Changes Create Calendar Conundrum
April 2, 2015
By Jack Roberts
MHSAA Executive Director
Decades ago, schools developed policies and procedures for competitive athletics that educators knew were best for both schools and students.
Schools believed that for every sport a period of guided practices to prepare students for competition was important to minimize risks and maximize performance. Maximum numbers of competitions per day and per week reinforced these beliefs and tended to assure students also had time for their studies.
Schools believed that the season should not run on forever, and maximums were established on the total number of weeks and competitions.
Schools believed that at least a short break between sports was good for both the bodies and minds of students, and that an extended break in the summer was also good, providing opportunities to engage in other sports, or for summer employment, or for family time and travel.
On every count, schools were correct.
Unfortunately, over time, sports programs of non-school groups have moved into every month, week, day or half-day that schools have not programmed for students. Most of it is competition without preparation (lots of games, few practices). And parents far too often have been far too willing to pay any amount and drive any distance to facilitate their child’s interest or force their child’s play.
What do educators do when what their heads tell them is the best no longer resonates in the hearts of so many people their schools are to serve?
And that question is at the heart of this week's MHSAA benchmarks series examining out-of-season issues. Watch for more installments over the next four days.
UPDATE Meeting Series In 39th Year
September 15, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan High School Athletic Association will conduct its 39th annual Update Meeting series in the coming weeks, and this year’s schedule will again offer in-service programming for athletic directors at six of the seven locations.
The Update series is annually attended by more than 800 school administrators. During the meetings, information about current MHSAA activities is disseminated, issues affecting interscholastic athletics are discussed, and attendees are surveyed on various topics.
Six luncheon meetings are scheduled in the Lower Peninsula, and a morning meeting is scheduled for Marquette in the Upper Peninsula. MHSAA Executive Director John E. "Jack" Roberts will address high school superintendents, principals, athletic directors and school board members on a variety of topics at these meetings. Update Meetings also provide school administrators an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any recent changes in the Association's rules and regulations.
This will be the 14th year for Athletic Director In-Service programs to take place in morning-long sessions prior to most of the Update Meetings. These workshops are designed to help prepare those administrators for the rigors of their jobs, and with the Update Meetings offer those in attendance an opportunity to meet with administrators from neighboring school districts with whom they normally are not able to have day-to-day contact.
The meeting in Gaylord on October 10 also will serve as the Annual Business Meeting for the MHSAA. The registration form for Athletic Director In-Service and Update Meetings is available on the “Administrators” page under the “Schools” heading on the MHSAA Website at www.mhsaa.com.
Here is a schedule of the 2016 Update Meetings:
• Sept. 21 – Four Points by Sheraton, Kalamazoo (Noon – Preceded by AD In-Service at 8:30 a.m.)
• Sept. 26 – DeCarlo’s Center, Warren (Noon – Preceded by AD In-Service at 8:30 a.m.)
• Oct. 3 – English Hills Country Club, Comstock Park (Noon – Preceded by AD In-Service at 8:30 a.m.)
• Oct. 6 – Causeway Bay, Lansing (Noon – Preceded by AD In-Service at 8:30 a.m.)
• Oct. 5 – Zehnder's Restaurant, Frankenmuth (Noon – Preceded by AD In-Service at 8:30 a.m.)
• Oct. 10 – Otsego Club & Resort, Gaylord (Noon – Preceded by AD In-Service at 8:30 a.m.)
• Oct. 28 – Northern Michigan University Superior Dome, Marquette (10 a.m. – Upper Peninsula Athletic Directors Meeting)
The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,400 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.