Statement of Relationship

Membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association is comprised of individual public, private and parochial junior high/middle schools and high schools, approved annually through resolution by their respective Boards of Education. Because such board action results in adoption of the MHSAA Handbook as their own, local boards of education are urged to review annually all substantive Handbook changes before acting on the membership resolution.

The superintendent is responsible for the athletic activities of the school system. The duties will vary according to the size of the school system, ranging from the larger schools where all duties are delegated, to the smaller schools where the superintendent may be both the administrative and executive officer. In either case, it is a duty to have set up a definite school athletic policy and have a complete understanding of that policy by those concerned.

The principal usually is the official representative of the member school and is directly responsible for the general attitude of the student body and the conduct of athletic affairs by the athletic director and the coach.

It is the duty of the above-named officers to derive from the athletic program a full measure of educational value in developing good sportsmanship on the part of the student body, faculty, parents, and general public. Mutual cooperation is essential in order to carry out properly the work of any or all of these officers.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association offers voluntary in-service programs for athletic directors and the Program for Athletic Coaches’ Education (PACE) for coaches. Appropriate institutional control requires that schools help facilitate athletic directors’ and coaches’ learning and supervise their athletic activities.

The MHSAA also provides curricula for officials and their local associations. It is the responsibility of officials as independent contractors to seek and attain knowledge and techniques appropriate for the sports and levels of competition for which they contract.
It is the policy of the Michigan High School Athletic Association that no person who meets essential eligibility requirements shall be discriminated against or excluded from the opportunity to try to participate in Michigan High School Athletic Association serviced activities, solely on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, marital status, or disability.

AN ATHLETIC CODE FOR ADMINISTRATORS

School Administrators at the local level are the final authorities for the athletic activities of the school. In realization of this responsibility these guiding principles should prevail:

For the Superintendent

1. Use all means possible to bring to the community a full realization of the value of athletics as an educational tool in training citizens.
2. Develop district-wide policies that foster good sportsmanship, protect civil rights of all constituents, and promote maximum opportunities for participation by students.
3. Create a definite understanding with principals and athletic directors concerning the school athletic policy and expect and give mutual support in carrying out that policy.
4. Evaluate those in charge of the athletic program by the conduct and attitude of contestants and spectators rather than on the number of games won or lost.
5. Advise the board of education of the privileges and obligations of schools’ membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association, keep the board informed of proposed and adopted changes in MHSAA regulations, and hold the board accountable for the support and enforcement of regulations it adopted when it accepted membership for its school(s) in the MHSAA.
For the Principal
1. Develop a complete understanding of the athletic policy of the school system and of the individual responsibility of all concerned.
2. Certify eligibility of contestants and base that certification on complete information concerning the student’s athletic and scholastic status. Questionable cases will be referred to the Michigan High School Athletic Association before the privilege of competition is given.
3. Support coaches in their efforts to carry out MHSAA and local athletic policies.
4. Instruct the student body of its responsibilities in making the athletic program a valuable one and require desirable types of conduct at “home” and “away” games.
5. Endeavor to foresee possible differences and misunderstandings with other schools and, as far as possible, settle them or provide means of settlement before they materialize.
6. Insist that any misunderstandings that may arise be settled privately between official representatives of the schools concerned.
7. Have a definite understanding with the athletic director about officials, schedules, finances, care of fields and gymnasiums, handling of spectators, supervision of coaches, etc., and give that person every assistance in carrying out such duties.
8. Present promptly and privately to the school involved any information received about possible rule violations by that school; and if the internal investigation and action by that school is not satisfactory, report that potential violation to the MHSAA.
9 Attend as many of the athletic contests of the school as responsibilities will allow.
10. Commend opposing schools for outstanding examples of fine citizenship and sportsmanship.

FOR THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
1. Place the athletic policy of the school district in writing and communicate it often to coaches, athletes, parents, spectators, and support groups.
2. Cooperatively lead the school and community in creating and maintaining an atmosphere which is conducive to an educationally sound athletic program.
3. Develop schedules which are educationally and physically sound for the athlete.
4. Originate contracts with schools and officials which are complete and specific.
5. Hire officials who have the confidence and agreement of both teams, and arrange for their comfort and security.
6. Support officials in cases of adverse rulings, and rate officials objectively on the basis of all parts of their effort and all events, not isolated parts of a single contest.
7. Provide every athlete on each level in all sports proper equipment and uniforms for practice and competition.
8. Prepare and maintain the contest site in the best possible condition.
9. Maintain sidelines for exclusive use of players, coaches and officials, and handle crowds so there is no encroachment on playing space.
10. Refuse admission to athletic contests to persons who have shown a lack of sportsmanship.
11. Provide printed programs which accurately report names of players and help spectators understand the purpose and rules of the sport and encourage good sportsmanship.
12. Provide working accommodations for media covering the contest.

ATHLETIC CODE FOR COACHES
The Coach is the official representative of the school at interscholastic athletic activities. In this important capacity, these standards should be practiced:
1. Develop an understanding of the role of interscholastic athletics and communicate it to players, parents and the public.
2. Develop an up-to-date knowledge of the rules, strategies, precautions, and skills of the sport and communicate them to players and parents.
3. Develop, communicate and model policies for athletes’ conduct and language in the locker room, at practice, during travel, during competition, and at other appropriate times.
4. Develop fair, unprejudiced relationships with all squad members.
5. Allow athletes to prove themselves anew each season and do not base team selections on previous seasons or out-of-season activities.
6. Allow athletes time to develop skills and interests in other athletic and non-athletic activities provided by the school and community groups.
7. Give the highest degree of attention to athletes’ physical well-being.
8. Teach players, by precept and example, respect for school authorities and contest officials, providing support for them in cases of adverse decisions and refraining from critical comments in public or to the media.
9. Teach players strict adherence to game rules and contest regulations.
10. Present privately, through proper school authorities, evidence of rule violations by opponents; and counteract rumors and unproven allegations of questionable practices by opponents.
11. Attend required meetings, keep abreast of MHSAA policies regarding the sport, and be familiar with MHSAA eligibility and contest regulations.
12. Present a clean and professional image in terms of personal appearance and provide a positive role model in terms of personal habits, language and conduct. Use of tobacco within sight of players and spectators and use of alcohol any time before a contest on the day of the contest is not acceptable.

CODE FOR ATHLETIC OFFICIALS
1. Register with the MHSAA each year on a timely basis (by July 1) and attend all required meetings. Work no interscholastic contests with officials who do not hold current registration in the sport.
2. Join and actively participate in an Approved Association for officials.
3. Accept contracts for and officiate only contests for which you are qualified and experienced. Execute and honor contracts in a timely and ehtical manner. Complete reports and follow up all obligations resulting from a contest.
4. Be prepared, physically and mentally, to officiate according to the principles and philosophy promoted by the MHSAA.
5. Refrain from the use of tobacco or alcohol within sight of players and spectators and avoid the use of alcohol anytime before a contest on the day of the contest.
6. Cultivate professional relationships with partners, players, coaches, administrators, and spectators. Refrain from comment to the media.
7. Commit to a personal lifestyle which avoids sexual misconduct, use of illicit drugs and public abuse of alcohol, and will not in other ways impinge upon your perception in the community to fulfill the obligations and standards of the MHSAA “Code for Athletic Officials.”
8. Officiate according to the rules and manuals adopted for MHSAA competition.Admit and correct one’s own errors, hold to correct but unpopular decisions, and support the decisions of other officials.
9. Exercise self-control at all times. Guard against baiting or taunting which may generate loss of poise or demeanor which can erode the professionalism expected of officials in even the most difficult circumstances.
10. Hold to and maintain the basic tenets of officiating which include honesty, integrity, neutrality, respect, sensitivity, professionalism, discretion and tactfulness.

CODE FOR ATHLETES
1. Know and adhere to the athletic code of the school.
2. Exceed all attendance and academic requirements as practical evidence of loyalty to school and team and a proper philosophy of school-sponsored athletics.
3. Observe completely all policies regarding conduct, doing so as a duty to school, team and self.
4. Counsel with the athletic director over questions of eligibility.
5. Practice and play fairly, giving complete effort in all circumstances and credit in victory to teammates and to opponents in defeat.
6. Accept favorable and unfavorable decisions, as well as victory and defeat, with equal grace.
7. Demonstrate respect for opponents and of officials before, during and after contests.

GENDER AND ETHNICITY – POSITION STATEMENT
The MHSAA believes that gender and ethnicity equity is more than being in compliance with the law. It is a spirit. It is a personal ethic. It is a commitment to do what is right and fair for all athletes, officials, coaches and athletic administrators. It means creating an atmosphere and an environment where opportunities and resources are distributed fairly to all. An atmosphere where no person experiences discrimination on the basis of gender or ethnicity.

It is the position of the MHSAA that its member schools monitor their athletic programs to ensure that athletic offerings are equitable and meet the interests and abilities of student-athletes.

While the MHSAA does not have the authority to promote specific interpretations or to rule on compliance issues regarding federal and state laws, it does believe that all concerned should take steps to promote the spirit and intent of gender and ethnicity equity.

LEGAL STATUS OF THE MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
On April 18, 1972, articles of incorporation (nonprofit) were filed for the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., stating this purpose:

“To create, establish and provide for, supervise and conduct interscholastic athletic programs throughout the state consistent with educational values of the high school curriculums, the interest in the physical welfare and fitness of the students participating therein by giving the opportunity to participate in athletics designed to meet the needs and abilities of all and to make and adopt such rules and regulations and interpretation thereof to carry out the foregoing and to further provide for the training and registering of officials and to publish and distribute such information consistent therewith and to do any and all acts and services necessary to carry out the intent hereof.”

On Aug. 8, 1978, the Attorney General issued Opinion No. 5348 which states in part:

“As a private nonprofit corporation, the MHSAA has the same rights as any other private nonprofit corporation and may engage in any conduct or activity not prohibited by law or beyond the purpose as stated in its articles of incorporation . . .

On April 8, 1986, the Attorney General issued Opinion No. 6352 which states in part:

“MHSAA is not an agency or instrumentality of the state. The tournaments sponsored by MHSAA are a private corporate activity of the association. Public high schools may participate in such tournaments. MHSAA may establish whatever conditions and requirements it sees fit for participation in these tournaments. . .

“The representative council of the MHSAA and its executive committee are not state or local legislative or governing bodies. They are not empowered by the state constitution, statute, charter, ordinance, resolution or rule to exercise authority. The representative council rather, is the board of directors of a private, nonprofit corporation which has as its members both public and private schools. The Open Meetings Act does not purport to apply to private, nonprofit corporations.”

PURPOSES OF THE MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
1. Increase and promote the educational value of interscholastic athletic programs throughout the state.
2. Assist member institutions in their regulation of interscholastic athletic eligibility and competition.
3. Promote uniformity, predictability and competitive equity in the application of eligibility rules for athletic contests.
4. Promote the physical welfare of participating students.

LEADERSHIP AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MICHIGAN SCHOOLS BY THE MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION, INC.
1. Assistance to schools in planning and developing a better athletic program by supervision of interscholastic athletic contests, counseling with schools on athletic problems, special meetings and publications.
2. Printed materials, including eligibility forms, contracts, calendars, Handbook, School Directory, Officials Directory, Officials Guidebook, Coaches Guidebook, Mentor and Stripes, sports rules books, and souvenir programs at championship events.
3. Registration and classification of athletic officials.
4. Rules meetings and clinics for coaches and officials in various sports.
5. Planning and administering MHSAA tournaments and meets.
6. Catastrophic Insurance Plan.
7. Care and Prevention of Injury Clinics, and in-service programs for athletic directors and coaches.
8. Women in Sports Leadership Conference and annual award.
9. In-service for officials trainers and assignors.
10. Ongoing study through the MHSAA office and the National Federation.

FACTS ABOUT THE MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
1. There were 737 member public, private and parochial Senior high schools in the MHSAA during 1999-00. Schools do not pay membership dues nor are they assessed entry fees for tournament participation. There were more than 256,000 participants on athletic squads in the high schools of Michigan.
2. The legislative body of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., is the Representative Council, an independent board of 14 members of whom are elected by the schools of the state and 4 are appointed in accordance with the Constitutional provisions. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is an ex-officio member.
3. Over 300 different people, including Representative Council members, served on more than 40 MHSAA committees last year. They helped to determine policies and make plans for the wide range of sponsored activities.
4. There were 11,019 athletic officials registered with the MHSAA during 1999-00.

MHSAA PUBLICATIONS
BULLETIN—Published eight times each school year, August through May, the MHSAA Bulletin includes minutes of meetings of the Representative Council and all MHSAA committee meetings. Official policies regarding MHSAA tournaments and reminders of other policies and procedures are also included. The Bulletin is sent without charge to all schools and to all officials. It may be purchased by others for $9 per year.
OFFICIALS DIRECTORY—Published in September, the Officials Directory includes the names, addresses, phone numbers and sports of all officials who registered for the current school year by July 1. A list of local officials associations is also included. The Officials Directory is sent without charge to all member schools. It may be purchased by others for $2.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY—Published in November, the School Directory includes the names, addresses, phone numbers and administrators of all member junior high/middle schools and high schools. A list of leagues and conferences is also enclosed. The School Directory is sent without charge to all member schools. It may be purchased by others for $2.
OFFICIALS GUIDEBOOK—Published in May, the Officials Guidebook includes policies and procedures which must be known to officials who register as an MHSAA official and administer athletic contests involving, MHSAA member schools. The Officials Guidebook is sent free of charge to all prospective officials and all MHSAA member schools. Additional copies may be purchased for $1.
COACHES GUIDEBOOK—Published annually in June, the Coaches Guidebook includes MHSAA policies and regulations applicable for coaching in Michigan schools. The Guidebook is sent free of charge in sufficient quantities to all member high schools. Additional copies may be purchased for $1.
STRIPES—Published seasonally and sent free of charge to all MHSAA registered officials and to the secretaries of all leagues and conferences. It is intended to provide encouragement to officials as well as hints and reminders to make their avocation as trouble-free as possible.
MENTOR—Published seasonally and sent free of charge to all head coaches of teams at MHSAA member schools and to the secretaries of all leagues and conferences. Articles are included on philosophies of coaching and policies and procedures of interscholastic athletics in Michigan.
BOOK OF CHAMPIONS—Published annually in September, the Book of Champions contains the lists of winners in each sport for the previous year. This includes team and individuals. The cost is $18.

HOW TO JOIN THE MHSAA
Membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association is optional. Schools may conduct a complete program of interscholastic athletics and may participate against MHSAA member schools in regular season competition without joining the MHSAA.

Membership in the MHSAA is free of charge. There are no membership dues. While MHSAA tournaments are limited to MHSAA member schools in good standing, there are no tournament entry fees for qualifying schools.

Article II of the Constitution of the MHSAA describes which schools may become members of the MHSAA and how this occurs.

Through their boards of education, member schools voluntarily join the MHSAA each and every year by adopting a Membership Resolution which stipulates the school district has adopted the organization’s rules as its own and agrees to primary enforcement of those rules.

Beginning Aug. 1, 1997, boards of education for member schools also are required to have a code of good sportsmanship, an educational program to communicate that code, and an enforcement plan to implement the code.

By Representative Council action of May 4, 1988, only those schools for which a Membership resolution has been received by the fourth Friday after Labor Day are permitted entry in MHSAA tournaments for that school year.

Pursuant to Representative Council action March 21, 1997, the MHSAA Executive Committee must review the application of a school which joins the MHSAA for the first time or after a lapse of its membership for one or more school years, and such school may not become a member of the MHSAA until specifically approved for membership by the MHSAA Executive Committee. The Executive
Committee may determine if MHSAA membership is approved or denied and, if approved, when MHSAA tournament participation shall be allowed to commence for each new member school.

Practices and behaviors by a non-member school that are in opposition to the regulations and principles for interscholastic athletics of the Michigan High School Athletic Association may cause the MHSAA Executive Committee to deny or delay that school’s membership in the MHSAA. Competitive equity requires that non-member schools be held to the same standards as current member schools for up to three years immediately preceding their first year of membership. Institutions denied membership in the MHSAA or participation in its tournaments may appeal the Executive Committee’s decision to the Representative Council.