Vol. XV --No. 2
Winter 2001
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MENTOR welcomes contributions of articles, information or photos which focus on coaching in Michigan. |
Representative Council Approves
In-Service Program for New Coaches
|
MENTOR welcomes contributions of articles, information or photos which focus on coaching in Michigan. |
The Representative
Council, at its fall meeting in Traverse City on Nov. 29, 2000,
approved the MHSAA staff recommendation to conduct a first-ever
orientation program for new coaches at both the high school and
middle school levels. The one-day introductory program for first-year
coaches (paid or volunteer) in all sports will be held on Monday,
July 30, 2001, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Michigan High School
Athletic Association office in East Lansing.
It is anticipated that a large number of new coaches will attend
the one-day program with an agenda devoted to MHSAA Regulations,
Risk Management, Practice Planning and Structure, Coaching Psychology,
Staff Relationships and Sports-manship Issues. Guest speakers
will include MHSAA staff, an attorney, active coaches and athletic
administrators, as well as PACE instructors from Michigan State
University and Western Michigan University. A registration fee
will subsidize a portion of costs for materials and lunch.
Although the MHSAA currently sponsors the 12-hour PACE Level I
and Level II workshops, it is not anticipated that the new coach
orientation program will replace PACE, but will enhance MHSAA
in-service opportunities and encourage further enrollment in coaches
education programs.
In a related matter the Representative Council renewed its commitment
to Athletic Director In-Service programs for August 2001. MHSAA
In-Service programs for athletic directors have been held throughout
the state since 1987 but were scheduled to end this year. However,
because of numerous requests to continue the programs and a perceived
need for additional services for athletic administrators the Council
approved a staff recommendation to conduct seven workshops at
various sites throughout the state in August. Emphasis for the
2001 programs will include history, rationale, and application
of MHSAA regulations.
Registration information for both programs will be available in
the near future.
With the addition of Little Caesars Pizza as
the MHSAA’s newest corporate partner during the fall of 2000,
the Good Sports Are Winners! sportsmanship program was renewed
beginning with three fall championships.
The Good Sports Are Winners! program is a comprehensive approach
to sportsmanship, providing MHSAA member schools with materials
through which they can develop a campaign to suit their needs
as it relates to the topic; and a recognition program where over
1,400 teams will be honored annually for displaying outstanding
sportsmanship at selected MHSAA postseason tournaments.
Three schools were honored for their exemplary displays of sportsmanship
during the finals this fall, and received commermorative banners,
crystal trophies and a $1,000 donation from Little Caesar’s
Pizza. They were: Allen Park Inter-City Baptist in boys soccer,
Schoolcraft in football, and DeWitt in girls basketball.
"Sports at the high school level are different than all other
forms of sports. Sportsmanship is a key ingredient of that difference,"
said John E. "Jack" Roberts, executive director of the
MHSAA. "The efforts of the MHSAA, as an association of schools,
in the area of sportsmanship, have been among the most proactive
in the nation. However, lacking corporate support for the past
four years, we have been unable to fit that last piece into the
puzzle – honoring those schools which make a difference by
making sportsmanship a goal above wins and losses.
"We are excited that Little Caesars Pizza has come to the
support of the MHSAA to promote good sportsmanship across the
state," Roberts continued. "As a result of this partnership,
and the resources that Little Caesars brings to the table, our
education and awareness efforts will soar, and we will be able
to provide our schools once again with a recognition program that
is unequalled in this country."
The MHSAA's sportsmanship education efforts, which have included
sportsmanship summits in three of the past four years; annual
sportsmanship kits; and financial mini-grants to schools, and
leagues and conferences sponsoring sportsmanship initiatives on
the local level; will be enhanced by Little Caesars in several
ways:
• Brochures and posters will once again be made available
to member schools to distribute to students and parents, delivering
the message of sportsmanship. The posters will also be prominently
displayed in Little Caesars stores statewide. These educational
materials may carry with them messages from respected members
of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers organizations.
• Students and parents promising to uphold the standards
of good sportsmanship at the local level will also be provided
pledge cards, a daily reminder of their desire to be good sports.
These cards will also be good for discounts at Little Caesars
stores.
• Public service announcements for radio and television promoting
sportsmanship will be released, featuring messages from respected
members of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers organizations.
These messages may also be repackaged in a future video to be
provided to MHSAA member schools to be shown at pre-season meetings
for student-athletes and parents.
On the recognition side, the Good Sports Are Winners! Award returns
at the district, regional and final levels of the following MHSAA
postseason tournaments: Girls basketball, football and boys soccer
in the fall; boys basketball, ice hockey, girls volleyball and
team dual wrestling in the winter; and baseball, girls soccer
and softball in the spring.
District winners will receive certificates, regional winners plaques,
and final winners will receive a crystal trophy, banner and $1,000
donation from Little Caesars Pizza.
The program has also been enhanced in several ways. At the district
and regional level of MHSAA tournaments, all schools which meet
a set of sportsmanlike standards will receive awards, which will
result in nearly 500 additional schools being recognized. There
have also been standards introduced into the program which would
automatically disqualify a school from consideration from the
award which include: Ejections from events of athletes, coaches
and spectators for unsportsmanlike actions; antics on the part
of spectators (such as body painting) which are intended to attract
attention to themselves; and the use of game-ending derogatory
cheers, chants or songs.
Additionally, any team which is disqualified for the Good Sports
Are Winners! Award at the District or Regional level of a tournament
becomes ineligible for the award at higher levels of that same
tournament.
"We felt that it was necessary to recognize all schools when
they meet or exceed behavior expectations at MHSAA tournaments,
and we're pleased that with Little Caesars' support, we can add
that element to the awards program," Roberts said. "In
initiating disqualification criteria, we're also responding to
requests from our schools where they have seen a team or community
behave badly at an early round of an MHSAA tournament, and later
on win the top sportsmanship award at the finals level of that
tournament. Sportsmanship is a full-time job, and this new twist
in the program will help schools realize that they need to be
on their best behavior every day."
In addition to supporting the Good Sports Are Winners! program,
Little Caesars will also be a sponsor of MHSAA championship events
televised statewide on FOX Sports Net Detroit; a sponsor of the
MHSAA Championship Radio Network for the Girls and Boys Basketball
Semifinals and Finals; and a sponsor of other Association media
and public relations initiatives, including the popular CHAMPS
(Cooperation, Hard work, Attitude, Motivation, Participation,
Sportsmanship) Clinics for junior high/middle school players at
the MHSAA Girls Basketball and Girls Volleyball Finals.
A Class Act During Difficult Time
Flint Powers Catholic High School helped us get through a very
difficult situation on Friday night (Oct. 27), and I cannot compliment
them enough for their compassionate support for our team, coaches,
and fans.
Late Friday afternoon, I received a phone call from FOX Sports
News Network, who offered their condolences. The representative
who called explained that they deal mainly with pro sports but
have a keen interest in high school sports because of the purity
of them. There couldn't have been any better example of that "purity"
than what we experienced on Friday night.
The Powers athletes warmly welcomed our team, they shook hands
and offered condolences, helped players up after tackles, and
some of them even joined our huddle at the end of the game. What
could have been a devastating experience ended up being a healthy
part of their athletes and their athletic program. We at Ogemaw
hold them in high regard for the way they sympathetically handled
our unfortunate situation.
— Ellen Pugh, Athletic
Director
West Branch Ogemaw Heights
Coaching from the Stands
As a regular spectator of junior high boys basketball games, I
noticed the limits being pushed by parents even at that level.
It seemed like a lot of parents had no concept of the fact that
there was a coach present. Many parents shouted less than encouraging
words during the game and some even went down to the court during
half-time to talk one-on-one with their son. Instead of wanting
what was best for their kids, they just want their kids to be
the best.
Involvement in sports can teach you a lot about life – if
you let it. You aren't always going to agree with your coach or
your players, but sometimes you have to go along with it. Andy
you aren't always going to have the best game or do the right
thing, but the important part is whether you try harder or quit.
Parents can get in the way of that process by coaching from the
sidelines.
My basketball coach also had a rule about not looking in the stands
during a basketball game, and I fully agreed with her. I saw no
point in looking to the stands for directions from anybody. If
I was offered advice that didn't agree with my coach's, following
it would pull apart my team. If taking advice from others during
the game was the most successful method, why wouldn't everyone
just practice on their own, with advice form many different sources,
then show up on game day, ready to play? There are important lessons
to be learned about teamwork and following a leader.
This summer I went on Summer Science, a three-week science trip
out west. There were 20 students, and we all were in charge of
setting up our camp, which included preparing all the meals. Each
tent group had five members and took turns making dinner for the
camp. It was interesting to watch as some groups, composed of
five natural born leaders, prepared the dinner. They yelled at
each other during the whole process, each one assuming they knew
more than everyone else. It was quite hilarious and provided very
nice evening entertainment. But the groups that got along the
best had one leader who assigned tasks to each person, to finish
the job the most effectively.
In most instances, having one or two leaders is the most successful.
There is always a boss, a principal, a parent or somebody that
has the final authority on everything.
Maybe some parents expect to accompany their kids to their office
job to be a mediator between their son/daughter and the boss,
and in that case, they should be able to coach their children.
But if that is not the case, participating in sports teams is
an excellent way to learn the importance of respecting a central
authority.
— Concerned Fan
The Spirit of the Game
Hi, Coach; it's me. You may not recognize me…I'm the heart
and soul of each of your players. Whether one of your starters
or a sub, you can be sure that I'm there. I know that some of
these kids may look like adults to you, but they're really still
children trying to make their way though life. I've been struggling
for years to stay strong in their lives and I need your help.
Sometimes it feels I may be losing that battle.
It takes a strong will and a lot of devotion to be an athlete.
They need your support. You are their mentor, their teacher, the
one whom they depend on. You have become their role model, probably
without even being aware of it. They watch you with eager eyes,
listen with intent ears, and want nothing more that to please
you. Yes, they have to accept criticism, yelling, speeches, and
above all, to do so with respect. They can accept exasperation
and frustration, and even anger from you. They know you are human
and feel emotions just as they do. They understand that they make
mistakes, sometimes stupid one at that. They understand that this
frustrates you; it frustrates them, too.
But, please, coach, don't break their spirit. If you could only
see what it does to them when you say hurtful things. Maybe you
didn't stop to and think what your words could do to them or maybe
you didn't realize what an impact you have on their lives. I can
only hope that this is the case, rather than simply not caring.
They can cope with not scoring a touchdown, a goal, a bucket,
a home run. They can cope with not playing at all. But they cannot
cope with belittlement. Please don't tell them they can't; they
just might start believing you. Please don't tell them you have
no confidence in them; they just might lose confidence in themselves.
Please don't humiliate them and call them names; they just might
look in the mirror and see what you describe.
Some of them are holding down jobs, volunteering their time within
the community, and acting as responsible members of our society,
in addition to excelling in school. That takes the ability of
a strong person and you should be proud to have those players
calling you “coach.” But no matter what else they do
in their life, they all have one thing in common–the love
of the game. That's why they're there. That's why you're there.
That's why the fans are there.
Above all, coach, please don't take their dignity. Some things
are just too hard to get back.
— Written by Kay Wrona,
October 1998
(Submitted by Kim Monette with permission)
It is not infrequent that suggestions are made
that the Michigan High School Athletic Association do something
it is not doing, the something being a project that conforms to
the special interest of the one making the suggestion. That person
will usually be incredulous when we respond that the topic of
the project is beyond the authority of the MHSAA or beyond the
capacity of the MHSAA's resources. The criticism is at least implied
that if the MHSAA really cared about kids, it would do this thing
that is important to the critic.
How does the MHSAA decide what it will do?
That an initiative would be good for kids is the over-arching
concern, but that leaves us with a lot more possibilities than
can be attempted much less accomplished with any degree of satisfaction
and success by any organization, much less one operating with
a staff and budget that is smaller than 99 percent of its member
schools.
Therefore, the MHSAA must reduce the field of worthwhile projects.
The first criterion is to determine if the subject matter is a
school district-wide concern or is sport-specific. If the former
– like sexual harassment sensitivity training – then
it is school districts' responsibility to provide the service
for all their faculty, including athletic personnel. If the subject
matter is sport-specific – like weight control in wrestling
– then the MHSAA should consider the possibility that it
is the organization uniquely positioned to assist by providing
leadership and support services to its membership in this narrow
area of athletic-related concern.
The second criterion is to determine if there are any other agencies,
institutions or organizations better positioned or more capable
to provide the service. For example, the American Red Cross is
already in place with programs and personnel to provide first
aid, CPR and sports safety training to athletic personnel throughout
Michigan. So even though it is sports-related, it would create
wasteful duplication for the MHSAA to start doing what the American
Red Cross is fully capable of, prepared to do and already doing.
The third criterion for determining what the MHSAA will do is
to ascertain what its member schools want the association to help
with. Schools have asked for assistance in establishing a minimum
rule for the eligibility of transfer students - so the MHSAA has
promulgated such a standard. But school districts have not asked
for assistance in establishing rules regarding tobacco and alcohol
use – so no MHSAA minimum standard exists.
The MHSAA provides services in the sports sub-set of issues with
which schools must deal, and only after the MHSAA membership identifies
the need and the MHSAA leadership prioritizes all of the identified
needs and provides the resources necessary to address the needs
of highest priority. The result is that the MHSAA registers officials
and trains the trainers of local officials associations; provides
basic training in sport-specific subject matter in its Program
of Athletic Education (PACE); conducts sports rules meetings for
both officials and coaches; conducts Athletic Director In-Service
programs on athletic policies and procedures; provides publications
and programs in sportsmanship; and conducts postseason tournaments
in the sports most commonly sponsored by member schools.
The MHSAA will choose what else to do by the three criteria presented
here. The MHSAA is an organization that cares about young people
but recognizes its limitations, both legal and practical. The
MHSAA has neither the legal authority nor the resources to be
involved in protecting young people at all times and in all places.
In the area of sports, within the limits of the season and the
boundaries of the field of play, the MHSAA has a role of helping
to provide an athletic program that is sportsmanlike, healthy
and consistent with the educational mission of schools.
— John E. “Jack”
Roberts
MHSAA Executive Director
Points to consider for high school coaches, parents and athletes:
• 11, 999 of 12,000 high school athletes will never play college sports.
• Only about 1 athlete in every 10 high schools will play sports in college.
• Less that 1% of high school athletes receive scholarship money to play sports in college.
• Four things most college programs look
for when scouting high school student-athletes:
1. A good academic background, including good GPA and ACT scores.
2. A good all around attitude ranks immediately behind academic
credentials. Is the student athlete coachable, do they possess
a good work ethic, and do they have a positive influence on their
teammates?
3. Does the student athlete have good character? Those student
athletes likely to be untrustworthy, who have trouble following
rules, or are likely to get in trouble with the law usually pose
too many risks for the college program.
4. Athletic ability is also vitally important, but ability alone
is no guarantee one will be recruited by a college athletic program!
• Remember, college freshman student-athletes are required to be processed through the NCAA Clearinghouse if they wish to participate in NCAA Division I or Division II sports. They should contact their high school counselor for information.
— Source: NCAA
Michigan's professional organization of high
school athletic directors, the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic
Administrators Association (MIAAA), has initiated a new annual
program to evaluate and recognize outstanding athletic programs
that greatly serve students, families, communities and schools.
The Exemplary Athletic Program recipients were recognized at halftime
of the Class A championship game on December 2, six schools which
emerged after a thorough review process during the past school
year. Honorees for 1999-00 are Greenville, Okemos, Port Huron,
Richland Gull Lake, Schoolcraft and Swartz Creek High Schools.
Each school considered for the award went through a rigorous screening
process, which included an application process and written documentation
of the program's strengths. Each school also hosted a two-day
on-site visit by a MIAAA evaluation team made up of veteran athletic
administrators.
Greenville participates in Mid-Michigan Athletic Conference. Brian
Zdanowski, Greenville's athletic administrator, stated that, "Earning
the Exemplary Athletic Program honor is a tribute to Greenville's
staff and community. Greenville has also been recognized as an
exemplary school by the state of Michigan, so it is nice to see
that the athletic program is in line with our academics."
Greenville's interscholastic athletic program is organized as
a system to provide developmental skills at the beginning levels
to a wide range of athletes leading to a varsity-level program
for the most athletically talented students. All students are
encouraged to participate in athletic competition or the intramural
program to create an interest in life-long recreational activities.
Okemos is a member of the Capital Circuit League, and has an affiliation
with the Central Michigan Swim League. Its athletic tradition
is one that provides 24 athletic programs to aid 650 student-athletes
in the development of favorable habits and attitudes that will
prepare them for adult life in a democratic society. The athletic
program is currently teaming up to find new ways to educate athletes
on nutrition and healthy eating habits, self-confidence and leadership.
Keith Froelich, athletic administrator stated, "It was an
honor to receive this award. It is a credit to athletic staff,
community, and district support. The success of our programs can
be attributed to our coaching staff's longevity and hard work."
Port Huron has over 100 years of athletic tradition. Athletic
Director Ken Semelsberger began his tenure at Port Huron in 1983
and is currently serving as the President of the MIAAA. On being
honored, Semelsberger stated that the "Entire Port Huron
community is excited about receiving this prestigious award. It
is a definite reflection of the attitude of our parents, staff,
administration, student body and student athletes. We are all
proud of our school and our community."
The philosophy of this athletic program is that participation,
sportsmanship, and strong academic performance will assist students
to be well-rounded individuals with the skills and character to
be good, contributing citizens.
The athletic department at Richland Gull Lake is an integral part
of the school system and the community. Athletic Director Marc
Throop states, "We have been blessed by having athletes and
coaches who have always placed their emphasis on the educational
nature of athletics. These individuals are keenly aware of the
importance that educational athletics has in our school. At Gull
Lake, we believe that athletics teaches the qualities of cooperation,
teamwork, sacrifice and dedication…these are among the most
important lessons learned by our student-athletes."
Enrolling nearly 900 students, schools' teams have won the "All
Sports Champion" trophy in the Wolverine "B" Conference
for an unprecedented 16 years in a row.
Schoolcraft is a member of the St. Joseph Valley League and is
very proud of the nine conference sportsmanship awards won during
the past 16 years. Because of the firm belief in the concept of
"team," the athletic department does not promote individuals.
There is not a "Hall of Fame," nor are "Most Valuable
Player" awards given out.
Athletic Director Ted Manning states, "At Schoolcraft, we
truly believe that the experience derived from participating in
athletics only enriches the academic skills acquired during the
school day. The qualities of cooperation, teamwork, sacrifice
and dedication are among the most important that athletic participation
offers. We feel that the athletic experience only compliments
and enhances the classroom experience and since 65 to 70 percent
of our school population participate in athletics, most of our
students graduate from high school having received the benefits
that athletics offer."
Swartz Creek has been a member of the Big Nine Conference since
the early 80s, where it has been recognized for excellence in
athletic programs. Tim Bearden, Swartz Creek's athletic director,
stated, "The process was a great form of self-assessment.
We learned a lot about ourselves and the good things we were already
doing, as well as areas where we could improve.
"We are very excited about the recognition for what it says
about our community, our student-athletes, and our staff,"
Bearden continued. "There are many people in Swartz Creek
working to make our athletic program one of which we can all be
proud, and this award is a nice recognition of those continued
efforts. We are flattered and proud to receive an award that truly
recognizes the importance of educational athletics, and that there
is much more to an interscholastic program than wins and losses."
Despite attempts to educate young athletes
on the importance of proper and well-balanced nutrition, the number
of athletes with eating disorders continues to rise. The highest
percentage of athletes with eating disorders occurs with females
and in sports such as gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, and
wrestling.
It is important for coaches, parents and trainers to be conscious
of the signs and potential dangers that are associated with eating
disorders. It is necessary that athletes be made aware of how
important it is to eat properly and that drastic measures to become
thin should be avoided. The two most prominent eating disorders
are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Some of the signs and
symptoms associated with these disorders are listed below.
Anorexia
Excessive exercise
Muscle weakness
Excuse for not eating meals
Always cold
Pale complexion
Bulimia
Binge eating
Depression
Bathroom visits after eating
Vomiting
Tooth decay
If you feel that someone has such a disorder, there are some things
you should and should not do. When confronting the person whom
you feel may have an eating disorder, remember that the problem
isn't just about food; usually these disorders can be caused by
some other emotional pain. It is also important to remember that
there are some things that should be avoided when approaching
the individual with the eating disorder.
When Confronting Someone With An Eating
Disorder
•Avoid talking about weight loss and food
•Don't try to force eating on them
•Listen to what they have to say, don't be judgmental
•Encourage them to get help
•Assure them that you are willing to help and that you care
When approached, the person may initially react
by denying that there is anything wrong. In this case back off
and don't push the issue. Let the person know that you will be
there, if and when they want to talk. You have brought it to their
attention and have to remember that they have to want to help
themselves and sometimes this is difficult to understand.
Once the individual decided they want and need help, there are
various choices for recovery. One option, is group therapy. There
are many types of groups and they can meet in various settings.
Some include private homes, hospitals, treatment centers, high
schools, etc. There is also one-on-one therapy which can be provided
by psychologists, social workers and dietitians. Facilities that
offer in-patient therapy are also an option, depending on the
person and the facility. The stay there can be form a few weeks
to several months. In some communities there are church groups,
support groups, and various other means of achieving the same
goal of recovery. It is important to decide what form of treatment
is best suited for the individual and go from there. They need
to feel comfortable and safe in the environment.
No matter how much you want to help, you have to remember that
the person with the eating disorder has to acknowledge it and
they have to make the choice to get help themselves.
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL BAT STANDARDS
Reminder: The National Federation rule book requirements for bats used in baseball and softball have undergone changes. The softball change occurred Jan. 1, 2000. The baseball change becomes effective Jan. 1, 2001.
BASEBALL - NEW REQUIREMENTS (Rule 1-3-5)
— EFFECTIVE JAN. 1, 2001
Maximum diameter: 2 5/8 inches
Length: 36 inches or less
Weight: A bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces
less than the length of the bat (e.g. a 35-inch long bat cannot
be less than 32 ounces.
SOFTBALL - CONTINUED REQUIREMENTS (Rule
1-3-5) — EFFECTIVE JAN. 1, 2000
Maximum diameter: 2 1/4 inches
Length: 34 inches or less
Meet ASA bat performance standard:
• labeled with ASA approved certification mark
• be listed on ASA web site (www.softball.org)
NOTE: While the
rules only govern competition, it may be advisable to remove from
your 7-12 grade inventory all bats that do not meet the standards
so they are not used in any practices, scrimmages or games.