, water system, etc.) will be treated
as a suspended game. If the game is to be completed, it will be
continued from the point of suspension, with the lineup and batting
order of each team the same as the lineup and batting order at
the moment of suspension, subject to the rules of the game. (Reg.
II, Sec. 11(H)2 NOTE: Use of option 1 or 3 may impact the season
56 game/date limit allowed baseball and softball by MHSAA Regulation
II, Section 11(A).)
SUGGESTED SPEED-UP RULES
III. Courtesy Runners
A. At any time the team at bat may use courtesy runners for the
pitcher and/or the catcher. The same runner may not be used for
both positions. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher will be required
to leave the game under such circumstances.
B. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity
are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
C. A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or
the catcher and then be used as a substitute for another player
in that half inning.
IV. 4-2-4 - The four options listed are the only permitted game-shortening
procedures allowed for baseball and softball games at the varsity
and sub-varsity levels. (Schools, leagues or invitational tournament
management shall determine which are to be utilized with prior
mutual written consent):
A. Require games to be terminated when there is a 15-run difference
after three innings or a 10-run difference after five innings
B. Allow a team to discontinue play any time it trails by more
than 15 runs
C. Establish shortened games of five or six innings
D. Establish a time limit to terminate games of regular season
varsity tournament events and any sub-varsity game (one hour,
45 minutes recommended).
FOOTBALL
I. Pregame coin toss may be held on the field twenty minutes prior
to kickoff.
II. The running clock, 35-point margin mercy rule will be used
for all football games, playoffs and regular season, varsity and
sub-varsity, high school and junior high/middle schools.
III. By mutual agreement of competing schools or by league adoption
schools may establish, for regular season varsity games only,
the 10-yard line overtime procedure published in the National
Federation Football Rules Book. The procedure will be used in
all playoff games.
IV. Junior high/middle school football teams may schedule games
with non-school teams as is currently allowed in all other sports.
The Regulation does not apply to senior high school teams.
GIRLS COMPETITIVE CHEER
No props or music are allowed during competition.
GYMNASTICS
Requirements for Regular Season Meets
I. Dual Meets
A. Exhibition gymnasts are prohibited.
B. There can be no more than six competitors per team event when
two judges are contracted.
C. There can be no more than seven competitors per team per event
when four judges are contracted simultaneously.
II. Tri Meets
A. Exhibition gymnasts are prohibited.
B. There can be no more than five competitors per team per event
when two judges are contracted.
C. There can be no more than seven competitors per team per event
when four judges are contracted and two events are conducted simultaneously.
ICE HOCKEY
I. Mercy Rule
By mutual agreement, games may be terminated after two periods
or during the third period when a team leads the opposing team
by 10 or more goals. The 10-goal mercy rule will be used during
the MHSAA Tournament at the Regional level only.
II. Overtime Procedure
In MHSAA tournaments only, the overtime procedure published in
the National Federation Rule Book (6-38) will be altered to allow
additional "sudden death" eight-minute periods as necessary.
SOCCER
The MHSAA has received approval to:
I. Allow leagues and individual schools to use the three-whistle
officiating system.
II. Require players to sit out 10 minutes for a yellow card offense.
III. Use two 15-minute sudden victory overtime periods for regular
and tournament season games.
IV. Allow players to wear soft and yielding caps during inclement
weather. Caps must be alike in color.
EXCEPTION (1): The goalkeeper may wear a head protector made of
closed-cell, slow recovery rubber or other similar material that
stays soft in its final form. This head protector shall not have
a bill, or other protruding design. It shall not cover the face,
other than the forehead, and shall be secured by a chinstrap.
EXCEPTION (2): The goalkeeper may wear a soft-billed baseball
type hat or soft-billed visor. If worn in conjunction with a head
protector, it is to be worn outside and may not be attached to
the head protector.
EXCEPTION (3): By state association adoption, players may wear
soft and yielding caps during inclement weather. Caps must be
alike in color.
V. Require officials to use signals published prior to 1995-96.
SOFTBALL
I. 1-1-5 Note 1 -- All players on a team shall wear uniforms consisting
of shirts, shorts and/or pants. (MHSAA adopted)
II. 10-4-2 Note -- Light gray slacks may be worn. (MHSAA adopted)
III. Courtesy Runner Rules:
A. The team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or
the catcher as soon as they reach base. The same runner may not
be used for both positions. Neither the pitcher nor the catcher
will be required to leave the game under such circumstances.
B. Players who have participated in the game in any other capacity
are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
C. A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or
the catcher and then be used as a substitute for another player
in that half inning.
D. The courtesy runner is not permitted to run as a courtesy runner
for the Designated Hitter (DH), if the DH is batting for the pitcher
or catcher.
E. Once a courtesy runner is designated for that half inning,
no other courtesy runner for the catcher or pitcher may return
to run for original courtesy runner.
EXCEPTION: Should an injury occur, another courtesy runner or
the pitcher or catcher may run until she scores or is put out.
IV. 4-2-3 - The four options listed are the only permitted game-shortening
procedures allowed for baseball and softball games at the varsity
and sub-varsity levels. (Schools, leagues or invitational tournament
management shall determine which are to be utilized with prior
mutual written consent):
1. Require games to be terminated when there is a 15-run difference
after three innings or a 10-run difference after five innings;
2. Allow a team to discontinue play any time it trails by more
than 15 runs;
3. Establish shortened games of five or six innings;
4. Establish a time limit to terminate games of regular season
varsity tournament events and any sub-varsity game (one hour,
45 minutes recommended).
SWIMMING
I. MHSAA recommends 5 ft. of water when using starting platforms
and mandates at all MHSAA venues.
II. Definition for in-water starts
III. Step-Up starts will be used.
TENNIS - USTA
I. Schools may use no-ad scoring or play pro-sets or shorten the
rest period between a split set.
II. Cumulative Point Penalty System between regional and final
III. For unsportsmanlike conduct after a match is completed (Regional
or Final), the player is defaulted for the rest of the tournament
and one point is subtracted from the team total.
IV. Minimum uniform requirement is an unaltered shirt with sleeves,
preferably in school colors or with school identification. (Exception:
females may wear a sleeveless dress/shirt if it is tailored to
be sleeveless. Team shorts/skirts are required and should be the
same color. Penalty: Match will not start unless the individual/team
has uniform on. Point Penalty system for lateness will be used.
TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY
I. The only head attire that may be worn during competition will
be a knit stocking cap, sweat band or ski band; all must be unadorned,
single-colored cloth.
II. Except for traditional wedding bands and medical alert necklaces
or bracelets, jewelry is prohibited in all competition. This will
include, but is not limited to pierced earrings, barrettes made
of hard plastic, leather, cloth, metal and plastic bracelets.
Elasticized ponytail holders having metal parts are legal. Ponytail
holders must be a single color. Multiple ponytail holders must
be the same color. Watches will not be worn in any competition.
III. Ribbons worn to secure the hair must be a solid color. If
multiple ribbons are worn they must be the same color.
IV. Interpretations for Track & Field and Cross Country:
Sunglasses may be worn in competition only if they are
prescription glasses.
Competitors may not wear temporary body adornment (painted
or fastened) during competition.
VOLLEYBALL
I. Rally scoring may be used during invitational tournaments or
in the deciding game of a 3 out of 5 match.
II. Teams may play best of five-game match.
III. The third game of a match may be played even though one team
wins the first two.
IV. Pool play during invitational tournaments may use any of the
following:
1. Rally scoring
2. 15 pt. games
3. 11 pt. games
WRESTLING
I. Assistant referee allowed
II. 215 pound weight classification adopted
III. MHSAA tournament weigh-in procedures may be used
IV. Growth allowance of two pounds on January 15
All Sports Film/Videotape Policy
Representative Council action of May 1998 eliminated the prohibition
of third-party videotaping (scouting) without permission of competing
teams in all MHSAA-sponsored sports including intersquad scrimmages,
regular season and MHSAA tournament contest.
It is to be understood that videotape scouting does not include
press box or preferred seating status without prior consent of
the host school.
Schools may deny videotaping of intrasquad scrimmages only.
BASEBALL
PLAYER EQUIPMENT
UNIFORMS of all team members should be of the same color and style.
Caps and shoes are required equipment (no track spikes allowed).
When a player is required to wear a head protector, it replaces
the cap as mandatory equipment. For individual players, uniform
sleeve lengths may vary. However, sleeves of each individual player
shall be approximately the same length and shall not be ragged,
frayed nor slit. If the pitcher's undershirt sleeves are exposed,
they shall not be white nor gray. A uniform shall not have any
dangerous or reflective buttons or ornaments. Each player shall
be numbered on the back of his shirt with a plain number of solid
color contrasting with color of shirt. The number shall be at
least 8" high and no players on the same team shall wear
identical numbers. A number may have a border of not more than
one-quarter inch in width. One American flag 2" x 3"
may be worn on each item of uniform apparel. The school's official
uniform (including uniform pants, jersey, visible undergarments,
socks, stockings, caps and headwear) may bear only a single manufacturer's
logo (partial or whole) or trademark that does not exceed 1 1/2"
x 1 1/2" square.
It is mandatory for each on-deck batter, batter, runner, retired
runners, players/students in the coaches boxes as well as non-adult
bat/ball shaggers to wear a batting helmet that meets the NOCSAE
standard. The batting helmet shall have extended ear flaps that
cover both ears and temples and also display the NOCSAE stamp
and the exterior warning statement. The warning statement may
be affixed to the helmet in sticker form, or it may be embossed
at the time of manufacture. A face mask may be attached to a batting
helmet at the time of manufacture. A face mask specifically designed
for a particular helmet model may be attached after manufacture,
provided that procedure is approved by the manufacturer. When
an umpire observes anyone who is required to wear a batting helmet
deliberately remove his batting helmet while in live ball territory
and the ball is alive (non-adult ball/bat shaggers required to
wear batting helmet in live ball area even if ball is dead), the
umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the involved team,
unless the ball becomes dead without being touched by a fielder
or, after being touched, goes directly to dead ball area. A subsequent
violation of the rule shall result in ejection.
EXCEPTION: A violation by a non-adult bat/ball shagger shall result
in a warning to the coach of the team and the individual. A subsequent
violation may result in the individual not being allowed on the
field. The catcher shall wear, in addition to a head protector,
a mask, body protector, protective cup and baseball protective
shin guards. A throat protector, which is either a part of, or
attached to, the catcher's mask, is mandatory. A throat protector
shall adequately cover the throat. Any player warming up a pitcher
at any location shall wear a protective cup and a mask with a
throat protector. Failure by a player to wear proper equipment
after being so ordered by the umpire, shall result in ejection.
If the pitcher wears a head protector, its entire outer cover
shall have a nonglare surface. A pitcher shall not wear any item
on his hands, wrists or arms which may be distracting to the batter.
I. All casts, splints and braces must be padded.
No protective equipment shall have exposed metal or any other
hard material. Prostheses may be worn.
NOTE: Any equipment judged by the umpire to be potentially dangerous
is illegal. Jewelry is prohibited (See 3-3-1c). Medical alert
bracelets or necklaces are not considered jewelry. If worn, they
must be taped to the body so as to remain visible.
II. Prior to the start of the game, the head coach shall be responsible
for verifying to the umpire-in-chief that all his players are
equipped in compliance with the above rules. Any questions regarding
legality of a player's equipment shall be resolved by the umpire-in-chief.
III. Non-traditional playing equipment must be reviewed by the
National Federation Baseball Rules Committee before it will be
permitted.
BASKETBALL
PLAYER EQUIPMENT
I. Team shirts, and undershirts if worn, shall be of the same
solid color front and back. Undershirts shall be similar in color
to the shirt and shall not have frayed or ragged edges. If the
undershirt has sleeves, they shall be the same length.
The American flag may be worn on the shirt provided it does not
exceed 2" x 3" and does not interfere with the visibility
of the player's number.
Decorations such as mascots, stars, commemorative, memorial, or
recognition patches or insignias and logos are not permitted on
the undershirt.
II. Change in limitations of team shirts: (Jerseys manufactured
for the 2000-01 season and beyond shall meet these additional
requirements).
The number shall be centered vertically and horizontally.
Torso of shirt shall be a single, solid color from the
base of the neck to the bottom of the shirt.
No restrictions in the area of the shirt from the base
of the neckline to the shoulder seam. If a back panel is used,
it must be of the same size and color as the corresponding front
area.
Team/player names or abbreviations shall not be placed
within 1 inch of the top or bottom of the number.
Any form of decorative emphasis (e.g., paw, halo, crown,
star) on an identifying name or abbreviation is only permitted
if the name or abbreviation is located above the number.
If a tail is used in the lettering of an identifying name
or abbreviation, the name or abbreviation must be located below
the number.
Side inserts, including trim, of no more than 4 inches
(2 inches on each side of seam), centered vertically below the
armpit are permitted.
Side panels for all shirts must be the same width.
Any type of commemorative/memorial patch may not be worn
on a team shirt.
If names or abbreviations are used above or below the number,
the decorative emphasis must be above the name or abbreviation
in the upper position or below the name or abbreviation in the
lower position.
Logo/trademark shall not exceed 2 1/4 square inches nor
exceed 2 1/4 inches in any dimension.
III. Each player shall be numbered on the front and back of the
shirt with plain Arabic numbers.
A. The following numbers are legal: 0, 3, 4, 5, 00, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40,
41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55.
NOTE: Beginning in 2000, a team squad list shall not have numbers
0 and 00.
B. The number shall be at least 6" high on the back and at
least 4" high on the front and not less than 3/4" in
width excluding the border(s).
C. No more than three colors may be used. The style of the number
must be clearly visible and conform to one of the following:
1. A solid contrasting color with no more than two solid color
1/4" borders. If the shirt color is used as a border it must
be counted as one of the allowed colors.
2. The shirt color itself when bordered with no more than two
1/4" solid border(s) contrasting with the shirt color.
3. A solid contrasting color with a "shadow" trim of
a contrasting color on part of the number not to exceed 1/2 inch
in width.
D. The number(s) on the front and back of the shirt shall be the
same color and style. This requirement becomes effective with
shirts worn beginning with the 1997-98 season.
Ques. (1) -- If contesting teams have uniforms of the same color,
what shall be done?
Ans. -- If possible, each team should have two sets of uniforms,
one of light color and the other dark. The light color is for
home games. The team, which violates this policy, should change.
If there is doubt, the officials should request the home team
to change; on a neutral floor the officials decide.
Ques. (2) -- What is the penalty for wearing an illegal number
or a shirt with diagonal on tailed lettering? Ans. -- The penalty
is a technical foul for each designated starter and for each substitute
who enters the game, and the infraction is discovered before the
ball becomes alive. Each illegal shirt infraction may be penalized
only one time.
IV. A player's shirt designed to be worn inside the pants shall
be tucked inside the pants and the pants shall be above the hips
and worn properly. A player not conforming to this uniform policy
shall be directed to leave the game.
V. The referee shall not permit any player to wear equipment which,
in his or her judgment, is dangerous or confusing to other players
or is not appropriate. Examples of illegal items are, but not
limited to:
A. A guard, cast or brace made of hard and unyielding leather,
plaster, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance
even though covered with soft padding when worn on
the elbow, hand, finger, wrist or forearm. NOTE: Each state association
may authorize the use of artificial limbs which in its opinion
are no more dangerous to players than the corresponding human
limb and do not place an opponent at a disadvantage.
B. Head decorations, headwear and jewelry
EXCEPTION (1): State associations may be an individual basis allow
a player to participate while wearing a head covering if it meets
the following criteria: (MHSAA Adoption)
1. For medical or cosmetic reasons -- In the event a participant
is required by a licensed medical physician to cover his or her
head with a covering or wrap, the physician's statement is required
before the state association can approve a covering or wrap which
is not abrasive, hard, or dangerous to any other player and which
is attached in such a way it is highly unlikely that it will come
off during play.
2. For religious reasons -- In the event there is documented evidence
provided to the state association that a participant might not
expose his or her
uncovered head, the state association may approve a covering or
wrap which is not abrasive, hard, or dangerous to any other player
and which is attached in such a way it is highly unlikely it will
come off during play.
EXCEPTION (2): A headband no wider than 2" and made of nonabrasive
unadorned single-colored cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather or
rubber may be worn. Rubber/cloth (elastic) bands may be used to
control hair.
C. Equipment which is unnatural and designed to increase a player's
height or reach or to gain an advantage
D. An illegal undershirt
E. An undergarment or tights which extend below the pants
EXCEPTION: Compression shorts may be worn if the length is above
the knee and they are of a single color similar to the predominant
color of the pants.
VI. One visible manufacturer's logo/trade name is permitted on
the pants, compression shorts, socks, sweatbands and headband
and shall be limited to 1 1/2 inch x 1 1/2 inch square on each
item. No visible manufacturer's logo-trade name is permitted on
the shirt or undershirt.
VII. Players will not be allowed to participate while wearing
illegal apparel other than shirts and pants. Wearing illegal pants
by a player is penalized with a technical foul.
VIII. The referee shall not permit any player to participate if
in his or her judgment, items such as a player's fingernails or
hairstyle may constitute a safety concern.
COMPETITIVE CHEER
PLAYER EQUIPMENT
Uniforms shall be identical and matching and shall consist of:
Tops Sweaters or warm-up jackets or button down vests or
T-shirts or vest/shell
Bottoms Skirts with briefs, or pants, or jumper with briefs,
or shorts
Footwear shall consist of appropriate athletic-type shoes (no
hard soles) of the same color. Socks/hose/footies are required
and must be matching in color. Each team member must wear the
same style sock; knee-high, calf length, ankle or footie.
Allowable Optional Accessories
Turtle necks, body suits, leotards, nylons/panty hose, suspenders
Hair Hair shoulder length or longer must be tied back and
secured for safety reasons.
Hair Control/Adornment Devices must be secure in hair and
must be made of soft material. If hair items are worn, they must
be matching in color amongst team members.
Manufacturers logo shall not be more than 2 1/4 square inches
with no dimension exceeding 2 1/4 inches.
JEWELRY AND SAFETY PINS ARE PROHIBITED PATCHES, SPIRIT BUTTONS
OR CHEVRONS ON UNIFORMS ARE PROHIBITED
FOOTBALL
PLAYER EQUIPMENT
I. Mandatory equipment. Each player shall wear the following pieces
of equipment which shall be professionally manufactured and not
altered to decrease protection:
A. A face mask which met the NOCSAE test standard at the time
of manufacture The multiple bar type is recommended. The face
mask shall be made of material designed to be nonbreakable with
rounded edges, and those constructed of metal shall have the surface
covered with resilient material designed to prevent chipping,
burrs or abrasiveness which would endanger players.
B. A helmet which met the NOCSAE test standard at the time of
manufacture and has a
visible exterior warning label regarding the risk of injury The
helmet shall be secured by a properly fastened chinstrap.
C. Hip pads with tailbone protector.
D. A jersey with clearly visible Arabic block or Gothic numbers
1-99 inclusive on the front and back.
NOTE: Beginning with the 1999 season, the jersey shall be long
enough to reach the top of the pants and shall be tucked in if
longer.
1. The numbers shall be at least 10" and 8" high in
back and front respectively, and with bars or strokes about 1
1/2" wide.
2. The color and style of the number shall be the same on the
front and back.
3. The body of the number shall be either a color(s) contrasting
with the jersey color, or the same solid color(s) as the jersey
with a minimum of one border that is at least 1/4 inch in width
of a solid contrasting color.
4. Jerseys of the opposing teams must be of contrasting colors.
The home team shall wear its dark color and the visiting team
shall wear its light color. The visiting team is responsible for
avoidance of similarity of colors, but if there is doubt, the
referee may require the home team to change.
E. Knee pads worn over the knee and under the pants and at least
1/2" thick or 3/8" thick if made of an approved shock-absorbing
material.
F. Pants which cover the knees and knee pads.
G. Shoes shall be made of a material which covers the foot (canvas,
leather, or synthetic) attached to a firm sole of leather, rubber,
or composition material which may have cleats or which may be
cleatless. Among the items which do not meet these requirements
are gymnastic slippers, tennis shoes cut so protection is reduced,
ski and logger boots and other apparel not intended for football
use:
1. Removable cleats must conform to the following specifications:
a. Constructed of a material which does not chip or develop a
cutting edge. Legal material includes leather, nylon, certain
plastics and rubber. Cleats may be tipped with leaded steel such
as C12, L14 or B113L or steel equivalent to SAE 1070 hardened
and drawn to Rockwell C scale 42-45; the use of aluminum or ceramics
is not permissible.
b. The base and the tip of the cleat must be parallel. The free
end may be rounded in an arc with a radius of not less than 7/16
inch provided the overall length is not more than 1/2 inch measured
from the tip of the cleat to the shoe. The cleat may be attached
to a raised platform which is molded to the shoe. The platform
may be no more than 5/32 inch in height and must be wider than
the base of the cleat. The widest part of the cleat must be in
direct contact with the platform. The 5/32 inch raised platform
must be wider than the base of the cleat and must extend across
the width of the sole to within 1/4" or less of the outer
edges of the sole. A single toe cleat does not require a raised
platform that extends across the width of the sole The raised
platform of the toe cleat is limited to 5/32" or less. The
5/32" platform is measured from the lowest part of the shoes
sole.
c. An effective locking device which prevents the exposure of
metal posts must be incorporated.
d. The cleat wall must be at least 3/16" in diameter.
e. The sides of the cleat shall taper uniformly from a minimum
base of 3/4" in diameter to a minimum tip of 3/8" in
diameter.
2. Nonremovable cleats are limited to studs or projections which
do not exceed 1/2" in length and which are made with nonabrasive
rubber or rubber-type synthetic material which does not have and
will not develop a cutting edge.
H. Shoulder pads fully covered by a jersey.
I. Thigh guards which must have any hard surface covered with
material such as closed-cell vinyl foam which has a minimum compression
resistance of four to eight pounds for 25 percent compression
or other material with equivalent specifications and is at least
1/4" thick on the outside surface and at least 3/8"
thick on the inside surface and the overlap of the edge. Shinguards,
if worn, must meet these specifications.
J. A tooth and mouth protector (intraoral) which includes an occlusal
(protecting and separating the biting surfaces) and a labial (protecting
the lips) portion and covers all upper teeth It is recommended
the protector be:
1. Constructed from a model made from an impression of the individual's
teeth.
2. Constructed and fitted to the individual by impressing his
teeth into the tooth and mouth protector itself.
II. Legal if approved by the umpire. The following auxiliary equipment
may be worn if sanctioned by the umpire as being soft, nonabrasive,
nonhardening material:
A. Forearm pads, hand pads or gloves which may be anchored on
each end with athletic tape.
B. Tape, bandage, or support wrap on the hand or forearm to protect
an existing injury.
EXCEPTION: Tape, bandage, or support wrap not to exceed three
thicknesses, and sweatbands, when worn on the wrist beginning
at the base of the thumb and extending no more than inches toward
the elbow, are legal without inspection or approval.
C. Gloves, even though modified, must have a securely attached
label or stamp (NF/NCCA Specifications) indicating voluntary compliance
with test specifications on the file with the Sporting Goods Manufacturer's
Association as of Jan. 1, 1994, unless made of unaltered plain
cloth.
NOTE: A glove is a covering for the hand having separate sections
for each finger and thumb completely covering each finger and
thumb.
D. Each state association may authorize the use of artificial
limbs which in its opinion are no more dangerous to players than
the corresponding human limb and do not place an opponent at a
disadvantage MHSAA allows the use of artificial limbs.
III. Illegal equipment No player shall be permitted to play while
wearing illegal equipment. This applies to any equipment, which
in the opinion of the umpire is dangerous, confusing, or which
is inappropriate. Illegal equipment shall always include but is
not limited to:
A. Ball-colored helmets, jerseys, patches, pads or gloves, penalty-flag
colored pads or
gloves. Any transverse stripe on the sleeve below the elbow.
B. Computers or any other electronic or mechanical devices for
communication
NOTE 1: By state association adoption a team totally composed
of deaf or partially deaf players, may use a drum to establish
a rhythmic cadence following the ready-for-play signal.
NOTE 2: Each state association may authorize the use of a hearing
instrument to enhance the efficiency of a required hearing aid
p prescribed by a licensed medical physician, provided it is not
dangerous to the wearer or any other player.
C. Hard substance in its final form such as leather, rubber, plastic,
plaster or fiberglass
when worn on the hand, wrist, forearm or elbow unless covered
on all exterior surfaces with no less than 1/2" thick, high-density,
closed-cell polyurethane, or an alternate material of the same
minimum thickness and similar physical properties to protect an
injury as directed in writing by a licensed medical physician.
D. Knee braces made of hard unyielding material, unless hinges
are covered on both sides and all edges overlap and the brace
is worn under the pants. Unless covering is provided by the manufacturer,
any portion of the brace made of hard material and extending below
the pants must be covered. Any other hard substance across the
front of the leg must be covered with at least 1/2" of closed-cell
slow-recovery rubber or other material of the same minimum thickness
and having similar physical properties.
E. Metal which is projecting or other hard substance on clothes
or person.
F. Plastic material covering protective pads whose edges are not
rounded with a radius equal to 1/2 the thickness of the plastic.
G. Rib pads and back protectors unless fully covered by a jersey.
H. Slippery or sticky substance of a foreign nature on equipment
or exposed part of the body
I. Tear-away jerseys or jerseys that have been altered in any
manner which produces a knot-like protrusion or creates a tear-away
jersey.
J. Uniform adornments other than one white towel without markings
K. Jerseys and pants manufactured after January 1, 1996 that have:
1. More than one manufacturer's logo/trade name on the outside
of each item (jersey and pants) whether visible or not.
2. A visible logo/trade name exceeding 2 1/4" square and
exceeding 2 1/4" in any dimension (jersey and pants).
3. Sizing, garment care or other non-logo labels on the outside
of either item (jersey and pants).
NOTE: The American flag may be worn on the uniform provided it
does not exceed 2" x 3" and does not interfere with
the visibility of the jersey number.
L. Jewelry
M. Eye shields that are non-rigid, non-molded and have less than
100% allowable light transmission.
IV. Prior to the start of the game, the head coach shall be responsible
for verifying to the referee and umpire that all of his players
are equipped in compliance with these rules. Any questions regarding
legality of a player's equipment shall be resolved by the umpire.
V. When any required player equipment is missing or when illegal
equipment is found, correction shall be made before participation.
An official's time-out shall be declared to permit prompt repair
of equipment which becomes illegal or defective through use.
VI. Each player shall properly wear the mandatory equipment while
the ball is alive.
GOLF
MHSAA Tournament Series Dress Code
Proper golf attire including a golf shirt will be required at
all MHSAA tournament series matches. Bermuda shorts are permitted.
Short-shorts, cut-offs, jeans and tank tops are NOT permitted.
GYMNASTICS
COMPETITOR UNIFORMS
I. The proper uniform shall be a one-piece leotard of moderate
proportions with matching colored briefs/undergarments. Sports
bras shall not be exposed.
II. Only gymnastics footwear of a neutral color may be worn.
III. Jewelry shall not be worn in competition except for a religious
or medical medal which must be taped to the body.
IV. Hair devices which are safe and reasonably secured may be
worn to keep the hair away from the gymnast's eyes and face.
V. Casts on any body parts are prohibited.
NOTE: Cast-braces/braces are permitted provided any hard parts
are covered to protect the gymnast and the equipment.
ICE HOCKEY
PLAYER EQUIPMENT
I. Skates. Skates shall be worn by all players and shall be free
from points or dangerous extensions. It shall be considered dangerous
if the blade extends more than three- quarters of an inch (1.91cm)
beyond the shoe at either toe or heel. The ends of the skates
(both toe and heel) shall be rounded and blunt (covered with replaceable
tips if necessary) so that there are no points which might cause
injury.
Sticks. Sticks shall be made of wood, wood and aluminum or covered
by a non-metal protective covering. Sticks shall not be more than
63 inches (160 cm) long and the blade shall not be more than 12
1/2 inches in length and no more than 3 inches nor at the tip
less than 2 inches high. The curvature shall not exceed 1/2 inch
toe to heel.
II. Goalkeeper's Equipment
1. Required equipment for goalkeepers shall include gloves, skates,
stick, protective
face mask, throat guard, leg pads and helmet which protect the
entire crown, front, temple and back of the head. A dental guard
is required. Throat guards must be commercially manufactured,
unaltered and properly attached to the helmet, "face mask
or neck.
2. The goalkeeper shall not wear or use any garment or equipment
which would provide undue assistance. Webbing or aprons, extending
more than 3" (7.62cm) below the
crotch are not permitted. The goalkeeper's leg pads shall not
be wider than 12"
(30.48cm) each.
3. Protective padding attached to the back or forming a part of
goalkeeper's gloves shall not exceed 9" (22.86cm) in width
at any point, nor shall it exceed 17" (43.18) in
length
4. If a team challenges the opposing team's goalkeeper equipment,
and the equipment is found to be legal, the challenging team shall
be penalized.
5. The widened portion of the goalkeepers stick extending up the
shaft shall not extend more than 26 inches from the heel and shall
not exceed more than 3 1/2 inches in width. The length of the
blade shall not exceed 15 1/2 inches.
III. Protective Equipment
1. Recommended equipment includes: shin pads, thigh pads, hip
pads, protective cup, elbow pads, shoulder pads, and throat/neck
protector, shin, elbow, shoulder, thigh and hip pads must be worn
under outer clothing. Each player is personally responsible to
wear protective equipment for all games.
2. Required equipment for players, other than goalkeepers, shall
include an ice hockey helmet with chin straps securely fastened
to the head, gloves, skates, stick, full face mask and dental
guard.
3. Required equipment shall be worn by all players and goalkeepers
on the ice during warm-ups before the game, between periods and
during each period. No team personnel shall be permitted on the
ice for warm-up or play who is not wearing the required equipment
specified in this section or who is wearing anything which is
liable to cause injury to self or other players.
4. All players, including goalkeepers, shall wear a dental guard,
which should cover all the remaining teeth of one jaw. Dental
guards shall not be altered from original manufacturer specifications,
except with the prescription of a medical authority. It is required
that dental guards be attached to the facemask. Dental guards
must be made of colored, non-clear material.
5. All players, including goalkeepers, shall wear facemasks, which
meet HECC/ASTM standards at the time of manufacture It is recommended
that all players, including Goalkeepers shall wear helmets, which
meet current HECC/ASTM standards at the time of manufacture (required
for 1995-96). Face masks and helmets shall not be altered from
original manufacturer specifications. Helmets must include ear
guards.
NOTE: When a new HECC/ASTM standard is established, players will
have a three-year grace period to purchase helmets and face masks
which comply with the new standard.
6. A glove from which all or part of the palm has been removed
or cut to permit the use of the bare hand shall be considered
illegal equipment.
7. A player whose helmet has been dislodged must skate immediately
to his team bench where he can be replaced by a substitute.
8. All players are required to wear helmets while in the players'
or penalty box.
IV. Dangerous Equipment
1. Casts and splints made of hard and/unyielding material are
legal if properly padded and physical certified.
2. Artificial limbs which, in the judgment of the rules administering
officials (state association office), are no more dangerous to
contestants than the corresponding human limb and do not place
an opponent in disadvantage, may be permitted.
3. Jewelry shall not be worn, except for religious or medical
medals which shall be taped to the body under the uniform so as
to remain visible.
V. All members of a team shall wear identical uniforms relative
to color of helmets (excluding goalkeepers), jerseys, socks, pants,
and length of pants. It is required that the visiting team wears
dark colored uniforms.
One manufacturer's logo/trademark (2 1/4" square maximum
and not exceeding 2 1/4" in any dimension) and one American
flag (2" [5.08cm] x 3" [7.62cm] maximum) may be worn
on each item of uniform apparel.
SOCCER
I. UNIFORMS
A. Jerseys and stockings of opposing teams shall be of contrasting
colors and, in the event of a similarity of color, the home team
shall be responsible for making the necessary change. The home
team shall wear white or light jerseys and stockings, and the
visiting team shall wear dark jerseys and stockings. Both stockings
shall be the same color, but not necessarily the color of the
jerseys. If visible apparel is worn under the jersey, it shall
be of a similar length all alike and of a solid color. If visible
apparel is worn under the shorts, it shall be of a similar length,
all alike and of a solid color the same basic color of the uniform
shorts. One manufacturer's logo/trademark not exceeding 1 1/2"
x 1 1/2" square and one American flag not exceeding 2"
x 3" is permitted on each item of uniform apparel.
B. Except for the uniform of the goalkeeper, jerseys, shorts and
stockings of teammates shall be of the same color, design and
pattern.
1. All jerseys, except those worn by goalkeepers, shall be numbered
on the back with a different Arabic or Gothic number at least
6" (0.15m) in height and on the front (jersey or shorts)
with the same number which shall be at least 4" (0.10m) in
height. Numbers shall be of contrasting color to the jersey (or
shorts) and clearly visible.
2. The jersey of the goalkeeper shall be distinctly different
from that of any official, teammate or opponent, except the other
goalkeeper. The shorts and stockings of the goalkeeper are not
required to be the same color as his/her teammates.
C. Shoes shall meet the following standards:
1. Be constructed of a material which does not chip or develop
a cutting edge:
2. All cleats, studs or bars shall be not less than 1/2"
(1.27 cm) in diameter or width, and they shall not project from
the sole or heel of the shoe more than 3/4" (1.9 cm). Aluminum,
leather, rubber, nylon or plastic cleats with steel tips are legal
if they conform to the width and length specifications.
EXCEPTION: A molded sole with multiple cleats, studs or bars less
than 1/2"
(1.27 cm) in diameter or width that do not extend more than 1/2"
(1.27 cm) from the sole and are not of an extreme conical design
is permissible.
II. ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT
Illegal equipment shall not be worn by any player. This applies
to any equipment which, in the opinion of the referee, is dangerous
or confusing. Types of equipment which are illegal include the
following:
A. Projecting metal or other hard plates, or projections on clothing
or person; medical medals shall be taped on the body;
B. Head, arm, thigh or hip pads containing sole leather, fiber,
metal or any unyielding materials, even if they are covered with
soft padding;
C. Casts, splints or body braces made of a hard substance in its
final form such as leather, rubber, plastic, plaster or fiberglass
unless covered on all exterior surfaces with no less than 1/2
inch thick, high-density, closed-cell polyurethane, or an alternate
material of the same minimum thickness and similar physical properties
to protect an injury. A medical release for the injured player
signed by a licensed medical physician shall be available at the
game site. Body or torso braces/casts made of unyielding materials
are illegal.
D. Shin guards which have exposed sharp edges;
E. Face or spectacle guards;
F. Helmets, hats, caps, or visors:
NOTE: Michigan has adopted this exception allowing players to
wear soft and unyielding caps during inclement weather. The following
criteria must be met: (a) the cap can only be a ski cap type,
(b) the cap must be solid color, (c) any design, pom pon or other
ornamentation is prohibited, (d) any number of players on a team
who wear caps must have the same color, (e) it cannot be secured
by tying it under the chin.
EXCEPTION (1): The goalkeeper may wear a head protector made of
closed-cell, slow-recovery rubber or other similar material that
stays soft in its final form. This head protector shall not have
a bill, or other protruding design. It shall not cover the face,
other than the forehead, and shall be secured by a chin strap.
EXCEPTION (2): The goalkeeper may wear a soft-billed baseball
type hat or soft-billed visor. If worn in conjunction with a head
protector, it is to be worn outside and may not be attached to
the head protector.
EXCEPTION (3): By state association adoption, players may wear
soft and yielding caps during inclement weather. Caps must be
alike in color;
G. Knee braces made of hard unyielding material, unless hinges
are covered on all sides, and all of its edges are overlapped;
any other hard substance shall be covered with at least 1/2"
of closed-cell slow-recovery rubber or other material of the same
minimum thickness and having similar physical properties;
H. Ankle braces, unless covered by a stocking or other suitable
material.
SOFTBALL
Uniforms of all team members should be of the same color and style.
The school's official uniform (including uniform jersey, pants,
shorts, visible undergarments, socks, stockings, caps and head
wear excluding head bands) may bear only a single manufacturer's
logo (partial or whole) or trademark that does not exceed 1 1/2"
x 1 1/2" square. One American flag (2" x 3" maximum)
may be worn on each item of uniform apparel. Caps, visors and
headbands may not be mixed. If worn, they must be the same. Plastic
visors are prohibited. If worn, a headband must be one piece,
unadorned and a single solid color. For individual players, uniform
sleeve lengths may vary. However, sleeves of each individual player
shall be approximately the same length and shall not be ragged,
frayed or slit. Exposed undergarments, if worn, are considered
part of the official uniform. Exposed upper body undergarments,
such as undershirts, do not have to be the same color as exposed
undergarments worn on the lower body. However, all exposed upper
body undergarments shall be the same color. All exposed lower
body undergarments shall be similar in color to the predominant
color of the uniform shorts. A pitcher's exposed upper body undergarments
may be white or gray if she is the only team member wearing the
same color. A uniform shall not have any dangerous or reflective
buttons or ornaments. A pitcher shall not wear any item on the
pitching hand, wrist, arm or thighs which may be distracting to
the batter. Each player shall be numbered on the back of the shirt
with a plain number of solid color contrasting with color of shirt.
The numbers may have a contrasting color border, which shall not
exceed 1/4". No players on the same team shall wear identical
numbers. It is recommended that uniform numbers be at least 6"
high. Beginning in 1996, all uniform numbers shall be at least
6" high.
NOTE 1: By state association adoption, all players on a team shall
wear uniforms consisting of shirts, shorts, and/or pants.
NOTE 2: By state association adoption, any number of players on
a team may be required to wear appropriate headwear.
I. A batting helmet bearing the NOCSAE stamp and exterior warning
label is mandatory for each batter, on-deck batter, players/students
in the coaches boxes, runners, retired runners and non-adult bat/ball
shaggers while in live ball area. The batting helmet shall have
extended ear flaps which cover both ears and temples. Batting
helmets that are broken, cracked, dented, or that have been illegally
altered are prohibited from use. A commercially manufactured face
mask may be attached to a batting helmet, provided it is attached
by the manufacturer; or a face mask may be attached to a helmet
that does not have a face mask, provided the attachment procedure
is approved by the manufacturer. If a pitcher wears a batting
helmet, its outer covering shall have a non-glare surface.
NOTE: The exterior warning label may be affixed to the helmet
in either sticker form or embossed (at the point of manufacture)
and must be clearly visible.
II. The catcher shall wear a head protector, a protective mask
with throat protector that is part of or attached to the mask.
A throat protector that is part of the mask shall extend far enough
to adequately protect the properly attached, unaltered and worn
properly. A catcher also shall wear a body protector, baseball/softball
protective shin guards, and the male catcher or player warming
up a pitcher shall wear a protective cup. In (F.P.), any non-adult
warming up a pitcher at any location within the confines of the
field shall wear a mask and throat protector.
III. Shoes are required equipment. Shoe sole or heel projections
other than the standard shoe plate are prohibited. Metal cleats
and metal toe plates are prohibited.
IV. Players in the game are prohibited from wearing jewelry such
as rings, watches, earrings, bracelets, necklaces (including cloth
or string types), barrettes or other cosmetic or decorative items
judged by the umpire to be unsafe. Medical alert bracelets or
necklaces are not considered jewelry. If worn, they must be taped
to the body, so as to remain visible. All casts, splints, and
braces must be padded. Prostheses may be worn. Any equipment judged
by the umpire to be potentially dangerous is illegal.
V. Prior to the start of the game, the head coach shall be responsible
for verifying to the umpire-in-chief that all his/her players
are equipped and in compliance with all National Federation rules.
VI. Non-traditional playing equipment must be reviewed by the
National Federation Softball Rules Committee before it will be
permitted.
SWIMMING & DIVING
UNIFORMS
I. It is recommended all swimmers and divers on the team wear
suits of identical coloring and pattern. A competitor shall not
be permitted to participate wearing a suit that is not of decent
appearance. Boys shall wear trunks which cover the buttocks. Girls
shall wear suits which cover the buttocks and breasts.
Competitors shall not be permitted to compete in attire which
includes advertising or a name other than the name of the competitor,
school or mascot (except a national flag no more than 2"
x 3" in size). A single partial/whole manufacturer's logo
or trademark no more than 2 1/4 square inches, with no dimension
exceeding 2 1/4 inches square in size is permitted on each piece
of attire.
II. Competitors shall not wear or use any device to aid their
speed or buoyancy. Goggles are permitted and a foreign substance
may be applied to the body. The referee shall require a competitor
using an excessive amount of a foreign substance to remove it
before competing.
III. A competitor with a disability may use equipment provided,
in the judgment of the state association, no advantage is gained.
The written approval from the state association must be made available
to the referee.
TENNIS
Although USTA does not address uniform requirements, MHSAA adoptions
include the following:
The minimum requirement for a team uniform is an unaltered shirt
with sleeves, preferably in school colors or with school identification.
Each individual must wear such shirt throughout the match. If
a player changes shirts, he/she must have another tennis team
shirt.
Exception: Females may wear a sleeveless top if it is tailored
by the manufacturer to be sleeveless.
Compression shorts may be worn under the shirt/shorts, but no
boxer shorts, cut-off leotards, etc. are allowed.
Team shorts/shirts are required. They should all be the same color
and an appropriate style for tennis.
PENALTY: If a student-athlete does not have the school team uniform
on, the USTA point penalty system for lateness will be used. (After
15 minutes, the player will be defaulted.)
TRACK & FIELD & CROSS COUNTRY
UNIFORMS
I. The complete track and field uniform consists of shoes, school-issued
shorts and full-length jersey. Any visible apparel worn under
the jersey and shorts must be of a single (same solid) color.
Undergarments visible under the jersey need not be the same color
as undergarments visible under the shorts. The jersey and shorts
may have school identification. Also, a single manufacturer's
logo or trademark, not to exceed 2 1/4" square is permissible
per each item of uniform apparel. The American Flag may be worn
on the uniform and shall not exceed 2" x 3". The looser
fitting boxer-type shorts are an approved short for boys and girls,
while the closed-leg briefs are also acceptable for girls competition.
Shorts may vary in length and style, but must be of the same color
for all team members. Bicycle shorts, thigh huggers, abbreviated
thigh huggers, leotards, body suits, abbreviated briefs (French
or high cut) and similar apparel may be worn under the track shorts,
but not in lieu of them.
II. The waistband of a competitor's shorts shall be worn above
the hips.
III. A shoe is a covering for the foot. It must have an upper
and definitely recognizable sole and heel. The upper must be designed
so that is can be fastened securely to the foot by laces and/or
velcro. Track spikes may not exceed 1/2" in length measured
from the sole to the tip of the spike. The use of slippers or
socks does not meet the requirements of the rule. Meet management
shall determine approved footwear in the javelin event.
Note: Unless deemed unsuitable by meet management, track spikes,
up to a maximum of 1" in length, may be used in cross country
competition.
IV. A competitor must be in the complete track uniform and displaying
his/her assigned contestant number, when numbers are used.
V. In relay races (and cross country competition) each team member
shall wear the same color and design school uniform (jersey and
trunks). When other apparel is worn under the school uniform,
it shall be of the same color for all teammates choosing to wear
them.
VI. A competitor who competes with an illegal uniform shall be
disqualified from that event.
ADOPTIONS AFFECTING COMPETITORS IN TRACK AND FIELD AND CROSS COUNTRY
1. The only head attire that may be worn during competition will
be a knit stocking cap, sweat band or ski band; all must be unadorned,
single-colored cloth.
2. Except for traditional wedding bands and medical alert necklaces
or bracelets, jewelry is prohibited in all competition. This will
include, but is not limited to pierced earrings, barrettes made
of hard plastic, leather, cloth, metal and plastic bracelets.
Elasticized ponytail holders that have metal parts are legal.
Ponytail holders must be a single color. Multiple ponytail holders
must be the same color.
Watches will not be worn in any competition.
3. Ribbons worn to secure the hair may be of any solid color.
4. Interpretations for Track and Field and Cross Country:
Sunglasses may be worn in competition only if they are
prescription glasses.
Competitors may not wear temporary body adornment (painted
or fastened) during competition.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
LEGAL UNIFORM
I. All players on a team shall wear like-colored uniforms consisting
of shirts and shorts, pants or skirts, in one or two pieces.
II. Each player shall be identified by a number on the uniform
top which is not a duplicate of a teammate's number.
III. The number shall be:
A. Permanent and clearly visible:
B. Not more than two digits;
C. A plain, Arabic numeral of a solid color contrasting with the
color of the surrounding colors and not less than 3/4" in
width;
D. Located on the upper front and back of the uniform top;
E. At least 4" high on the front of the top and at least
6" high on the back of the top;
F. Placed so the top of the number on the front of the uniform
shall be no more than 5" down from the shoulder seam.
The number may have a contrasting border outside the required
height not to exceed 1/4". It is recommended that a 2"
number be placed on each sleeve near the shoulder seam.
IV. If a visible number is worn on the uniform bottom, it shall
be the same number as on the uniform top.
V. Appropriate playing shoes shall be worn.
VI. If undergarments such as t-shirts, body suits, sports bras,
etc. are worn in such a manner that they are exposed, they shall
be of a single color similar to the predominant color of the uniform
top.
VII. Players shall not wear undergarments or tights which extend
below the uniform bottom.
EXCEPTION: Compression shorts which are unadorned and of a single
color similar to the predominant color of the uniform bottom.
VIII. A single partial/whole manufacturer's logo/trademark (no
more than 2 1/4 square inches with no dimension more than 21/4
inches) and/or one American flag (no more than 2" x 3"
in size) is permitted on each piece of the uniform provided placement
does not interfere with the visibility of the number.
PENALTY FOR ILLEGAL UNIFORM:
1. When a player wearing an illegal uniform attempts to enter
the game, unnecessary delay shall be assessed. The player shall
not enter the game until the illegal uniform is replaced or made
legal.
2. When a player wearing an illegal uniform is discovered in the
game, unnecessary delay shall be assessed the team. If the team
has a time-out remaining, the player may remain in the game provided
the illegal uniform is replaced or made legal during the time-out
period. If the team has no time-out remaining, a point or side-out
shall be awarded the opponent. The player shall be removed unless
the illegal uniform is replaced or made legal immediately.
3. For subsequent violations by the same team during the match,
a point or sideout shall be awarded the opponent. The player shall
be removed unless the illegal uniform is replaced or made legal
immediately.
4. When a team cannot begin the match with six players wearing
legal uniforms, a point or sideout shall be awarded the opponent
of the beginning of the match, and the state association shall
be notified.
WRESTLING
PLAYER EQUIPMENT
I. Wrestler shall wear (a) a sleeveless shirt fastened down at
the crotch and cut no lower in the back or front than the level
of the armpits and under the arms no lower than one half the distance
between the armpit and the belt line; (b) either full-length tights
with stirrups and close fitting outside short trunks or a properly
cut one-piece uniform with a minimum 4" inseam and a maximum
length of above the knee; (c) legal uniform now includes, (is
allowed) full length singlet and wrestling uniform with female
cut. If no tights are worn, a suitable undergarment shall be worn.
The uniform shall be a school issued uniform.
While full-length tights are acceptable under a one-piece uniform,
Bermuda-length tights and other accessories that extend beyond
the inseam of a one-piece uniform are not permitted.
NOTE: The rules do not allow a contestant to wear anything under
the shirt, except when there is good and sufficient reason as
determined by the referee. (The MHSAA allows snug fitting T-shirts
or leotards in a color similar to the uniform predominate color.)
II. Any manufacturer's logo/trademark that appears on the wrestling
uniform can be no more than 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" square
in size and may appear no more than once on each item of uniform
apparel. Effective immediately it is permissible for the American
flag to appear on the uniform with a maximum size of 2" by
3".
III. Wrestler shall wear light heelless wrestling shoes, reaching
above the ankles and laced above the ankles by means of eyelets.
IV. Wrestlers shall wear protective headgear which provides (a)
adequate ear protection (b) no injury hazard to the opponent,
and (c) an adjustable locking device to prevent it from coming
off or turning on the wrestler's head. (The MHSAA expects the
headgear to be in a condition which is undamaged and unmodified.)
Click here viol.PDF
1. Entry materials will be mailed to all schools
which have indicated they sponsor swimming and diving. Materials
will be sent Oct. 20, 1998. The entry deadline is 3:00 p.m., Tuesday,
November 17.
2. The entry material to the Finals manager may be faxed as long
as the forms are typed. The only information that should be faxed
is the entry form and eligibility list. All material must be mailed
to the Final manager to be received by Wednesday p.m.
3. Starting time for both Swimming Preliminaries and Finals is
12 noon.
4. Overnight accommodations are the responsibility of the participating
individuals/schools.
5. Regional diving is Tuesday, November 17, 1998. Final Meets
are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 & 21, 1998.
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200 IND. MEDLEY |
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100 BUTTERFLY |
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200 FREE RELAY |
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Region | Class | Host School | City |
1 | A | Pioneer | Ann Arbor |
2 | A | Grand Blanc | Grand Blanc |
3 | A | Creston | Grand Rapids |
4 | B | Tower | Warren Woods |
5 | B | Plainwell | Plainwell |
Class | Site | City |
A | Eastern Michigan University (Jones Natatorium) | Ypsilanti |
B | Huron High School | Ann Arbor |
Entry materials for U.P. Tennis Schools will
be sent the first week of September and the L.P. Tennis materials
will be sent the second week of September. Entry deadlines are:
September 25-U.P. and October 2-L.P.
The regional manager will contact schools assigned to their region
and advise them of the date and location of the seeding meeting.
Coaches should make every attempt to attend and participate at
the seeding meeting. The entry materials that are required by
said deadline include the eligibility list, team line-up and player
information sheets. The player information sheets must be complete,
accurate and legible. Note: Once an entry is received by the manager,
the line-up is set. Changes cannot be made but substitutions are
allowed within the body of rules. For additional information on
tennis refer to the Tennis Coaches Manual and the Tennis General
Information Bulletin.
1. Uniform. Shirt and short/skirts or a tennis
dress are required. The minimum requirement for a team shirt is
an unaltered shirt with sleeves, preferably in school colors or
with school identification. Each individual must wear such shirts
throughout the match. If a player changes shirts, he/she must
have another tennis team shirt to wear. (Females may wear sleeveless
tops if tailored by the manufacturer to be sleeveless. Tank tops
are not allowed). Players shall not wear undergarments or tights
which extend below the skirt/short. (Exception: Compression shorts
which are unadorned and of a single color). Team shorts/skirts
are required The team short/skirt should be the same color for
all individuals and an appropriate style for tennis.
Penalty: Match shall not start unless individual or doubles team
has a team uniform on. The USTA Point Penalty System for lateness
will be used. (More than 15 minutes and the match is defaulted).
2. FORMAT. This is the first year of the New Division Format.
All participating schools were placed in four nearly-equal divisions
(Division I is made up of schools with the largest enrollment
through Division IV which has the smallest enrollment). Each division
will have eight regionals and two teams will qualify from each
regional with the additional qualifier option still intact.
3. PLACEMENT OF PLAYERS. The best player on the team must play
number one singles. The remaining players whom are designated
as singles players must be in ranked order, i.e. No. 2 better
than No. 3, No. 3 better than No. 4. The doubles team must be
ranked according to the ability of the two players as a team,
not as individuals. The best doubles team must play No. 1 doubles,
the next best must play No. 2, etc.
4. The Tennis Coaches Manual as well as the USTA Friend at Court
(1998) are the rules publications to be used at all high school
matches.
By Representative Council action, modified
scoring may be used in scoring any cross country event held during
the regular season. Modified scoring will provide a team score
to all schools entered no matter how many runners a team has
entered. It is a very simple procedure that gives a "blind
score" to any team that has less than the number of runners
required to post a team score. A simple illustration would be in a meet scoring the top five runners when Team A has only three runners (places 2-9-26) in a 45 person meet, it would be awarded the following points 2-9-26-46-47. When Team B has only two runners, the final three places would be 46-47-48. The reason for relaxing the regulation is that cross country is the only "individual" sport that is required to have a certain number of participants to earn a team total. Wrestlers, swimmers and track athletes can all compete in a meet individually and still post a team score if they place. Blind scoring would also eliminate the need to disregard the places of all runners who were not part of a complete team. By using "blind scoring" all schools entered would post a team score to no re-ranking at completion would be required. The MHSAA will permit modified scoring during the regular season and with prior notification by multi-team event host, league or conference agreement, or mutual agreement between dual event opponents. |
1. L.P. ENTRY
BLANK The official entry for CROSS COUNTRY REGIONALS
WILL INCLUDE THE ENTRY BLANK and MASTER ELIGIBILITY LIST which
must be in the hands of the L.P. Regional Manager NOT LATER THAN
4 P.M., WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21, 1998. LATE ENTRIES REQUIRE A $50 LATE
FEE.
U.P. ENTRY BLANK Due date 4 p.m. Friday, October
9, 1998.
2. ALPHABETICALLY LIST List individuals on the Entry
Blank in order of best performance.
3. Individuals or teams shall be accompanied to the event
by the coach, administrator or appointee of the school in order
to participate in an MHSAA event. NOTE: If your school is not
planning to enter the Regional Run, please notify the Manager
of the Run as soon as possible.
4. NUMBER OF COMPETITORS FROM EACH SCHOOL A school
may compete with a maximum of seven entries and a minimum of one
entry. At least five individuals must finish in order to be considered
a complete team. Only complete teams will be scored. Individuals
on the Eligibility List may be used as substitutes for TEAM entries.
There are no substitutes for those entered in the individual run
in the Finals.
5. NOTE: The Final Meet Manager of each class shall establish
and distribute the protocol and schedule for previewing the Final
Meet course if it is to be allowed by the meet management.
6. UNIFORMS FOR CROSS COUNTRY Each team member shall
wear the same color and design school uniform (jersey and trunks).
When other apparel is worn under the jersey or the trunks, by
more than one team member, that apparel must be the same solid
color. Although members of teams must comply with this rule, boys
teams and girls teams, from the same school, are not required
to be attired alike. This rule applies equally to team and individual
runs. All team members need not wear undergarments if one team
member elects to do so. A company logo may be no larger than 2
1/4 x 2 1/4 square. The only head attire that may
be worn during competition will be knit stocking caps (watch caps),
a sweat band not more than two inches wide, or a ski band, all
must be unadorned, single-colored cloth. If more than one team
member wears either a ski band or knit stocking cap or sweat band
they do not have to be the same solid color.
OTHER INTERPRETATIONS:
Sunglasses may be worn in competitions only if they are
prescription glasses.
Competitors may not wear temporary body adornment (painted
or fastened) during competition.
7. JEWELRY Except for traditional wedding bands
and Medical Alert necklaces or bracelets, jewelry is prohibited
in all competition. This will include, but is not limited to pierced
earrings, barrettes made of hard plastic, leather, cloth and plastic
bracelets. Elasticized ponytail holders having metal parts are
legal. Ponytail holders must be a single color. Multiple ponytail
holders must be the same color. (Watches may not be worn during
competition.)
8. STARTING TIME AND ORDER OF COMPETITION FOR REGIONAL AND
FINAL CROSS COUNTRY RUNS:
A. Girls Regional and Final Cross Country Runs are to be conducted
first during even numbered years. Boys Regional and Final Cross
Country Runs are to be conducted first during odd numbered years.
(1998 - Girls Run First)
B. At L.P. Regional and U.P. Final Runs, the first run will start
at 11:00 a.m. (except for LP Regionals 2 and 5). Where there are
two different classes, the smallest class will compete first and
will be followed by the same sex of the larger class. Example:
(Section 1 will precede Section 2, or Girls Class C Run, Girls
Class B Run; Boys Class C Run, Boys Class B Run)
C. In the L.P. Finals, the team individual runs will be combined
(Girls Class C Team Run combined with Girls Class C Individual
Run; Boys Class C Team Run combined with Boys Class C Individual
Run.
D. Proposed Schedule Included with regional entry materials.
9. COMPETITOR NUMBERS Each competitor shall be provided
a number by the Meet Manager. The Cross Country Committee requires
that the number be worn. Placement of the number on the back or
front of the contestants jersey will be at the discretion
of the meet manager.
10. SCORING AND TIES At Regionals and Finals
See Rule 9, Section 2 of the 1998 National Federation Track and
Field Rule Book Reminder: All contestants are expected to run
through the final line and maintain their position in the chute
until released. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
NOTE: Ties will be scored according to Rule 9, Section 2 of the
National Federation Track and Field Rules Book.
11. LENGTH OF COURSE The length of the course at
Regional and Final Runs will be 5000 Meters.
12. EXPENSES OF COMPETING TEAMS Schools will defray
their own expenses both at Regional and Final Runs.
13. SUPERVISION OF TEAMS Coaches and/or other school
officials are responsible for the supervision of team members
at the Cross Country Runs. Help retain the good will of the persons
managing the runs, as well as schools, park departments and golf
courses or country clubs. Use proper receptacles for used tape,
bandages and other debris.
14. COACHES RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Checking-in at the Final Run The coach from each competing
school (teams or individuals) will check in with the Final Manager
immediately upon arrival at the Final Run site.
B. Coaches are to inform their contestants that radios, tape players,
stereo boxes, or similar appliances will not be allowed at MHSAA
Cross Country Meet sties.
15. ASSIGNMENT OF SCHOOLS TO REGIONALS (L.P.) Teams
have been assigned to Regional sites using the following criteria:
A. Approximately the same number of schools at each Regional site.
B. Each site will require reasonable travel. Efforts were made
so schools would not cross paths in traveling to the Regional
site.
C. When two or more Regionals of the same class are held at the
same site with a difference of five or more teams, a drawing shall
be conducted on the first school day after the entry due date
to determine which teams will compete in each Regional.
15b. ASSIGNMENT OF SCHOOLS (U.P.) A Final Run will
be conducted in Classes A-B, C and D boys and girls in Classes
A-B, C and D. An entry blank is being sent to all Upper Peninsula
schools which indicated sponsorship of Cross Country on their
classification information cards.
16. TEAM QUALIFICATION FROM REGIONAL RUNS TO THE FINAL RUN
(L.P.)
A. Coaches of qualifiers: obtain information packets regarding
Final Runs from Regional Managers.
B. Five runners must finish a Regional Run for a school if that
school is to qualify a team to the Final Run.
C. Three teams will qualify from The Regional to the Final Run.
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TEAMS QUALIFYING FROM A REGIONAL CANNOT
EXCEED FOUR. (Determined as indicated below.)
D. The maximum number of runners to represent a qualifying team
at the Final Meet is seven.
E. Five teams will qualify from each boys and girls Class D Regional
to the Final Run.
F. If a school finishes fourth in the Regional Meet and has four
or more runners who qualified for the Final Meet as individuals,
that team must be listed as the fourth school qualifying a full
team.
G. Qualifications of an additional team may result in an adjustment
to the list of individuals qualifying to the Final Meet as outlined
in 18A.
17. ADMISSIONS There will be a $2 admission at Regional
sites and $4 at Final sites (including parking at Finals only).
A. Each team entered at the Regional or qualified for the Final
Meet shall be allowed admission for 12 team members in uniform.
B. Schools qualifying individuals to the Final Meet will be provided
admissions for those qualifiers only.
C. Each team represented at the Regional or Final Meet will be
provided admissions for three other persons including the coach,
a manager or other support personnel.
NOTE: Animals (dogs, cats, etc.) on leashes or not, will NOT be
permitted at MHSAA Regional or Final sites.
18. INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS FROM REGIONAL RUNS TO THE FINAL
RUN (L.P.):
A. The first ten (10) finishers who are not members of a qualifying
team will qualify to the Final Run as individuals.
B. Any of the first twenty (20) finishers who have not already
qualified as indicated above, also qualify.
19. REPORTS OF QUALIFIERS The Regional Meet Manager
will forward the names of qualifying teams and individuals and
their Eligibility List to the Final Meet Manager. Changes on the
list of contestants for the Finals, must be made to the Regional
Manager immediately after the Regional Run. If changes are not
made by the coach, the names on the Regional Entry Blank will
be submitted to the Final Manager.
20. AWARDS (L.P.) It is recommended that the awards
are to be presented following the conclusion of the fourth or
last race and in the same order the races were run.
Regionals 1 trophy -- First Place
7 team medals --First Place Team
15 medals -- First fifteen (15) individuals in each class/section
Finals 1 trophy -- First Place
1 trophy -- Second Place
7 medals -- First-Place Team
30 medals -- Top 30 Finishers
20b. AWARDS (U.P.) Winner and runner-up schools
in each class at the Final Run will receive trophies provided
three or more schools compete in a class. Medals will be awarded
to the first fifteen (15) individuals in each class at the Final
Run. There also will be seven (7) medals awarded to members of
the winner and runner-up schools in each class.
BY REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL ACTION, ONLY MHSAA APPROVED AWARDS MAY
BE PRESENTED.
21. GAMES COMMITTEE A Games Committee of five is
to serve at all Regional and Final Meets and is to be comprised
of the Meet Manager, and four coaches two representing boys teams,
two representing girls teams. This committee shall serve in an
advisory capacity to the referee.
All Regional and Final Cross Country Run Managers are to invite
three area coaches to review the course layout prior to printing
the map of the course and prior to competition. These three coaches
are to meet, if possible, and review the course as a group. The
names of these individuals are to be listed in the Regional information
which is distributed to competing schools.
22. IT IS THE OPINION OF THE CROSS COUNTRY COMMITTEE THAT THE
CROSS COUNTRY GENERAL INFORMATION BULLETIN SHOULD
BE USED TO SET UP DUAL AND INVITATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RUNS EACH
REGULAR SEASON.
23. MINIMUM CROSS COUNTRY MEET STANDARDS IT IS RECOMMENDED
THAT ALL CROSS COUNTRY RUNS OBSERVE THESE STANDARDS.
A. Review pages 57-62 of the 1998 National Federation Track and
Field Rule Book. NOTE: The chute is to be at least 150 feet long.
B. The awards ceremony should be staged in an elevated area so
that it may be witnessed by spectators.
C. Team scores should be posted in large figures and elevated
so they are easily visible.
D. A map of the 5000-meter course shall be distributed to all
competing schools on or before the day of competition.
E. A visible curved starting line will be used where advisable.
Space should be sufficient so that five runners from each team
may be on the front line. Recommend each box be eight (8) feet
wide. A 10-yard spectator restraining line should be in place.
F. An equal number of teams are to be assigned, by draw, to positions
on either side of the center of the course at the starting line.
G. Rope off the area around the chute to prevent spectators from
interfering with chute personnel and contestants.
H. When possible, all runs shall go around natural or man-made
barriers on level ground. Course markers, such as flag poles,
should extend approximately six feet above ground level and be
constructed of a rigid and non-flexible material.
I. There shall be no sharp turns.
J. There shall be no turns within 400 meters of the finish line.
K. There must be an above ground finish line to mark the termination
of the race.
L. Markers shall be used to designate the 1600 meter and 3200
meter points on the course.
M. Instructions for all runs are to be given ten minutes before
the start of each run. Use of a bull horn or P.A. system is advisable.
Runners are to remain in sweatsuits for these instructions. Immediately
following the conclusion of the instructions, each runner will
remove sweatsuits and report to assigned position on the starting
line.
N. Courses need to be marked extensively and clearly with signs
and flags, supplemented with a painted or chalked line. Where
possible, the course is to be double marked by lines and flags.
Flag designations: a red flag indicates a turn to the left, a
yellow flag indicates a turn to the right and a blue flag indicates
a course straight ahead. Flags marking the course are required.
O. Competing schools are encouraged to notify the MHSAA, in writing,
of all improperly marked courses.
24. TOURNAMENT MANAGEMENT EXPENSES The MHSAA will
reimburse host schools for the cost of administering the run.
Parking fees are permitted only when attendants are necessary
to control parking. The fee charged should be for the purpose
of covering costs of the parking attendants. Cost for parking
shall not exceed $2.00.
25. PRESS Adequate arrangements should be made to
take care of working or other press representatives at the Meets.
26. PUBLICITY It is suggested that Tournament Managers
inform local media about teams competing in their tournament for
purposes of publicity and interest. Local and nearby media may
be interested in carrying information supplied by the Tournament
Manager. EACH COACH IS ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE HIS LOCAL MEDIA WITH
REGIONAL RUN RESULTS.
27. SOUVENIR PROGRAMS The MHSAA will provide souvenir
programs for sale at Final Tournament sites. You will receive
information about souvenir programs from Communications Director
John Johnson in a separate mailing. Please direct any questions
about programs to his attention.
28. INCLEMENT WEATHER When teams are delayed in
arriving at tournament sites because of inclement weather:
1. Management is encouraged to consider delaying competition for
a few hours and/or playing games/matches in brackets of teams/individuals
who are present and prepared to participate.
2. If, after a reasonable delay, fewer than 60% of the scheduled
teams/individuals have not arrived, the tournament must be re-scheduled.
3. If 60 percent or more of the scheduled teams/individuals are
present, the tournament is to be conducted on the day scheduled.
29. PROCEDURES FOR SUSPENSIONS/DISQUALIFICATIONS AT MHSAA TOURNAMENTS
1. COACH
A. General Unless a school applies additional conditions,
suspension from coaching requires at least that the coach not
be at or near the team bench before, during or after the contest,
not be in or near the locker room before, during or after the
contest, and not give instructions directly or indirectly to coaches
or players from any position in or near the gymnasium or field
of play.
If a school fails to enforce a suspension which is required by
the MHSAA, tournament management shall require the coach to comply
with the terms of suspension and shall report the school to the
MHSAA for further action.
If the coach fails to comply with the terms of suspension, tournament
management shall report the school and coach to the MHSAA, which
shall prohibit the school from the remainder of the current tournament
and impose additional penalties as circumstances warrant.
Note: Suspensions are required for violations of Regulation I,
Section 9(C) and Regulation II, Section 13(A), and may be imposed
under Regulation V in all other circumstances.
B. Unsportsmanlike Conduct in Previous Contest A coach
who is ejected during a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall
be prohibited by his/her school from coaching at or attending
at least the next contest/day of competition for that team. This
is true even if the coach is a parent of a player.
If a school fails to enforce the subsequent disqualification with
respect to its coach or the coach fails to comply, the tournament
manager or any registered official or representative of a member
school who becomes aware of the violation shall report it to the
MHSAA, which shall prohibit the school from the remainder of the
current tournament.
Note: Reference Regulation V, Section 3(D).
2. PLAYER
A. General Unless a school applies additional conditions,
a suspended player is treated as an ineligible player, which means
that student shall not participate. It is permissible, but is
not recommended, that the player may sit with the team, even in
uniform. The minimum requirement is that the suspended student
shall not enter the contest as a participant.
If a school fails to enforce a suspension with respect to one
of its students, which is required under MHSAA regulations, tournament
management or any representative of a member school who becomes
aware of the violation shall report it to the MHSAA for further
action, which shall include (but not be limited to) forfeiture
of the contest and thus elimination from the remainder of the
tournament.
Note: Suspensions are required for violations under Regulation
I, Sections 10, 11 and 12, and may be imposed under Regulation
V in all other circumstances.
B. Unsportsmanlike Conduct in Previous Contest A player
who is ejected during a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall
be withheld by his/her school for at least the next contest/day
of competition for that team.
If a school fails to enforce the subsequent disqualification with
respect to one of its students, the tournament managers or any
registered official or representative or a member school who becomes
aware of the violation shall report it to the MHSAA, which shall
prohibit the school from the remainder of the current tournament.
Note: Reference Regulation V, Section 3(D).
C. MHSAA Tournament Any coach who is disqualified for unsportsmanlike
conduct two or more times during a season and any player who is
disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct three or more times during
a season is not eligible to participate in the MHSAA tournament
for that sport that season. If the tournament disqualifying ejection
for that individual occurs during the MHSAA tournament, that player
or coach is ineligible for the remainder of that tournament.
The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are coming
to a close as fall practice sessions- open this week in several
sports and more next week. With the start of the 1998-99 school
year just around the corner thousands of young people and their
families conclude a summer of vacations, sightseeing, travel,
summer jobs, college prep, recreation or maybe just taking it
easy. Many athletes undoubtedly took part in some form of competition,
whether it be camps or clinics, summer leagues or community recreation
programs. Perhaps the day of the pick-up game on the playground
or the sandlot game among kids is long gone as more
structured activity takes its place.
But for many young athletes, their summer activity wasnt
one of choice. The league, camp or clinic or club team wasnt
optional. Either directly or indirectly theres tremendous
pressure on todays athletes to specialize, compete 12 months
a year in their sport on a national and even international basis.
It may not be said out loud, but covertly kids and their parents
know whats required. The chase for a scholarship or a varsity
starting spot creates an environment in which kids are pressured
to gain an advantage, get the edge over others, play more games,
pump more iron, attend more camps, participate in more tournaments,
get more headlines ... the list goes on.
Its not confined to the summer months, nor to high school
athletes. Youth leagues and club programs are increasingly
competitive. Good people with good intentions have elementary
and middle school age athletes engaged in activity that has far
more structure and emphasis on winning championships, creating
all-star teams and participating in national competitions than
similar programs a generation ago.
The balance of education and interscholastic competition we subscribe
to in WIAA schools seems like an island in its position between
professional leagues and major college philosophies and the youth
and club sport zealotry. Its fair to say that how competition
is conducted after athletes leave high school and are more mature
physically and mentally is not a pressing issue. But the professionalizing
of youth sports, as a recent published article on the subject
calls it, is increasingly a concern.
This is not an indictment of every non-school or non-WIAA program.
Theres nothing inherently wrong with opportunities for young
people to compete, and at a high level for those who wish to excel.
But there is cause for concern about coaching techniques and qualifications,
accountability, health and safety of athletes and emotional scars
left behind by obsessions with winning at all costs.
The excesses of youth programs, national-scope competitions and
the enormous pressures placed on young athletes by well-meaning
people may be the most significant issue we face in the years
ahead. Over the years the nature of sports, recreation, activity,
coaching, structure, camps and clinics at the youth level has
changed dramatically. Parents invest great amounts of time, and
in many cases money, and become very passionate. Its wishful
thinking to believe our society will return to those simple and
innocent days when games of work-up, driveway basketball, pick-up
hockey on outdoor ice or kids choosing up sides was the rule.
But each of us in our own way may be able to influence a board
of directors, league coordinator, parent group, youth coach, organizing
body or governing entity to maintain more balance, reduce pressure,
monitor coaches conduct, encourage participation and emphasize
sportsmanship.
Carrying the torch for less pressure and more perspective in youth
programs may not be a popular position. Those who demand more
games, more wins, more trophies, more travel and more of everything
can talk the loudest and sound convincing. Its up to all
of us to have the courage to be just as passionate on the side
of balance. n
Wisconsin Interscholastic
Athletic Association
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.
National Federation Sanctioning is required for:
1. any interstate contest involving three or more states or four
or more schools where one or more of the schools is from a state
which does not border Michigan; and
2. any interstate contest sponsored by a non-school organization;
3. any international contest.
Application for sanctioning of such meets must be made through
the MHSAA at least 30 days prior to the contest. All sanctioned
or approved meets are listed below. (Includes requests received
and approved by August 1998 for events to be held in September,
October and November)
*Dates preceded by an asterisk are National
Federation sanctioned.
**Dates preceded by two asterisks are border state approved.
September
**12 - Boardman Cross Country Invitational, Boardman, OH
(MI, PA, NY, WV, VA) 600-mile round-trip limitation
*19 - Holly Cross Country Invitational, Davisburg, MI
(MI and OH)
* 19 - Jefferson Cross Country Invitational, Monroe, MI
(MI and OH)
**24 - Northwestern High School Cross Country Invitational, Lake
Nebagamon, WI
(WI, MN, MI) 600 mile round trip limitation
*26 - Cardinal Stritch Cross Country Invitational, Oregon, OH
(MI and OH)
**26 - Culver Cross Country Invitational, Culver, IN (MI and IN)
October
3 - Central States School for the Deaf Volleyball Tournament,
Flint, MI
**3 - Muirfield Golf Invitational, Dublin, OH
(MI and OH)
*3 - Swan Cross Country Invitational, Duluth, MN
(MI, WI, ONT, MN) 600-mile round-trip limitation
17 - MISCA Meet - Ypsilanti, MI (Note: The MISCA Meet counts as
one of the
allowable team competitions. A coach must be a MISCA member to
enter team members into the meet.
November
No events sanctioned at this time
The MHSAA no longer automatically mails
the forms listed below. Each school is now responsible to use
this form to order supplies as needed. This form will appear in
the August, October, February and April issues of the MHSAA BULLETIN.
All items will be pre-packaged in the quantities listed. To aid
in handling, the MHSAA requests you place your order in these
quantities. ORDERS WILL BE FILLED AND RETURNED WITHIN 5 WORKING
DAYS.
Cut Here
Officials Contracts (Form 6-C) (250 per package,
limit 2 packages) ___________
School Contracts (Form 3-C) (250 per package, limit 2 packages)
___________
Physical Examination Cards (Form A) (100 per package) ___________
Eligibility Lists (Form 1) (50 per package) ___________
Ship To:
School_________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________
City___________________________________________________ Zip_____________
Attention: ______________________________________________________________
(Name) (Title)