MHSAA November 1999 Bulletin

BULLETIN
November 1999 Volume LXXVI Number 3

OFFICIAL REPORT OF BOARD OF CANVASSERS

East Lansing, Oct. 6, 1999

We, whose signatures appear below, declare the following to be nominees for, or members elect of, the Representative Council or the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., as a result of ballots received in accordance with the provisions of Article IV, Section 6, of the Constitution, or as authorized by the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee at its meeting on Oct.3, 1941.

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

NORTHERN PENINSULA -

CLASS A AND B SCHOOLS (#1)

Total number of legal ballots received 5

Dan Flynn, Escanaba 4

Tim Hall, Sault Ste. Marie-Sault Area 1

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 0

Elected by majority of votes-- Dan Flynn

CITY OF DETROIT

PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS (#2)

Total number of legal ballots received 7

Eunice Moore, Detroit Public Schools 7

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 1

Elected by majority of votes--

Eunice Moore

SOUTHWESTERN SECTION -

CLASS C AND D SCHOOLS (#3)

Total number of legal ballots received 37

Norm Johnson, Bangor 37

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 1

Elected by majority of votes--

Norm Johnson

SOUTHEASTERN SECTION -

CLASS C AND D SCHOOLS (#4)

Total number of legal ballots received 29

Randy Salisbury, Britton-Macon 29

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 5

Elected by majority of votes--

Randy Salisbury

STATEWIDE AT-LARGE (#5)

Total number of legal ballots received 551

John P. Gasidlo, Ottawa Lake-Whiteford 68

Scott Grimes, Grand Haven 164

Karen Leinaar, Gaylord 188

Dail Prucka, Monroe-Jefferson 59

Brian Zdanowski, Greenville 72

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 59

No majority-- Names of Scott Grimes & Karen Leinaar submitted to schools

JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOLS (#6)

Total number of legal ballots received 178

Paul Ellinger, Hartford 108

Craig Haugen, Addison 70

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 19

Elected by majority of votes-- Paul Ellinger

UPPER PENINSULA
ATHLETIC COMMITTEE

CLASS D SCHOOLS (#7)

Total number of legal ballots received 17

Russell Bailey, Ewen-Trout Creek 17

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 0

Elected by majority of votes--

Russell Bailey

CLASS A AND B SCHOOLS (#8)

Total number of legal ballots received 4

Don Edens, Kingsford 4

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 0

Elected by majority of votes-- Don Edens

CLASS C SCHOOLS (#9)

Total number of legal ballots received 11

Michelle Kanipes, Ironwood-L. L. Wright 0

Dee Jay Paquette, Munising 8

Don Poshak, Calumet 3

Illegal or incomplete ballots received 0

Elected by majority of votes--

Dee Jay Paquette

BOARD OF CANVASSERS (Signed)

Ron Beegle, Athletic Director, Charlotte HS

Rudy Godefroidt, Principal, Hemlock HS

Paul Hornak, Athletic Director, Ithaca HS

Joe Lopez, Superintendent, Quincy

Community Schools

Roger Rush, Athletic Director, Leroy-Pine

River Area HS

OFFICIAL REPORT OF SECOND MEETING OF BOARD OF CANVASSERS

East Lansing, Oct. 6, 1999

STATEWIDE AT-LARGE
Total number of legal ballots received 632
Scott Grimes, Grand Haven 287
Karen Leinaar, Gaylord 345
Illegal or incomplete ballots received 48
Elected by majority of votes— Karen Leinaar

Board of Canvassers (Signed)
Ron Beegle, Athletic Director, Charlotte HS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

East Lansing, Sept. 15, 1999

Members Present:

Robert Grimes, Battle Creek

Dennis Kniola, Stevensville

Tom Rashid, Detroit

Dan Flynn, Escanaba

Dewayne Jones, West Bloomfield

Staff Members Present:

Jerry Cvengros, East Lansing

Jack Roberts, East Lansing (Recorder)

Executive Committee Authority and Responsibility - The Executive Committee was reminded of its authority under Article VII of the MHSAA Constitution and specifically its responsibility to consider each application for waiver of an eligibility requirement on its individual merits, determining if the regulation serves the purpose for which it was intended in each case or if the regulation works an undue hardship on any student who is the subject of a request for waiver. (These underlying criteria may not be restated for every subject of this agenda.)

The Executive Committee was reminded that it was the responsibility of each member school involved to provide sufficient factual information about the specific request for the Executive Committee to reach a decision without further investigation. If information is incomplete, contradictory or otherwise unclear or has been received too late to be studied completely, the Executive Committee may deny the request for waiver or delay action. Such requests may be resubmitted to the Executive Committee with additional information at a subsequent meeting or appealed to the full Representative Council.

A determination of undue hardship is a matter addressed to the discretion of the Executive Committee within the educational philosophy and the place of voluntary extracurricular competitive athletics in the academic environment. The Executive Committee was cautioned to avoid making exceptions that would create precedent that effectively changes a rule without Representative Council action or local board of education adoption, which would exceed Executive Committee authority.

Students for whom waiver of a particular regulation is granted must be eligible in all respects under all other sections and interpretations of the regulations prior to participation.

Consistent with rulings of the Attorney General, schools are not bound by the decisions of the Executive Committee, but the Association may limit participation in the postseason tournaments it sponsors to those schools which apply rules and penalties as promulgated by the MHSAA and adopted by each member school's board of education.

Brighton and Howell High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[F]) - The Executive Committee approved a cooperative program between these schools in girls gymnastics. Brighton High School will be the primary school.

Brighton, Howell, Fowlerville and Hartland High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[F]) - At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed an application to add Fowlerville High School to the cooperative program that exists between Brighton and Howell High Schools in boys swimming and diving. Also reviewed at that time was a request to waive the Aug. 15 deadline for the addition of Hartland High School to this program. At that meeting, the Executive Committee granted waiver of the deadline until Sept. 8, 1999, and indicated it would consider the status of both Fowlerville and Hartland when all application materials were complete and clearly understood by the MHSAA and all four schools. Subsequently, the MHSAA received some of the requested information.

The Executive Committee approved the addition of Fowlerville and Hartland High Schools with two conditions: (1) that documentation be provided that indicates that Kensington Valley Conference approves the addition of Hartland High School, and (2) that Fowlerville High School documents that it will permit and support any number of its students' participation.

Chassell and Calumet-Copper Country Christian High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - The Executive Committee approved the addition of Calumet-Copper Country Christian High School to Chassell's cooperative program with Painesdale-Jeffers in girls volleyball. The committee also approved an application for a new cooperative program with Copper Country Christian in boys basketball. Chassell will be the primary school.

Hartland and Linden High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[F]) - Request was made for an extension of the Aug. 15 deadline for winter sports cooperative program applications so that these schools could complete preparation of an application in girls gymnastics. At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver until Sept. 8, 1999. Subsequently, the MHSAA received additional information but not completed applications. The information indicated that the effort is on behalf of a single student at Linden and that three of nine responding school districts oppose the application.

The Executive Committee declined to approve this application.

Hudsonville and Hudsonville-Unity Christian High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[F]) - The Executive Committee approved a cooperative program in boys swimming and diving between these schools. Hudsonville will be the primary school.

Traverse City-St. Francis and Traverse City Christian High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - The Executive Committee approved a cooperative program in boys and girls skiing. St. Francis sponsored the sport previously and will be the primary school.

Waterford Kettering, Waterford Mott and Clarkston High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[F]) - The Executive Committee approved the addition of Clarkston High School to the cooperative agreement in girls gymnastics which Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott have conducted since the 1996-97 school year. Waterford Kettering will be the primary school.

Bangor High School (Regulation I, Sections 4 & 5) - Request to waive the maximum semesters sections of the eligibility regulation was made on behalf of a student who entered 9th grade at Bangor High School in 1995-96. In 1996-97, because of hospitalization from an accidental gunshot, he began school Oct. 6. He attended sporadically over three weeks and was suspended for five days. He did not return to school until the next semester when he enrolled in the alternative education program where he was enrolled until being promoted to the regular high school this year.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Detroit-Mumford High School (Regulation I, Sections 4 & 5) - A late request to waive the maximum semesters sections of the eligibility regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who attended Detroit Country Day School for 9th, 10th and 11th grades. It was alleged the student had a disability and that Detroit Country Day could not meet his needs. He then transferred to Blue Ridge School in Virginia where he repeated 11th grade. Unable to continue the expense of the private school, the family returned their son to Detroit, first indicating he would enroll at Martin Luther King High School but ultimately enrolling at Mumford High School.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Clio High School (Regulation I, Section 7) - A late request was made to waive the previous semester record regulation on behalf of a 12th-grade student who was diagnosed ADHD in June of 1994. Because of stomach disorders, he had to discontinue medication in January of 1999. He has had a steadily declining high school academic record and passed only one of five courses in the second semester of the 1998-99 school year. He received a D- in each of the two 1999 summer session courses that school policy allowed him to make up.

The Executive Committee cited the student's weak and deteriorating academic performance throughout high school; there was not a sudden change last January. It was noted that MHSAA regulations permit deficiencies to be made up during the summer and that it would be inappropriate for the Executive Committee to grant waiver for a student whose record was so poor that even by the school's maximum accommodation for making up credits, the student still is lacking the academic record to meet the bare minimum for athletic eligibility. The request for waiver was denied.

Caro High School (Regulation I, Section 8) - The Executive Committee was requested to consider Handbook regulations in the case of a student who was home schooled in 1998-99. This year the student is being home schooled for four core courses and is enrolled for two courses at Caro High School and three courses at Baker College, for which Caro recognizes credit.

The Executive Committee confirmed that this student could be deemed eligible for interscholastic teams at Caro High School provided there is a system of regular reporting of academic progress between the college and Caro High School, as well as ongoing documentation to Caro High School to assure the student remains enrolled in and regularly attending the home school courses indicated to assure this is an eligible shared-time student under Interpretation No. 48 and not an ineligible transfer student.

Ann Arbor-Huron High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled at Huron High School Aug. 31, 1999, the first day of the current school year. The student resides in the Huron attendance area but began football practice at Pioneer High School and played in its first game on Aug. 26. When it was discovered that the address provided by the student's guardian was false and his actual residence was not within the Pioneer attendance area, the student was directed to Huron High School, which requested immediate eligibility for the student at least at the sub-varsity level.

The Executive Committee found that this student was not ordered to transfer within the meaning and intent of transfer regulation exception 9, but was required to change schools because records had been falsified. Noting also that the student had participated in a game, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver under Section 9(B) to permit eligibility at the sub-varsity level.

Auburn-Bay City Western High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student whose parents are divorced and who moved from the residence of his mother in Oklahoma to the residence of his father's parents in Bay City. The student's father incurred head and other injuries in an automobile accident in 1991, shortly before the divorce decree was granted. The student and his brother have lived with these grandparents during summer vacations for many years.

The Executive Committee noted there was no compelling reason provided for the student to relocate from Oklahoma, and it denied the request for waiver.

Auburn-Bay City Western High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student whose parents have lived apart for reasons of their employment, she in Iowa and he in Bay City, but who are together many weekends. The student moved with his mother to Iowa in June of 1998 because his father's work schedule did not allow adequate supervision of the student. The student has returned to Michigan because he is now able to drive himself to school and activities.

The Executive Committee noted the legitimate need for the student to move to Iowa and that the student is returning to the same residence and school, and it granted the request for waiver.

Birmingham-Groves High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Eton Academy of Birmingham last year where a limited interscholastic athletic program was conducted. This student practiced once a week and played in approximately eight soccer games, and then practiced twice a week and played in eight to 10 basketball games against small high schools' 9th and 10th-grade teams.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver, noting that the specific conditions of Section 9(B) include that the student has not participated in high school in any sport for which the MHSAA conducts a postseason tournament, whether or not that student actually participated in that tournament.

Burr Oak High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student who lived with his father in Bronson during the previous school year and has relocated to Burr Oak and the residence of his mother, who was never married to his father. Documentation identified the biological parents and an otherwise completed Educational Transfer Form was provided.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Coloma High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who last year attended Benton Harbor High School where he did not participate in any sports.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Dearborn Heights-Annapolis High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who attended school in this district through 10th grade. His family moved to Chelsea where he attended 11th grade. He participated in athletics, but gradually lost interest in sports and school. The student moved to his grandparents and reenrolled at Annapolis High School. At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver. The matter was resubmitted with additional information, including that the health of the grandparents is failing and the family has moved back to Dearborn Heights because the home in Chelsea is undergoing major renovations.

The Executive Committee determined that the student is eligible under the regulations if Handbook Interpretation No. 70 is satisfied and the student is living with his parents in the Annapolis High School district. It was also requested the school take notice of Interpretation No. 69 and advise the student and his family of its content.

Dearborn Heights-Crestwood High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who previously attended Redford-Detroit Catholic Central High School where he did not participate in athletics. The transfer was for unspecified family reasons.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Detroit-Benedictine High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who enrolled March 19, 1999, transferring from St. Martin dePorres High School where he encountered some discipline problems.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Detroit-Benedictine High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student from U-D Jesuit High School where he had academic deficiencies.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Detroit-Benedictine High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of 12th-grade twins, one of whom for his safety was asked not to return to Detroit-Chadsey as a result of an April 14, 1999 altercation. Both students completed the 1998-99 school year at Chadsey.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Detroit-Holy Redeemer High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who previously attended West Wayne Christian Academy where he did not compete in any sports.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Dowagiac Union High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Volinia Outreach Center in the Marcellus School District last year while living in Dowagiac. He did not participate in any sports last year. Dowagiac releases students and their records to Volinia. Dowagiac has its own alternative education program and those students are counted as potentially eligible at Dowagiac.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Dowagiac Union High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who attended Dowagiac Union High School for 9th, 10th and the first semester of 11th grade while living with her mother. Then she moved to live with her father in Georgia, completing 11th grade there. She has returned to her mother's residence and Dowagiac Union High School for 12th grade. The student's mother and father were never married but are identified on her birth certificate. An otherwise completed Educational Transfer Form was provided.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

East Lansing High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student who has moved from the residence of her brother to the residence of her aunt in East Lansing (additional details confidential).

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Essexville-Garber High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who is neither a permanent nor temporary ward of the court but has been placed with his grandparents with whom he has lived since April 1999.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver subject to the condition that the school submit to the executive director documentation that confirms the Executive Committee's understanding of circumstances that compelled the student's relocation.

Farwell High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who practiced three days at Harrison High School before enrolling at Farwell. The student's family is constructing a home adjacent to Farwell athletic facilities.

Inasmuch as the student only practiced at the previous school and much of the competitive season has passed, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility at any level.

Ferndale High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Ferndale High School until an illness to her guardian caused the student to move to her sister's residence in Pontiac where she attended Northern High School. The guardian (an aunt) is now able to care for herself and the student has returned to that residence and to Ferndale High School. The student did not participate in any sports at Pontiac-Northern High School.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Gladstone High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who has been a ward of the court and was returned from an institutional setting to his home in a district which neighbors the Gladstone School District where he had attended school in the past.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Grand Rapids-Creston High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who last year attended Grand Rapids-Catholic Central High School where she participated on the swim team but had difficulties with several students.

The Executive Committee reiterated its long-standing position that the making and losing of friends and peer group pressures and problems are common and do not rise to the level of creating undue hardship; and the request for waiver was denied.

Harper Woods-Regina High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended St. Thecla School through 6th grade. Her father's employment relocated the family to China. She had registered for 9th grade at Regina High School when her father's stay in China was extended another year, causing her to attend 9th grade in Singapore. The family's home is closer to Center Line-St. Clement than Regina.

The Executive Committee noted that she has returned to the school where she was originally registered and would have been eligible, and it granted the request for waiver.

Holland High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who attended 7th, 8th and the first day of 9th grade at Black River Public Academy before enrolling at Holland High School.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Jonesville High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who resides in Jonesville with his family but last year attended Concord High School, which is not participating in schools of choice but accepts a limited number of out-of-district residents. Concord would not accept this student's return at least in part because of the student's behavior problems last spring. The Jonesville athletic director met with the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Lake Linden-Hubbell High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student who previously attended Norway High School. He moved to Dollar Bay but enrolled at Lake Linden-Hubbell, where his family is building a home. He desires to play football in the Lake Linden-Hubbell/Dollar Bay cooperative program.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for football only. The student is ineligible for any other sport until the first day of classes of the second semester at Lake Linden-Hubbell High School or until the family relocates within the Lake Linden-Hubbell district, whichever is earlier.

Lansing Catholic Central High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility at only the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended DeWitt High School last school year. He participated in two track meets before an injury ended that season.

Lansing-New Covenant Christian High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who in 1998-99 attended Lansing Christian High School where he tried out for and practiced with the golf team. His score never qualified for use in a meet. He desires to play soccer at New Covenant Christian, which he is attending because it is 15 miles closer to his residence and more closely aligned with the family's beliefs and practices.

Mackinaw City High School (Regulation I, Section 9[C]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who resides in the Pellston School District and attended Pellston High School for 9th grade. He played the 1999 football season's first two games as a part of the cooperative program between Pellston and Mackinaw City.

The Executive Committee found that all requirements of this section had been met, including the written approval of both schools; and it granted the request for waiver.

Madison Heights-Bishop Foley Catholic High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended 9th grade in 1998-99 at Rochester High School where he did not participate in school sports.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Menominee High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of two students who attended Menominee Area Public Schools for the past five years. Their father took a job in Ohio, the family moved there in August, the students attended class briefly, and the mother and students moved back to Menominee. In Ohio, the 12th-grader attended one day of class and seven cross country practices (no meets); the 10th-grader attended three days of class and participated in no practices or competition.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Merrill High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who lives in Merrill and attended Midland-Bullock Creek High School last school year and for five school days this year where he practiced with the junior varsity football team before he enrolled at Merrill, which would not sign a letter of release for this school year.

Expressing disappointment for the decision regarding this student by Merrill High School, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver; but it indicated it would not grant waiver of the transfer regulation for this student in the future.

Michigan Center High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who transferred to Michigan Center in April after moving from his mother who was unable to care for him to his grandmother's residence in Michigan Center. The student played basketball at Jackson-Northwest High School last year.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver subject to the condition that the school prove to the executive director's satisfaction that the student's father is not a viable option for his care.

Montague High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who attended Calvary Baptist Academy in Muskegon for four years. The school has relocated 9.3 miles further from the family's home in Montague, where the student has enrolled.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Muskegon High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation and specifically Interpretation No. 68 was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled at Muskegon Catholic Central in early August and practiced with its football team Aug. 9-16. He enrolled at Muskegon High School on Aug. 18. The parents have recently divorced, are engaged in a custody battle and disagree where the student should attend high school.

Muskegon-Western Michigan Christian High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Algoma Christian School last year (additional details confidential).

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Niles-Brandywine High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who lives in Edwardsburg but who attended 8th, 9th and part of 10th grade in the Brandywine system. In December of 1998, she returned to the Edwardsburg district when her mother, who has Multiple Sclerosis, could no longer drive her to school. The student's father works for the railroad and is unable to assist with transportation. This year the student is able to drive herself and has returned to Brandywine High School. The school's assistant principal and the student's parents met with the Executive Committee.

The request for waiver was granted.

Okemos High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who moved from the residence of his mother in Okemos to the residence of his father in Farmington Hills, where he enrolled at Harrison High School in November of 1998 and played two sports without completion of an Educational Transfer Form, divorce exception. He has returned to his mother's residence in Okemos. It was stated in late received information that the first move was necessitated by a living situation in Okemos and a serious disease of the father.

The Executive Committee noted that the student has received the maximum eligibility available when relocating between divorced parents and that waiver, which would provide additional participation that would exceed that available to other students, should be denied.

Ontonagon High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who attended Ontonagon schools through 8th grade while he and his mother resided at the student's maternal grandparents' house. When he and his mother moved to her boyfriend's house, the student entered Baraga schools. Tension in that home rose over three years until the student returned to his grandparents' house in Ontonagon and he enrolled at Ontonagon High School for the 1999-00 school year. At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver. The matter was resubmitted with additional information supporting the increasing volatility of the student's living situation in Baraga.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Ortonville-Brandon High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation (Interpretation No. 68) was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who attended football practice at Pontiac-Notre Dame Preparatory High School on Aug. 18, 1999 and returned the next day to the Brandon School District, which he attended his entire academic career.

Parchment High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to permit immediate eligibility at the sub-varsity level only during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year for a 10th-grade student who attended Kalamazoo-Hackett Catholic Central High School as a 9th-grader in 1998-99 where he participated in football. At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver. The matter was resubmitted with additional information about the circumstances of the 1998-99 school year.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver at any level of competition.

Redford-Bishop Borgess High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation (Interpretation No. 68) was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who practiced basketball with Detroit-Cody High School between Aug. 16 and 24 before enrolling at Bishop Borgess High School on Sept. 3, 1999. The school requested the student continue to be ineligible for the first three contests after Sept. 15 and then allowed eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the remainder of the current semester.

Redford-Detroit Catholic Central High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation (Interpretation No. 68) was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who attended five days of football practice at Livonia-Franklin High School but attended no classes. He attended Detroit Catholic Central's largest feeder school, St. Michael Grade School, for eight years. He took the 8th-grade placement test in November of 1998 and directed that his test scores be sent to Detroit Catholic Central, which accepted him in January of 1999 for enrollment as a 9th-grade student in 1999-00. He attended Detroit Catholic Central for its first day of school on Aug. 17. Detroit Catholic Central would limit his eligibility to the sub-varsity level.

Riverview-Gabriel Richard High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student whose family has relocated from River Rouge to a home they have constructed which is closer to several other non-public schools than the one attended by her sister now and her uncle and cousins previously.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Royal Oak-Dondero High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit immediate eligibility at the sub-varsity level only was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who last school year attended Southfield-Lathrup High School where he practiced with the football team but did not play in any contests due to an injury.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Royal Oak-Dondero High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility immediately at only the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student from Oak Park High School who wishes to participate in soccer that was not sponsored by Oak Park.

The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver, noting that this section applies only to 9th and 10th-grade students.

Royal Oak-Kimball High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who attended Howell High School in 1998-99 when he did not participate in any school sports.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Saginaw-Heritage High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who, at the end of the first semester of the 1998-99 school year, relocated from his mother's residence in the Heritage district to his father's residence in Oxford where he played sports through use of the Educational Transfer Form. While at Oxford, the student's father was charged with criminal sexual conduct. There is now a custody struggle. Neither the criminal sexual conduct charges nor custody has been resolved. The student has reenrolled at Heritage but has already used the one-time exception for transfers related to divorce.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver subject to the condition that the student's stepsister has also been removed from the home of the student's father.

St. Joseph High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who was new to the community last year and attended St. Joseph Middle School for 8th grade in 1998.99. He participated in three practices with the St. Joseph High School freshman football team this fall and then practiced once at Lake Michigan Catholic. He participated in no scrimmages or contests at either school and attended no classes before Sept. 15 at St. Joseph High School.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver, to be effective after the student has attended at least ten complete school days at St. Joseph High School and has established an adequate academic record there and the student also has attended at least ten separate days of football practice at St. Joseph High School.

Traverse City Christian High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the 1999-00 school year was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who did not participate in sports at his previous school.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for immediate eligibility only at the sub-varsity level during the first semester of the current school year.

Westland-Lutheran High School Westland (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who previously attended Valley Lutheran High School in Saginaw. The family has relocated but the residence is closer to another Lutheran school. The student's father is pastor of a Lutheran church which operates a feeder school for Lutheran High School Westland.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Wyoming-Tri-unity Christian High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of 10th and 12th-grade students who previously attended Freedom Baptist High School and whose sister, who attends elementary school in the same building as Freedom Baptist High School, was emotionally abused by an elementary teacher whom the Board refused to terminate in spite of administration recommendations to the contrary.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Burt Lake-Northern Michigan Christian Academy (Regulation III, Section 1[C]) - Request to waive the enrollment regulation was made to permit 6th grade boys to play basketball with 7th and 8th-graders. The high school enrollment is 29.

The Executive Committee granted the request for the 1999-00 school year only.

Bronson Junior High School and Bronson-St. Mary's Assumption School (Regulation III, Section 1) - The Executive Committee approved the addition of girls basketball and girls volleyball to the cooperative agreement that exists between these schools in four other sports.

New Buffalo Middle School and New Buffalo-St. Mary of the Lake School (Regulation III, Section 1) - The Executive Committee approved a cooperative program in football, girls competitive cheer, girls volleyball, boys and girls track and field, boys and girls cross country and boys and girls basketball. New Buffalo Middle School will be the primary school.

Millington High School (Regulation V, Section 3[C]) - The Nov. 14, 1998 MHSAA Football Playoff game between Chesaning and Millington High Schools was ended by the officials with 1:43 remaining in the game because of a series of personal fouls against Millington, which has submitted a summary report of internal actions which have included public apologies by players, school sanctions against players, development of a school district task force to improve sportsmanship among all constituents, and increased involvement in the Program of Athletic Coaches' Education (PACE). At its January meeting, the Executive Committee requested that the school's administration and head football coach appear at a future meeting to address more specifically the student sanctions that have been imposed, the steps being implemented to improve sportsmanship among athletes, other students, fans and coaches, the district's expanded involvement in PACE, a report of the first task force meeting(s), and, since many comments were received about the inadequacy of the facility as a contributor to problems, what is being done to address those concerns.

The principal and two members of the football coaching staff met with the Executive Committee to discuss each of the designated topics. Recommendations by the Task Force to the Millington Board of Education were reviewed, as were facility concerns. Many other positive ideas were exchanged.

At its Feb. 25, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee determined as follows:

(1) The action of the Board of Education with respect to the task force recommendations should be communicated to the MHSAA as soon as it occurs; and

(2) Because facility deficiencies were cited by all parties, until there are significant changes that solve existing problems, if Millington should otherwise earn the privilege of hosting an MHSAA Football Playoff game, it will be required that Millington High School arrange an alternative site acceptable to the MHSAA staff.

On Aug. 11, 1999, the executive director faxed to Millington High School a request for follow-up, which was received Aug. 13.

The Executive Committee found the school's response to be inadequate and directed the executive director to receive more from the school in writing about the progress in improving its football facility, the plans to have its personnel participate in PACE, and means being used by the district to communicate and reinforce its Sportsmanship Policy, consistent with Article II, Section 3 of the MHSAA Constitution.

The school's response of Sept. 10, 1999, was reviewed by the Executive Committee, which determined it is still lacking in several respects which the executive director is to communicate to the school's administration.

Ravenna High School (Regulation I, Sections 4 & 5 & Regulation V, Section 4[B]) - Requests to waive the maximum semesters regulation and the requirement of forfeiture for participation by an ineligible student were made. The student attended Coopersville High School for 9th, 10th and the start of 11th grade while living with his mother. In October of 1997, the student moved to his father's residence and was placed in 10th grade at Ravenna. The student, who is now in his 5th first semester and 9th semester overall, played in a football game Aug. 27, 1999.

The Executive Committee denied the request to waive the maximum semesters eligibility standard and the requirement of forfeiture of the contest in which a student participated who was in excess of the semesters limitation.

Ann Arbor-Pioneer High School - At its April 22, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed the conduct by some of the Pioneer spectator section at the conclusion of the 1999 MHSAA Class A Boys Basketball Final game.

The Executive Committee directed the staff to (1) require a response from the school's administration that, among other information, will identify the administrators, staff and chaperones who were assigned to the contest and their roles during and after the game; and (2) review tournament printed materials for the possibility of adding clearer, stronger and more thorough coverage of schools' responsibilities to supervise their spectators. In addition, the Executive Committee requested that the Representative Council discuss this situation and the possibility of revising Handbook language to deal more effectively with similar situations in the future.

The school's written response was received June 3. Also provided to the Executive Committee were pages 14 and 15 of the Tournament Manager's Manual, pages 4-6 of the Final Round Qualifying Team Manual provided after the Regionals, and two additional pages for qualifying teams' chaperones.

At its June 9, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee requested that the executive director communicate its dissatisfaction with the school's response and require additional follow-up by the school. Ideas were discussed for strengthening the MHSAA's written expectations of participating schools' administration and spectators at MHSAA Basketball Tournaments.

There was no response from the school. Therefore, at its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee directed the executive director to ask the school for its response prior to the Sept. 8 meeting of the Boys Basketball Tournament Committee.

The school's response was received Sept. 7. It required additional follow-up, which was requested by the executive director but not yet provided by the school. The Executive Committee asked the executive director to obtain the information previously requested.

Saginaw High School - Pursuant to Regulation V, Section 4(A), Saginaw High School was placed on probation for the 1996-97 school year for failure to rate any boys soccer, volleyball, baseball or softball officials during the 1995-96 school year. The probation was extended to the 1997-98 school year for failure to rate any officials in volleyball, wrestling and softball during the 1996-97 school year. Then in the fall of 1997, the school failed to rate any boys soccer officials and was notified March 31, 1998, that probation would continue for the 1998-99 school year with the stipulation that the school must show cause by Aug. 1, 1998, why it should not be prohibited from participation in the MHSAA tournament in any sport where there is a violation during 1998-99, meaning that the school at this time may not participate in the 1998 MHSAA Boys Soccer Tournament. Subsequently, the school failed to rate any officials in girls soccer, meaning that the status of girls soccer is the same as boys soccer for 1998-99.

The school's response was that the boys soccer coach was hospitalized during the season and that there were three different coaches for the girls team, which eventually withdrew from the 1998 MHSAA Girls Soccer Tournament.

At its Aug. 12, 1998 meeting, the Executive Committee directed staff to reemphasize that the obligation to rate officials is a duty of the member institution, not just coaches. However, the Executive Committee accepted the school's explanation. It was determined the school would remain on probation through the 1998-99 school year, but without loss of tournament participation privileges, while its compliance record is monitored.

During the 1998-99 school year, Saginaw High School had the following violations:

Girls Volleyball - failure of head coach to attend rules meeting or pass exam; failure to rate any officials.

Wrestling - failure to rate any officials.

Boys Golf - failure of head coach to attend rules meeting or pass exam.

Baseball - failure to rate any officials.

Softball - failure to rate any officials.

Girls Soccer - failure to rate any officials.

The school was placed on probation through the 1999-00 school year. It was requested that the executive director express the concern of the Executive Committee directly to the superintendent and board president, as well as principal and athletic director of Saginaw High School, and that recommendations be prepared for the Representative Council for publicizing chronic offenders and penalizing them in ways that affect financial reimbursements, hosting opportunities, and participation opportunities for students of schools which are chronic offenders of administrative rules.

On Sept. 7, 1999, the MHSAA received a letter from the Saginaw High School principal reporting a meeting occurred with the superintendent, assistant superintendent and athletic director and a meeting also occurred with head coaches of girls volleyball, boys golf, wrestling, baseball, softball and girls soccer. The letter described new procedures that will be implemented to eliminate recurring violations, including the policy that coaching stipends will not be paid until all duties are completed.

The Executive Committee accepted these remedial actions by Saginaw High School, which the Executive Committee will continue to monitor.

New Schools - Pursuant to procedures for MHSAA membership, as established by the Representative Council March 21, 1997, MHSAA membership is approved for:

a. Flat Rock-Summit Academy, a public school academy with 9-11 enrollment of 220 which anticipates sponsoring cross country, basketball and baseball for boys and basketball, volleyball and softball for girls and adding 12th grade in 2000-01. Its membership would be at both the high school and junior high/middle school levels; and

b. Hillsdale Academy, a private school with 29 students in grades 9-11 which anticipates sponsoring boys soccer, boys basketball, boys track and field, girls basketball, girls volleyball and girls track and field. Its membership would be at both the high school and junior high/middle school levels.

c. Detroit-Charlotte Forten Academy, a public school academy with 120 students in grades 9-12 which anticipates sponsoring only boys basketball. Its clientele is primarily individuals housed at Boysville Medium Level Risk Facility. The school will participate in the Michigan Athletic League.

Kimball-New Life Christian Academy - At the June 10, 1998 Executive Committee Meeting, the executive director reported that this school had been suspended from MHSAA membership for 1998-99 for its continuing failures to meet Handbook obligations, including the failure to rate any officials and attend rules meetings in boys and girls basketball. The school previously had been prohibited from entering the MHSAA Boys and Girls Basketball Tournaments in 1997-98 and 1998-99 for failure to attend required rules meetings three consecutive years in boys basketball, and for failure to attend a rules meeting or pass a rules examination and failure to rate any officials in girls basketball.

The school sought membership for 1999-00. MHSAA staff conducted a site visit and recommended that the school be accepted into membership but remain on probation for the 1999-00 school year.

The Executive Committee approved membership with probation for New Life Christian Academy.

Sault Ste. Marie-Sault Area High School (Classification) - The school, which since 1993 has utilized the option to move from the Class B/C/D tournament to the Class A tournament in ice hockey, requested waiver of the Aug. 15 deadline to permit its reclassification from Division 3 to Division 2 of the 2000 MHSAA Ice Hockey Tournament.

The Executive Committee granted the request for Sault Area High School to participate in Division 2 of the 2000 and 2001 MHSAA tournaments.

Non-Traditional Schools and Students - The Executive Committee reviewed the reports of the three task force groups which met in August, pursuant to the Representative Council's request that the MHSAA (1) develop strategies for Representative Council consideration to promote greater awareness and use of options that currently exist for interscholastic athletic participation by students who are less than full-time enrolled students of the school sponsoring the athletic program, and (2) explore additional options that might be considered by the membership to expand such opportunities with appropriate oversight of attendance, behavior, curriculum and progress toward graduation and other fundamental requirements of educationally-based athletics.

The executive director provided a preview of how the progress to date would be reported at Update Meetings.

Finance - The Executive Committee reviewed cash flow projections identifying the effects in July through October 1999 of increased payments to MHSAA tournament hosts during the previous school year.

As of July 30, 1999, the Women in Sports Leadership Fund had increased to $327,642.54 since its inception in 1994 with an original investment of $211,975 and after six withdrawals totaling $94,121.64 to support direct expenses of the annual Women in Sports Leadership Conference. On Aug. 24, 1999, the executive director sold all of the Women in Sports Leadership Fund in the American Funds US Government Securities, totaling $81,198.92. The balance in the Women in Sports Leadership Fund as of Aug. 31, 1999 was $239,199.50. Because the balance still exceeds the original investment, and far more than the recently liquidated portion of this fund has come from the MHSAA's general operational budget to support the indirect expenses of the event, the Executive Committee voted that the amount sold on Aug. 24 not be restored to this designated fund.

Next Meetings - The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing. Thereafter, the Executive Committee will meet Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing; and Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 8:30 a.m. in Grand Rapids.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GIVE THANKS

I can still recall as if it were yesterday my high school choir director stretching out his arms, throwing back his head, and looking to the heavens when we got a particularly loud and inspirational chord just right. I can remember his eyes welling up with tears when we got a soft, delicate phrasing just right. His love for music and for us was so infectious, he won the hearts of 50 adolescents for music and for him.

When I was a senior, I joked with him that he should be the highest paid employee of the school district. He said he disagreed because the highest paid employee didn't get to see the love and hear the music of 50 kids for 50 minutes every day the way he did. He felt he was the most highly compensated employee in the district.

But ten years later, my mother told me that this choir director had left teaching for private business. I was incredulous. I couldn't picture Mr. Schultz as anything but a teacher. I was greatly saddened.

Ten years after that, I attended my 20th high school reunion; and the two teachers invited to join the Class of 1966 that night included Mr. Schultz.

That evening, I asked to speak with him privately. I told him I was saddened when I heard he had left teaching and I was still sad, because he was the best teacher I had in high school. "Why did you leave teaching?" I asked.

He answered, "Because no one told me what you just did."

What a loss for education. And what difference a word a encouragement might have made.

So this Thanksgiving, let us each seize the opportunity to give thanks for and to give thanks to the most important educators of our lives.

REVIEWING THE REGULATIONS

A REVIEW OF NON-TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS,

STUDENTS & ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES

"NON-TRADITIONAL" SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS

MHSAA rules are minimum standards. Schools may adopt higher standards or may deny eligibility where MHSAA rules permit. Local rules which exceed MHSAA minimum standards prevail.

In General . . .

A. A student of a non-traditional school may be eligible at the school where he or she is physically taking and passing at least 20 credit hours provided (1) local policy allows, (2) these credits count toward graduation requirements at the school where he/she is enrolled and intends to graduate, and (3) that school does not have any inter-scholastic athletics.

B. Courses taken in a school other than the one in which a student is enrolled may be counted toward athletic eligibility in the school of actual enrollment provided arrangements for current eligibility reports are made between the schools. This may apply to:

1. Adult Education, including night school

2. Alternative Education

3. Colleges and Universities

4. Home Schools

5. Nonpublic Schools

6. Public School Academies (charter schools)

7. Special Education

8. Vocational Education, including skills centers and tech centers

Adult Education/Night School

If a student is enrolled in the adult education or night school program of his/her community for at least some courses and receives credit toward graduation at the high school in the district of his/her residence, that student may be eligible for interscholastic athletics at his/her base (original) high school only, provided local policy allows and the student is passing the equivalent of 20 credit hours overall which count toward the graduation requirements of the base high school.

Alternative Education

If a student is placed in an alternative school administered directly or through a consortium by that student's school district, and the alternative school does not have an interscholastic program, that student may be eligible at his/her base (original) high school only, provided local policy allows and that student is passing the equivalent of 20 credit hours overall which count toward the graduation requirements of the base high school.

Colleges, Universities

If a regularly enrolled undergraduate high school student takes courses in advance of the high school level, these courses may be included for high school graduation credit and for athletic eligibility purposes; and that student may be eligible at his/her base (original) high school only, provided local policy allows and that student is passing the equivalent of 20 credit hours overall which count toward graduation requirements of the base high school.

Home Education

If a student is unable to attend school but remains enrolled in it and instructed by its teachers through a "homebound" program, that student may be eligible for interscholastic athletics at the school where he/she is enrolled, provided local policy allows and the student is passing the equivalent of 20 credit hours overall which count toward the graduation requirements of that school.

See Part II for three options for "home schooled" students.

Nonpublic Schools

See Part III for five options.

Public School Academies

(Charter Schools)

See Part III for five options.

Special Education

If a student is placed by an Individual Education Program Committee in a special education program at another high school, that student may be eligible at his/her high school of residence or the high school to which he/she is assigned, provided local policy allows and the student is passing the equivalent of 20 credit hours overall which count toward the graduation requirements of the school from which he/she expects to graduate. The choice is available one time in grades 9-12.

Vocational Education, Skills Center,

Tech Center

If a student is enrolled in a vocational education program, skills center or technical center administered directly or through a consortium by that student's school district, that student may be eligible at his/her base (original) high school only, provided local policy allows and that student is passing the equivalent of 20 credit hours overall which count toward the graduation requirements of the base high school.

II.

EXISTING ATHLETIC

OPPORTUNITIES FOR

HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS

Outside of Schools

Students of home schools may participate in sports through youth leagues, church leagues, YMCA/YWCA, boys/girls clubs, health/fitness clubs, etc.

Within Schools

(If local school policy allows)

THREE OPTIONS:

Option 1 - Home School Sponsors and Conducts an Athletic Program:

Home school groups are encouraged to sponsor and conduct self-sufficient athletic programs for their students and compete against any other schools.

Option 2 - Enrolled in a Home School, Taking Courses at Another School:

A student who is enrolled in a home school that sponsors no teams in any sports may participate on sports teams of a high school if that student is taking and passing at least 20 credit hours of course work (usually four full subjects) at that high school.

The two schools may set up the academic reporting procedures that suit them, so long as they meet the minimum requirement of providing academic progress reports at least every ten weeks.

Option 3 - Enrolled at a High School, Taking Courses at Home:

A student who is enrolled in a high school may take as many courses as he/she wishes at home and still remain eligible for athletics at that high school as long as the student is doing passing work in at least 20 credit hours (usually four full subjects) for which the traditional public or private high school will provide credit on that student's transcript.

The two schools may set up the academic reporting procedures that suit them, so long as they meet the minimum requirement of providing academic progress reports at least every ten weeks.

III.

EXISTING ATHLETIC

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMIES

(CHARTER SCHOOLS) AND

NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS

(EXCEPT HOME SCHOOLS)

Outside of Schools

Students of public school academies and nonpublic schools may participate in sports through youth leagues, church leagues, YMCA/YWCA, boys/girls clubs, health/fitness clubs, etc.

Within Schools

(If local school policy allows)

FIVE OPTIONS:

Option 1 - Public School Academy or Nonpublic School Sponsors and Conducts an Athletic Program:

Public school academies and nonpublic schools are encouraged to sponsor and conduct self-sufficient athletic programs for their students and compete against any other schools.

Option 2 - Cooperative Programs:

If a public school academy or nonpublic school joins the MHSAA, it may combine with one or more other member schools to jointly sponsor teams in one or more sports.

Cooperative program application forms are available from the MHSAA office and require the approval of the board of education and administration of each school, as well as the league/conference in which the program will participate.

Deadline for fall sports is April 15.

Deadline for winter sports is Aug. 15.

Deadline for spring sports is Oct. 15.

Cooperative programs are permitted in all 24 sports when the combined 9-12 enrollment of the cooperating schools does not exceed the maximum for Class B (997 students in 1999-00).

Even if the combined enrollment of the schools exceeds Class B, cooperative programs are permitted in eight of 24 sports: girls competitive cheer, girls gymnastics, girls golf, boys and girls swimming and diving, boys and girls skiing and ice hockey.

In a cooperative program, all cooperating schools must be MHSAA members. There is no cost for MHSAA membership, but each member school's governing board must adopt each year a resolution which obligates the school to enforce all MHSAA rules and regulations as to its own students and faculty in all MHSAA tournament sports. MHSAA Membership Resolutions are available from the MHSAA office.

In cooperative programs, all cooperating schools contribute students, resources and oversight to the effort.

A school may sponsor its own teams in some sports and enter a cooperative program with another school in other sports.

Option 3 - Enrolled in a Public School Academy or Nonpublic School, Taking Courses at Another School:

A student who is enrolled in a public school academy or nonpublic school that sponsors no teams in any sports may participate on sports teams of a high school if that student is taking and passing at least 20 credit hours of course work (usually four full subjects) at that high school.

The two schools determine for themselves how to share state funding for the student and what, if any, athletic participation fee is appropriate.

Option 4 - Enrolled at a High School, Taking Courses at a Public School Academy or Nonpublic School:

A student who is enrolled in a high school may take as many courses as he/she wishes at a public school academy or nonpublic school and still remain eligible for athletics at that high school as long as the student is doing passing work in at least 20 credit hours (usually four full subjects) for which the traditional public or private high school will provide credit on that student's transcript.

The two schools may set up the academic reporting procedures that suit them, so long as they meet the minimum requirement of providing academic progress reports at least every ten weeks.

The two schools determine for themselves how to share state funding for the student and what, if any, athletic participation fee is appropriate.

Option 5 - Continuing Eligibility:

A student who has been attending one high school for at least two semesters may enroll in another MHSAA member school that offers a specialized curriculum which is not available at the first school and continue to be eligible at the first school in sports not sponsored by the specialized school.

The student must be taking and passing at least 20 credit hours of course work overall, there must be regular academic reports between the schools, and there must be compliance with all other eligibility requirements of the MHSAA and both schools.

The determination of whether the specialized curriculum of one school without a sport is not available in the curriculum of a school with that sport shall be made by the school providing the sport. The majority of courses provided by the school without the sport must be different in type (not degree of difficulty) from those available at the school with the sport.

The two schools determine for themselves how to share state funding for the student and what, if any, athletic participation fee is appropriate. n

NOTE: Schools voluntarily join the MHSAA and, to that end, it is necessary that each school district sign each year a Membership Resolution adopting the rules and regulations of the MHSAA as their own and agreeing to primary enforcement of those rules. While a school district is not bound by the decisions rendered by the MHSAA regarding rule violations, the MHSAA may condition eligibility for its tournaments on compliance with its rules and its determinations concerning rules violations and the penalties to be imposed for violations of the rules. See Attorney General Opinions No. 4795 (1977) and No. 6352 (1986).

Many school districts have additional rules that may also apply to the subject matter of this column.

UPPER PENINSULA ATHLETIC COMMITTEE MEETING
Escanaba, Sept. 24, 1999

The Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee met in Escanaba on Sept. 24, 1999, and discussed the following agenda.

Girls Basketball

Officials were selected for the 1999 Girls Basketball District, Regional and Final tournament. James Dompier of Keweenaw Bay was selected to work a Final game while James St. Onge of Ishpeming was chosen to officiate a Semifinal game.

Boys Basketball

The following sites were selected for the District tournament.

Class A: Escanaba

Class B: Gladstone

Class C: Rudyard, Munising, Houghton, Iron Mountain

Class D: Pickford, Brimley, Superior Central, Carney Nadeau, Wakefield and Chassell High School At Michigan Tech.

Boys Regionals 24 and 32 will be held at Northern Michigan University while Regional 31 will be played at Newberry High School.

Class D Quarterfinal 16 will be played at Escanaba if both Regional winners are from the Upper Peninsula. If Regional 32 winner is from the Lower Peninsula, the game will be played at Sault Ste. Marie.

Boys & Girls Golf

The following sites were selected for the June 2, 2000, Finals.

Class A-B: Escanaba

Class C: Girls at Norway, Boys at Iron Mountain

Class D: Girls at Bark River-Harris (Highland), Boys at Rock Mid-Peninsula

Gymnastics

The finals will be held at Escanaba High School on March 4, 2000.

Ice Hockey

The following sites were selected for the Hockey Regionals to be held Feb. 28- March 4, 2000.

Region l: Marquette High School

Region 3: Calumet High School will host at Michigan Tech University

Skiing

Tournament sites will be selected by the MHSAA Ski Committee in October.

Boys & Girls Swimming

The Feb. 19, 2000, Finals are scheduled for Houghton High School.

Boys & Girls Tennis

The following sites were selected for Boys & Girls Tennis Finals in 2000 and 2001.

Class A-B: Marquette

Class C-D: Iron Mountain

Track & Field

The 2000 and 2001 Track Finals will be held at Kingsford High School.

Volleyball

Sites were selected for district and regional tournaments in the new format of state competition.

Class A District and Regional competition will be held in the Lower Peninsula.

Class B Districts will be held in Gladstone, with the winner advancing to a Regional downstate.

Class C Districts will be hosted by Newberry, Ishpeming, Iron Mountain and Hancock. The Class C Regional will be held at Negaunee High School.

The Class D Districts will be at Brimley, Rapid River, Forest Park and Ontonagon, with the Class D Regional to be played in Escanaba.

Regional winners in all classes will progress to Quarterfinal play in the Gaylord area.

Wrestling

The Upper Peninsula Individual Finals will be held at Marquette High School on Feb. 18-19, 2000. Marquette will host again in February 2001.

The committee requested MHSAA staff to remind Marquette management that there should be no trophies or awards presented at the finals. Because the event is sponsored by the MHSAA as the individual finals, there are no team trophies presented. Only MHSAA awards can be presented at MHSAA events.

Next Meeting: The next meeting of the UP Athletic Committee will be held in Escanaba on Friday, Jan. 14, 2000.

Scholar-Athlete and Sports Nutrition

Award Deadlines!

Applications for the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance, and the Sports Nutrition Award, sponsored by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, have been sent to member schools for consideration of candidates for the 1999-00 school year.

Please pay careful attention to the following deadlines for each award.

Individual applications for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be completed and turned in to high school principals by Nov. 22, so that they may forward the information to the MHSAA by 4 p.m. EST on Dec. 3. Schools are required to submit all applicants in one packet along with the School Applicant List.

Sports Nutrition Award fall sports applications must be received by Nov. 5, while the winter sports deadline is Feb 25, and the spring sports deadline is May 12. Sports Nutrition Award applicants must be sent directly to the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.

Each school is responsible for utilizing a delivery service that ensures that its applications arrive on time. No applications that arrive after the deadlines listed here will be considered for awards.

FROM THE NATIONAL FEDERATION

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS PARTICIPATION AT ALL-TIME HIGH; MICHIGAN RATES SIXTH NATIONALLY

The number of students participating in high school athletics reached an all-time high during the 1998-99 school year, as participation increased for the 10th consecutive year.

Based on figures from the 51 state high school athletic/activity associations that are members of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), participation in high school athletics during 1998-99 was 6,504,298, an increase of 151,523 from 1997-98. The 1998-99 figure exceeds the previous all-time high set by the "baby boom" mark of 6,450,482 in 1977-78.

Data from the 1998-99 survey indicated another record participation for girls at 2,652,796, an increase of 82,463 from the previous year. Boys participation also increased, up 69,232 to 3,832,352, the highest mark since 1977-78. In addition to the 2,652,796 female participants and 3,832,352 male participants, the 6,504,298 total includes 19,220 participants in the coed team tennis program in Texas.

The NFHS has compiled the survey since 1971 based on figures from its 51 member state associations. With the exception of a slight decrease from 1987-88 to 1988-89, participation has risen each year since the 1983-84 year. The 1984-85 total stopped a six-year downward spiral in which participation dropped five years.

In the listing of athletic participants by state, Texas remains No. 1 with 783,751, followed by California (584,590), New York (328,954), Ohio (290,226), Illinois (288,212), Michigan (285,465), Pennsylvania (234,644), Minnesota (220,583), New Jersey (208,791) and Massachusetts (179,142).

NFHS 1998-99 Participation Summary -- Ten Most Popular Boys Programs

Schools Participants

1. Basketball	16,763		1. Football	983,625
2. Track & Field	14,620		2. Basketball	549,499
3. Baseball	14,486		3. Track & Field	477,960
4. Football	13,192		4. Baseball	455,305
5. Golf	12,251		5. Soccer	321,416
6. Cross Country	11,855		6. Wrestling	235,973
7. Tennis	9,521		7. Cross Country	181,915
8. Soccer	9,041		8. Golf	167,781
9. Wrestling	9,022		9. Tennis	142,953
10. Swimming & Diving	5,234	10. Swimming & Diving		83,411

NFHS 1998-99 Participation Summary -- Ten Most Popular Girls Programs

Schools Participants

1. Basketball	16,439		1. Basketball	456,873
2. Track & Field	14,545		2. Track & Field	405,163
3. Volleyball	13,250		3. Volleyball	380,994
4. Softball	12,679		4. Softball	340,480
5. Cross Country	11,341		5. Soccer	257,586
6. Tennis	9,385		6. Tennis	156,505
7. Soccer	7,931		7. Cross Country	155,529
8. Golf	6,771		8. Swimming & Diving	133,235
9. Swimming & Diving	5,450		9. Competitive Cheer	74,462
10. Competitive Cheer	4,064	10. Field Hockey		57,980

FALL RATING FORMS DUE DEC. 3, 1999

Officials rating forms for varsity or sub-varsity girls basketball, boys soccer and football were sent in late October to all MHSAA member schools sponsoring those sports. The forms are designed to be "read" by a mark sensor scanning device. Many of the blanks already have been completed and returned. The deadline for receiving forms in this office will be Dec. 3, 1999. Rating blanks received after this date will not be processed.

Athletic directors are reminded that only one rating may be submitted for each official regardless of the number of times the official works contests for one school. Each official may receive a varsity and a sub-varsity rating from one school for working more than one level of competition.

The mark sensor forms do require attention and adherence to specific preparation rules.

1. Use only a No. 2 pencil -- NO INK.

2. Fully mark each space selected.

3. Print the officials ID number and name in the space provided and fully darken the appropriate spaces under the entry. Officials ID numbers are found in the Officials Directory.

4. Indicate "Varsity" or "Sub-varsity" rating.

5. Print the school ID number in the space provided and fully darken in the appropriate spaces under the entry. School ID numbers are in the School Directory in parentheses following the school name.

6. Use only the original forms sent to your school. Copies of the form cannot be read by our equipment because the carbon properties in the copy machine ink violate the system.

7. Keep forms as neat and free of wrinkles, folds and holes as possible.

8. Athletic directors are asked to review the ratings and make