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.
Driving Force that Needs to be Re-Routed
November 30, 2015
The MHSAA's Fall issue of benchmarks examined the transfer regulation, including the reasoning behind recent changes. This is the first of four installments that will appear on Second Half this week.
By John E. “Jack” Roberts
MHSAA Executive Director
During the 2014-15 school year, over the course of 12 meetings, the MHSAA Executive Committee considered 467 requests of member schools to waive Handbook rules. Of those, 300 requests were to waive some aspect of the Transfer Regulation.
So an issue of benchmarks which examines the MHSAA transfer rule is well justified. Perhaps overdue.
Over the years, families have moved about and split apart with increasing frequency. Public policymakers have adopted laws that encourage students to move, and to keep moving, until they find a school more to their liking or they graduate, whichever occurs first.
Meanwhile, the profile of competitive sports has blossomed to the point of becoming overblown, the influence of non-school sports has spread and the delusion of college athletic scholarships has infected the brains of more students and parents. All of which increase the likelihood that students will move as much or more often for athletics as for academics and all other factors combined.
Add to this that the United States, and Michigan in particular, has become the favored landing zone for foreign exchange students, and the result is the need for a transfer rule that is like a great outside linebacker – tough, quick and nimble. We need a rule that is tough, acts fast and can keep changing to keep up with the times.