![The Mattawan boys soccer team celebrates its Division 2 championship won in 2016.](/sites/default/files/2022-09/220915_Mattawan_2H.jpg)
Mattawan Commended Nationally for Athletic Program's Excellence
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 15, 2022
Mattawan’s athletic department has been selected for a Quality Program Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), becoming the second Michigan school to receive the exemplary-level honor since the QPA was introduced in 2009.
Programs were considered by the NIAAA based on 10 assessment categories that aspire to “encourage measurement, planning and goal setting aimed at continuous improvement of local school athletic programs.” Mattawan will be recognized for the achievement during December’s NIAAA/NFHS National Athletic Directors Conference in Nashville, Tenn.
Mattawan sponsors 23 sports, and 563 of the school’s 1,180 students during the 2021-22 school year participated on at least one team.
“Here at Mattawan, we take great pride in our athletics and activities. We are continuously trying to improve so that our student-athletes have the best experience possible,” athletic director Chad Yager said. “The NIAAA Quality Program Award model guided us through a complete evaluation of our athletic programs. In doing this, we were able to reaffirm what we know we do well, (with the program) also showing us areas that need improvement.
“We are extremely proud of this achievement and will continue to grow as a school and community through continuous evaluation of our programs.”
Mattawan previously received an Exemplary Athletic Program Award in 2005 from the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA).
PHOTO The Mattawan boys soccer team celebrates its Division 2 championship won in 2016.
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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.