![](/sites/default/files/imported/DirectorSig2H.jpg)
New Beginnings
August 30, 2016
The Michigan High School Athletic Association office experienced an unusual amount of mobility this summer:
-
Gina Mazzolini retired after nearly a quarter-century on the MHSAA staff, with special attention to skiing, swimming & diving, tennis, volleyball, international students and interstate sanctioning.
-
Andi Osters was promoted to assistant director.
-
Dan Hutcheson joined the staff as assistant director.
-
Jeremy Sampson joined the staff in a tournament promotion, ticketing and marketing capacity.
-
We played musical chairs with offices: John Johnson, Andy Frushour, Andi Osters, Geoff Kimmerly, Kathy Westdorp and Cole Malatinsky all have a change of scenery or surroundings.
So we have some new faces, and some “old” faces in new places at the MHSAA office.
During all these transitions, I discovered I was less jealous of Gina’s retirement than I was of the new beginnings for Andi, Jeremy and Dan. Their new energy renews my own for so much that we hope to accomplish together in 2016-17.
![](/sites/default/files/imported/DirectorSig2H.jpg)
Participation in Perspective
March 4, 2016
In school sports, we promote playing more than winning.
-
We know that kids would rather play on a losing team than only sit and watch on a winning team.
-
We know that, more than winning, kids play for fun, friendships and fitness ... for the “Fs” more than the “Ws.”
But participation alone is not our goal in school sports. The goal is high participation with high standards.
Our mission is to increase participation and to raise standards, including standards of eligibility, conduct and care.
We know that as we raise such standards for participation, we tend to raise the value of participation for students, schools and society.