Risk Minimization Reaches More

May 9, 2014

Every season – fall, winter and spring – the MHSAA launches a series of sport-specific rules/risk management meetings, completion of  which has been a requirement for high school varsity head coaches and MHSAA registered officials who want to coach or officiate in the MHSAA tournament for that sport. Two significant changes will occur for the 2014-15 school year.

For the first time in 2014-15, all assistant and subvarsity high school coaches must complete the same meeting requirement as the high school varsity head coach or, in the alternative, they must complete one of seven free online health and safety courses that are posted on MHSAA.com and designated to fulfill this requirement. High school athletic directors must certify each season, three times a year, that all their assistant and subvarsity coaches for that season have completed that requirement.

Also, for the first time in 2014-15, the MHSAA will be posting content for officials that differs from the content for coaches. While coaches are being given a review of select Handbook regulations, for example, officials will be reminded of key elements of effective officiating, regardless of the sport or level of competition.

These new policies are intended to bring more relevant content to a greater number of those who work with student-athletes and to further emphasize risk minimization in educational athletics.

In 2013-14, slightly more than 20,000 coaches and officials completed the MHSAA rules/risk management meeting requirement. The number will greatly exceed 100,000 in 2014-15.

Ann Arbor Greenhills Athletics Recognized as 'Exemplary' by NIAAA

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

July 29, 2022

Ann Arbor Greenhills’ athletic department has been selected for a Quality Program Award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), becoming the first 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.” Greenhills will be recognized for the achievement during December’s NIAAA/NFHS National Athletic Directors Conference in Nashville, Tenn.

Greenhills sponsors 21 sports, and 247 of the school’s 355 students during the 2021-22 school year participated on at least one team.

"At Greenhills, we have always prided ourselves on continuous improvement, and aim to provide an exemplary experience for all of our student-athletes,” athletic director Meg Seng said. “The NIAAA Quality Program assessment guided us through a comprehensive examination of our entire athletic program. This exercise affirmed many of our strengths and also highlighted areas in which we can continue to improve. 

“We remain motivated to measure, innovate and improve our program to benefit the student experience. While we are extremely grateful and proud for the recognition, the true value came while engaging in a thorough audit and working alongside dedicated colleagues during the process."

Greenhills previously received an Exemplary Athletic Program Award in 2017 from the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA).

PHOTO The Ann Arbor Greenhills girls tennis team celebrates its Lower Peninsula Division 4 championship won last month. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)