MHSAA February 2000 Bulletin

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

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 these minutes.)

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 secondary role 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 their participation.

Consistent with rulings of the Attorney General and Michigan Supreme Court, schools are not bound by the decisions of the Executive Committee, but the Association may limit participation in the post-season 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, and the MHSAA exercises no independent authority over schools or students.

Capac 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 9th-grade student who is the daughter of a Capac High School teacher and who enrolled Oct. 25, 1999, having previously attended Grand Blanc High School where she did not participate in any school athletics.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Carson City-Crystal 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 9th-grade student who, prior to Nov. 8, 1999, attended Carson City Fellowship Baptist School where she did not participate in any sport in which the MHSAA conducts a postseason tournament.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Decatur High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who in both 9th and 10th grades spent the first semester at Decatur High School and the second semester at Paw Paw High School. Noting there have now been four school changes and that there has been no indication why the transfers were caused by or necessary for treatment of medical conditions, the Executive Committee denied the request for waiver at its Oct. 13, 1999 meeting.

Based on the additional information submitted, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Detroit-St. Martin De Porres High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student who transferred to De Porres in September of 1999, having previously attended Detroit-Kettering. On Sept. 22, while in his home, the student was the object of a handgun attack related to a school situation. He relocated to his aunt and uncle's home and transferred to De Porres Sept. 27. At its Nov. 17, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee tabled this item pending receipt of additional information.

Based on the additional information submitted, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Pontiac-Notre Dame Preparatory (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility only at the sub-varsity level was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who enrolled Sept. 16, 1999, having previously attended Rochester-Adams High School where he did not participate in any sports.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Sturgis High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Sturgis High School requested assistance with interpreting the eligibility of a student who was home schooled prior to the 1998-99 school year when he enrolled at Sturgis-Lake Area Christian School. During the second semester, he took a three-hour building trades class at Sturgis High School through the St. Joseph County ISD program which required the student be enrolled at Sturgis. The student has enrolled full-time at Sturgis High School for 1999-00.

The Executive Committee determined that the student did not meet the requirement of the transfer regulation and that waiver should not be granted.

Tawas City-Tawas Area High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who attended Tawas Area High School while living with his family in Tawas. On Oct. 4, 1999, he transferred to Beaverton High School where his father has a business and a second residence where he stayed with his father during the week. All are now living in Tawas where the student re-enrolled Nov. 8.

Because of the short duration and lack of participation and because the student has returned to the same residence and school, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Wyoming-Kelloggsville 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 9th-grade student who previously attended Academy of Health and Science where he did not participate in any MHSAA tournament sponsored sports program.

The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Dryden High School (Regulation V, Section 3[C]) - An Oct. 1, 1999 varsity football game at Armada High School was ended by officials with 6:05 remaining in the third quarter because of sportsmanship problems the officials attributed to Dryden High School, whose principal submitted a written report of the school's follow-up, which included meetings with ejected players, meetings with coaches and sportsmanship drills for the team. At its Nov. 17, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee accepted the school's follow-up except with respect to coaches, requesting that more information be provided by the school, which was subsequently received.

The Executive Committee accepted the school's action without the requirement of an appearance at a future meeting.

Lansing-Sexton High School (Classification) - Request was made to waive the Aug. 15 deadline for notification of desire to compete in Division 1 of the MHSAA Wrestling Tournaments, which until this year was where the school's enrollment placed it.

Noting that Division 1 is where the school has participated in the past and intends to participate in 2000-01, the Executive Committee granted the request for the school to participate in 1999-00 MHSAA Wrestling Tournaments.

Inkster High School - At its August 1997 meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed the record of MHSAA Handbook violations by this school and determined that the 1997-98 membership of Inkster High School be held in abeyance until its superintendent, principal and athletic director met at the MHSAA office with the executive director to show cause why the school's membership should not be suspended or its membership privileges not be reduced. At its September 1997 meeting, the Executive Committee reviewed the actions of Inkster High School to eliminate the violations of Handbook policies and procedures that have plagued the school in recent years, accepted the school's membership for 1997-98, and requested the executive director provide at the Executive Committee's June 1998 meeting a review of Inkster High School's compliance record during 1997-98. At that meeting, it was reported that one violation, failure to rate any boys basketball officials during the 1997-98 season, was known to have occurred during the 1997-98 school year. At its June 10, 1998 meeting, the Executive Committee determined to continue the school's probationary status through the 1998-99 school year and requested that the executive director report to the Executive Committee in June 1999 about the school's compliance efforts during that year. After that report to the Executive Committee, Inkster High School had two violations: (1) Regulation II, Section 8(B) - failure to attend a Boys Tennis Rules Meeting or the head coach to pass the rules examination; and (2) Regulation II, Section 7(B) - failure to rate any officials in girls volleyball. In addition, the MHSAA had been contacted by the United Federation of Officials about failure by Inkster Public Schools to pay officials.

At its June 9, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee determined that Inkster High School remain on probation through the 1999-00 school year and that the executive director communicate with the school's administration about the two violations and ways to improve its procedures for payments to officials. After that, Inkster had these additional violations for 1998-99:

Baseball - failure to rate any officials.

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

Softball - failure to rate any officials.

At the Aug. 18, 1999 meeting of the Executive Committee, 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 Inkster 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. The only response was a Sept. 16 telephone call from the new athletic director to inquire what she needed to do. Therefore, at its Oct. 13, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee requested that MHSAA staff meet with the new athletic director, other administrators and board members regarding the association's expectations for institutional control over its program. Subsequently, the athletic director resigned and another was appointed.

The latest event of concern was the failure of Inkster High School to show for its MHSAA Girls Basketball District Tournament game at River Rouge on Nov. 18, 1999.

On Nov. 23, 1999, the new athletic director, interim superintendent and a board of education member met with three MHSAA staff to review problems and solutions.

The Executive Committee voted to continue probation for Inkster High School through the 2000-01 school year and requested staff continue to monitor the school's administration of its interscholastic athletic program.

Representative Council - The Executive Committee reviewed the schedule and agenda for the Dec. 1, 1999 meeting.

Next Meetings - The next meeting of the Executive Committee is Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing. Thereafter, the committee will meet Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing (with the Finance Committee Meeting to follow); Thursday, March 23, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing; Wednesday, April 19, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing (with the Finance Committee Meeting to follow); Saturday, May 6, at 6:15 p.m. in Gaylord; and Wednesday, June 14, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing. n

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL MEETING

Grand Rapids, December 2, 1999

Presentation - Pat Richardson of Grass Lake and Jim Okler of Grosse Ile, both representing the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association, addressed the Representative Council on classification of track and field and cross country, the details of a Team Track and Field Meet, and the date for the Regional and Final Cross Country Tournaments.

Accounts of Meetings - Motion by William Newkirk, supported by Randy Salisbury, to approve the following accounts of meetings:

Representative Council Meeting of May 2-4, 1999;

Executive Committee Meeting of May 1, 1999, with the following corrections as they appeared in the August 1999 Bulletin on page 19, lines 19 to end of left column and lines 1-24 of right column:

"Watervliet-Grace Christian High School (Regulation I, Section 1[D]) - Request was made to waive the enrollment regulation to permit the school to allow 8th grade girls to participate in sub-varsity basketball in the 1999 season. The school's enrollment was 84 for 1998-99 and will be 82 for 1999-00.

"The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver and referred to the Representative Council consideration of raising the 75-student threshold for 8th-graders' participation.

"Madison Heights-Bishop Foley High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request to waive the transfer regulation to permit eligibility at the sub-varsity level was made on behalf of a 9th-grade student who enrolled at Bishop Foley on Nov. 17, 1998, and did not participate in school sports at her previous high school but who did play in six junior varsity girls soccer matches this spring before it was discovered she is ineligible. The school has forfeited those six contests. If waiver were granted, the school would withhold this student from six contests.

"The Executive Committee granted the request to waive the regulation to permit the student to participate at the sub-varsity level during the remainder of the 1998-99 school year after the student is withheld from six contests.

"Monroe-St. Mary Catholic Central High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a student of divorced parents who attended parochial schools in Erie, Michigan through 8th grade, attended Temperance-Bedford High School for 9th grade in 1997-98, relocated to his father's residence and attended 10th grade at Vicksburg High School in 1998-99, and has registered for St. Mary Catholic Central High School for 11th grade in 1999-00 when he will return to his mother's residence. He played football at Vicksburg without an Educational Transfer Form being filed.

"The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

"Regulation I, Section 9 - The Executive Committee determined that Interpretation No. 60 does not apply to a student who registers for a school but has not enrolled and attended class when his/her family move into a new public school district. The 'catch-up provision' of No. 60 affects only those students who are enrolled at and are attending class at one school when their parent(s) relocates from one school district to another."

Executive Committee Meeting of June 9, 1999, with the following change to the August Bulletin, page 21, left column, lines 34-40:

"Napoleon, East Jackson and Manchester High Schools (Regulation I, Section 1[E]) - The Executive Committee approved the addition of Manchester High School to a cooperative program that originally included Napoleon, East Jackson, Vandercook Lake and Brooklyn-Columbia Central. Vandercook Lake and Columbia Central withdrew involvement for 1998-99. Napoleon remains the primary school. The combined enrollment is 1,259."

Executive Committee Meetings of Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 13, and Nov. 17 1999;

Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee Meetings of Sept. 24 and Nov. 4, 1999;

Board of Canvassers Meetings of Sept. 17 and Oct. 6, 1999.

Legislation - The executive director reported that there were no efforts to resuscitate the legislative initiatives of the previous spring which would have allowed unenrolled students to participate on school sports teams and resulted in forceful opposition by school boards, administrators, coaches and parents. He reported that a bill had passed the Senate and House and signed by the Governor (Public Act 187) to prohibit the promotion or distribution by public school employees and volunteers of dietary supplements that claim to enhance athletic performance, including androstenedione and creatine.

Litigation - Attorney Edmund Sikorski updated Council members on the status of two legal actions in progress in which the MHSAA is a defendant.

Administration - The executive director reviewed plans for the MHSAA Annual Business Meeting on Dec. 2, 1999.

The executive director reported that during the fall, the MHSAA had provided 26 "mini-grants" for sportsmanship initiatives at the league or local level, totaling $9,530 and, in addition, had provided $9,000 to the Ruster Foundation for sportsmanship initiatives, including a $5,000 general use grant and twenty $200 grants to support specific local initiatives that were not already being supported financially by the MHSAA. In total, the MHSAA had provided $18,530. Not counting the $5,000 general use gift to the Ruster Foundation, the MHSAA helped to support financially 46 different sportsmanship events, involving approximately 400 schools and more than 5,000 students.

Results of the 1999 Update Meeting survey were reviewed by the executive director, with special attention given to responses to survey questions relating to items on the Representative Council's agenda.

The November survey of tennis schools indicated support for No. 4 doubles in the MHSAA Regional and Final Tennis Tournaments, which will be an action item for the Representative Council's May agenda.

It was reported that the closing date for the fourth and final available parcel of Ramblewood Park Condominium has been delayed until late January and that the purchaser is being required to pay the association $3,888 to have the closing delayed.

The 1999 Football Playoffs, for which the field of qualifying teams had been doubled to 256, was briefly reviewed with the indication that the expanded format had met most peoples' objectives including increasing the number of qualifying teams, inclusion of more teams with strong winning records and excluding teams with losing records, and equalizing the percentage of schools which qualify for the Football Playoffs in each of the four classes. Ideas for improvement of the Football Playoffs will be considered by the MHSAA Football Committee in January and presented to the Representative Council at its March or May meeting.

Authenticating Mark - At its meeting Dec. 2, 1998, the Representative Council determined that the National Federation Authenticating Mark would not be required on any game ball for any sport on any level in 1999-00 involving MHSAA member schools, and that this topic would be revisited in December 1999. It is now apparent that most manufacturers will have a high school product stamped by the 2000-01 school year, raise their prices 50 cents and send 25 cents the National Federation. It is likely that schools still will have inventory of unstamped balls to use in 2000-01.

Motion by Randy Salisbury, supported by Dan Flynn, that the Representative Council make no change in MHSAA policy for 2000-01 (the Authenticating Mark will not be required for any contest on any level in any sport) and that the Council review this topic again at its December 2000 meeting. Adopted.

Ice Hockey - In March of 1999, the Representative Council reviewed concerns for conduct during the 1998-99 ice hockey season and voted to convene in April a meeting of 1999 MHSAA District, Regional and Final Tournament Managers and others to address ice hockey conduct concerns, to bring a report of that meeting to the Representative Council in May and to consider some additional actions. In May of 1999, the Representative Council heard about the successful April meeting and voted that attendance by a school's athletic director, principal or superintendent at a meeting held 30 minutes prior to the regular rules meetings at one of seven sites would be an entry requirement for the 1999-00 MHSAA Ice Hockey Tournament.

On Sept. 29, 1999, the MHSAA Ice Hockey Committee approved the agenda for those meetings that were held in October, and also adopted the recommendation that the MHSAA sponsor annually at its office an in-service program for schools and coaches new to hockey with guest presenters from member schools including administrators, coaches and officials.

Motion by Eric Federico, supported by Gerry David, to approve such meetings on a voluntary basis as a service to schools which are new to their sponsorship of ice hockey. Adopted.

Non-Traditional Schools and Students - The Representative Council reviewed the results of three task forces which conducted meetings, open to the public, in three parts of Michigan, for the purpose of considering ways to better promote the options that currently exist for students who are less than full time at a particular school to participate in interscholastic athletics for that school, and to also consider ideas for expanding those opportunities. The consensus of the task force meetings and the overwhelming sentiment in responses to the 1999 MHSAA Update Meeting survey was that no additional opportunities need to be created by the MHSAA. However, the Council did suggest that the summary of policies that had been provided at the Update Meetings be distributed to superintendents, athletic director, principals and counselors of schools, to ISDs, and to the Department of Education.

Classification - Mr. Alto and Mr. Flynn reported that consensus is lacking but progress is being made on the subject of classification of MHSAA Upper Peninsula tournaments. It is expected that a recommendation may be made to the Representative Council for its May meeting, and the staff will provide a history of Upper Peninsula tournaments at that time.

Motion by Keith Eldred, supported by Tom Rashid, to implement the 20 percent modification, effective with the 2000-01 school year, to reduce the enrollment range in Division 4 of the MHSAA Boys and Girls Soccer Tournaments. Adopted.

Motion by Keith Eldred, supported by Norm Johnson, to reclassify the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Boys and Girls Track and Field and Cross Country Tournaments into four equal divisions. Adopted. Pursuant to Representative Council action in May of 1999, this is effective with the spring, 2000 MHSAA Track and Field Meet.

Team Track and Field Meet - Pursuant to Representative Council directive last May, staff provided a presentation of the possible formats and impact of an MHSAA Lower Peninsula Team Track and Field Meet. Discussion ensued.

Softball Venue - At its December 1998 meeting, the Representative Council expressed support of the MHSAA's participation in enhancement of softball facilities at the Bailey Park complex in Battle Creek. Enhancements of the bleachers, dugout, press box and fencing (including permanent outfield fencing at approximately 225 feet for the championship diamond) have been estimated to cost $205,000. The City of Battle Creek Park and Recreation Department has set aside $85,000 to assist.

Motion by Paul Ellinger, supported by Randy Salisbury, that the MHSAA pledge $60,000, payable over two years and in exchange for waiver of facility expenses and fees related to the MHSAA Softball Finals for a minimum of six years after completion. Adopted.

Basketball - The Council considered the negative impact on the business and administration of the MHSAA of conducting the MHSAA Boys Basketball Semifinals and Finals during traditional vacation periods and also of rescheduling the Boys Basketball Tournament so, for example, District and Regional Boys Basketball Tournaments would coincide with Girls Volleyball Districts and Regionals and Regional Boys Basketball Tournaments would coincide with MHSAA Final Tournaments in Girls Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Swimming and Diving and Individual Wrestling.

Motion by William Newkirk, supported by Joyce Seals, that the staff examine alternative schedules for winter tournaments in 2005 but that no tournament occur on Easter weekend. Adopted.

Golf Cooperative Programs - Regulation I, Section 1(F) allows cooperative programs without regard to a maximum combined enrollment of the schools involved for sports that are sponsored by 250 or fewer schools. There are currently 257 schools which sponsor girls golf, including 36 in the Upper Peninsula and several in the Lower Peninsula which historically have not completed the season or entered the MHSAA post-season tournament. At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee determined that cooperative program applications in girls golf would continue to be accepted for processing without regard to the Class B enrollment maximum until the Oct. 15, 1999 deadline for the spring sport cooperative programs, and that the Representative Council should provide guidance for the future.

Motion by Paul Ellinger, supported by Joyce Seals, that the Executive Committee continue to have the authority to approve cooperative programs in girls golf until the total number of Lower Peninsula girls golf programs reaches 250. Adopted.

Administrative Violations and Penalties - At its Aug. 18, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee requested that the Representative Council consider the possibility of publishing in the MHSAA Bulletin the names of schools whose head coaches fail to attend rules meetings or pass the examination and imposing penalties that reduce or eliminate MHSAA tournament reimbursements, hosting opportunities and participation privileges.

Motion by Mike Shibler, supported by Joyce Seals, that the MHSAA Bulletin list the names of schools whose head coaches fail to attend a rules meeting or pass the examination and that further consideration of other actions be delayed until the December 2000 meeting of the Representative Council. Adopted.

Regular-Season Contest Delays - Motion by William Newkirk, supported by Eric Federico, to approve the following policy when a league or conference does not have a written policy regarding late contest start times:

When a league or conference does not have a written policy regarding late contest start time, the following MHSAA policy will apply:

1. If a team fails to arrive for a regular season contest at the time stated on the contract, it will be necessary for the host administration to delay the contest, declare the game forfeited, reschedule the contest, or declare the event "no contest."

2. If the host management has been notified of the reason for the delay and projected arrival, the officials must stand by for 60 minutes beyond the scheduled starting time. When the team arrives, a reasonable amount of time must be provided for the visiting team to conduct a pregame warm-up. In any case, warm-up may not be less than 15 minutes.

3. If the host management has not been notified that there is a delay and the reason for it, the officials have permission to leave the site, without obligation, 30 minutes after the contracted start time has passed.

In MHSAA tournament play, the General Information Bulletin for each sport will prescribe the specific action to be taken.

MIAAA Exemplary Athletic Program - Motion by Randy Salisbury, supported by Paul Ellinger, that the MHSAA make its Football Finals available as the venue for honoring those schools whose athletic programs are designated "exemplary programs" through the self-assessment program developed by the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Adopted.

National Federation Rule Publications - Motion by Tom Rashid, supported by Eric Federico, to continue the policy of providing National Federation rule books to member schools and officials. Adopted.

Awards - Associate Director Jerry Cvengros reported that there were nine nominees for the 11th Women in Sports Leadership Award and that the Awards Committee narrowed the candidates to four, which were presented to the Representative Council. Council members were asked to vote for one candidate. The name of the recipient will be released at an appropriate time and the recipient will be honored during the awards luncheon of the 2000 Women in Sports Leadership Conference.

Mr. Cvengros reported that there were 13 nominees for the Charles E. Forsythe Award and that the Awards Committee narrowed the candidates to five, which were presented to the Representative Council members for a ballot vote. The names of the recipients will be released at an appropriate time and the recipients will be honored during the 2000 Class B Boys Basketball Finals Tournament game.

Motion by William Newkirk, supported by Joyce Seals, to approve the Awards Committee recommendation that MHSAA staff be allowed to vote with the Awards Committee for candidates for presentation to the Council for the Allen W. Bush Award. Adopted.

Meeting Expenses - Expenses for this meeting were approved at the specified hotel rates for accommodations and parking, the IRS specified meal allowance and a 30¢ per mile mileage allowance round-trip.

Future Meetings - The next meeting of the Representative Council will be held on Friday, March 24, 2000, 8:15 a.m. at the MHSAA building in East Lansing. The spring meeting of the Representative Council will be May 7-9, 2000, at Marsh Ridge in Gaylord.

The meeting was adjourned. n

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL MEETING

Grand Rapids, December 1, 1999

Election of Officers - Officers elected to serve through the fall, 2000 meeting of the Representative Council were President Paul Ellinger, Vice-President Dennis Kniola, and Secretary-Treasurer Tom Rashid.

The president appointed Dan Flynn to serve on the Executive Committee on a regular basis during 2000, with the fifth position filled on a rotating basis by other Council members.

William Newkirk and Michael Shibler were invited to serve with the president and secretary-treasurer on the MHSAA Finance Committee for 2000.

Selection of Appointed Members - According to the MHSAA Constitution, "It is the annual responsibility of the Council to ascertain that the Council elective process has provided for the representation of females and minorities. If, in the judgment of the Council, these results have not been achieved, said Council shall appoint not to exceed four Representative Council members-at-large for two-year terms."

The Representative Council appointed Melvin Atkins, Director of Athletics for the Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Judy Raica, Principal at North Branch High School, to two-year terms on the Representative Council.

Council members and staff expressed gratitude to two retiring Council members, Robert Grimes and Geraldine David.

The meeting was adjourned. n

ATKINS AND RAICA APPOINTED TO COUNCIL

It is the annual responsibility of the Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association to ascertain that the Council elective process has provided for representation of females and minorities. If, in the judgment of the Council, these results have not been achieved, the Council may appoint up to four (total) members-at-large for two-year terms.

As a result, on Dec. 1, 1999, the MHSAA Representative Council appointed Melvin Atkins, Director of Athletics for the Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Judy Raica, Principal at North Branch High School.

The two other appointed members are Dewayne Jones, Athletic Director at West Bloomfield High School, and Earl Rickman who serves on the Mt. Clemens Board of Education.n

COUNCIL OFFICERS ELECTED

Paul Ellinger, Superintendent of Cheboygan Area Schools, was elected President of the MHSAA Representative Council for 2000 at the Council's Dec. 1, 1999, meeting in Grand Rapids. He has served on the Representative Council for 14 years while serving the school districts of Deerfield, Beal City and Hartford.

Reelected Vice-President for 2000 was Dennis Kniola, Principal of Stevensville-Lakeshore Middle School, who has served on the Council for 15 years, from 1983 to 1985 and from 1986 to present.

Reelected Secretary-Treasurer was Tom Rashid, who has served as the private and parochial school representative on the Council since 1988. Mr. Rashid is Director of Health, Athletics, Physical Education and Safety for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Mr. Ellinger has appointed 11-year Council veteran Dan Flynn of Escanaba to serve as the permanent member of the MHSAA Executive Committee for 2000. The fifth position on the Executive Committee rotates from meeting to meeting.

Appointed by the President to serve on the Finance Committee with him and the Secretary-Treasurer during 2000 were William Newkirk, Superintendent at Sanford-Meridian Public Schools, and Michael Shibler, Superintendent at Rockford Public Schools. Mr. Newkirk has served on the Representative Council for 11 years; Mr. Shibler has served 4 years. n

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING OF THE MHSAA

Grand Rapids, December 2, 1999

The Annual Business Meeting of the Michigan High School Athletic Association was held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City on Thursday morning, Dec. 2, 1999, in conjunction with a breakfast provided by the MHSAA for attendees at the annual convention of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.

MHSAA Representative Council President Paul Ellinger presided. Tom Rashid, Secretary-Treasurer, commented briefly on the budget for 1999-00 and on the audit for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1999.

Executive Director John E. Roberts reviewed the 1998-99 program year of the MHSAA (see page 358 of this Bulletin). He also provided highlights of the Council meeting of Dec. 1, 1999; and recognized Robert Grimes for his 16 years of Council service, including three years as President.n

REPORT OF ACTIVITIES OF THE MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

SCHOOL YEAR - 1998-99

PUBLICATIONS - Monthly Bulletin distributed to junior and senior high schools and registered officials; Officials Directory and School Directory and calendars prepared; Book of Champions published; MHSAA Handbook distributed to junior and senior high schools; rule books for football, basketball, track, swimming, wrestling, gymnastics, soccer, softball, spirit, ice hockey, volleyball, and baseball distributed to schools and registered officials; blanks and forms were distributed to schools. Stripes and Mentor were published and distributed to all registered officials and head coaches, respectively. The Officials' Guidebook was published for distribution to all prospective officials. The Coaches Guidebook was published and distributed to all schools. The Competitive Cheer Manual was published for the sixth time.

RULES MEETINGS/CLINICS - General meetings and rules meetings held in baseball/softball, competitive cheer, football, basketball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, golf, wres-tling, gymnastics, volleyball, soccer, and ice hockey for coaches and registered officials. The Officials Awards and Alumni Banquet honored 20 and 30-year officials. Special meetings were conducted for coaches association presidents and league and conference executives. Tournament managers meetings were held in most sports. Meetings were held with representatives of local officials associations. An ad hoc Officials Review Committee was convened to develop initiatives to better serve and support officials, local officials associations and officials assignors. In-service programs for officials assignors and sessions to train the basketball, football, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, baseball and softball trainers of approved officials associations were conducted. The 11th Women in Sports Leadership Conference was held. Meetings for competitive cheer judges and coaches were held separately across the state for the sixth time.

COMMITTEES - Over 300 different individuals served on Association committees during the 1998-99 school year.

PARTICIPANTS - Approximately 256,000 students were members of interscholastic athletic squads of the 731 member high schools during the 1998-99 school year.

REGISTERED OFFICIALS - There were 11,066 officials registered in one or more sports during the year.

UPDATE MEETINGS - Meetings for 1,221 people were conducted during the fall in Frankenmuth, Kalamazoo, East Lansing, Gaylord, Pontiac, Comstock Park and Marquette.

PACE SEMINARS - There were approximately 775 participants who completed one or more courses in the Program of Athletic Coaches' Education at sites throughout the state during the 1998-99 school year.

ATHLETIC DIRECTORS IN-SERVICE - 284 athletic directors participated in the Athletic Directors In-Service programs at nine sites throughout the state during August 1998. n

REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL & U.P. ATHLETIC

COMMITTEE NOMINATION PROCEDURES FOR 2000-01

The Representative Council has established procedures for indicating the intention to run for elected positions on the MHSAA Representative Council.

1. Any individual who is a representative of a member school (administrator, faculty member or board of education member) may submit his or her name to the MHSAA office by March 15.

A. Candidates must have superintendent or principal approval in writing.

B. It is essential that candidates be qualified for the position they seek.

1) If the position is for a representative of a certain area of the state, they must represent a school of the appropriate class (A and B or C and D) in that geographic area.

2) If they seek the position of a statewide at large representative, they must be a faculty or board of education member of an MHSAA member school. This includes administrators but not non-faculty coaches.

3) If they seek the position of statewide representative of junior high/middle schools or private and parochial high schools, they must be faculty (teacher or administrator) or board members for such schools.

2. Names submitted will be published in the May Bulletin and typed on the ballot mailed to member schools in September.

Elections will be held in the fall for the following positions:

Class A and B Schools--3 openings

Northern Lower Peninsula

Southwestern Section

Southeastern Section

Class C and D Schools--2 openings

Upper Peninsula

Northern Lower Peninsula

Statewide At-Large--1 opening statewide

Junior High/Middle Schools--1 opening

Private and Parochial--1 opening

The procedures established for indicating the intention to run for elected positions are the same for the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee as those stated above for the Representative Council.

Elections will be held in the fall for the following:

Class D U.P. School--1 opening

Athletic Coach--1 opening n

2000-01 MHSAA COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP NOMINATIONS

A procedure has been adopted by the Representative Council to select MHSAA committee members. In the early spring of 2000, all superintendents, principals, athletic directors, and coaches who desire to serve on MHSAA committees may submit their names for nomination. This is a summary of the make-up and responsibilities of MHSAA standing committees:

DESCRIPTION OF MHSAA COMMITTEES

SPORT COMMITTEES

1. Consist of a balance of administrators and varsity coaches in the particular sport, plus the president of the coaches association for that sport.

2. Responsible for:

(a) recommending to the Representative Council changes regarding MHSAA regulations relative to the sport.

(b) recommending to the staff procedures, sites, and assignments for the MHSAA tournament in that sport.

Baseball/Softball, Basketball, Comp. Cheer, Cross Country/Track & Field, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Skiing, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEES

1. Consist of administrators.

2. Responsible for selecting sites and assigning teams for all levels of MHSAA tournaments in the particular sport.

Girls & Boys Basketball (meets twice), Cross Country/Track & Field Site Selection, Track & Field Standards

SEEDING COMMITTEES

1. Consist of tournament managers and varsity coaches.

2. Responsible for determining seeded players and their positions in each flight and for assisting the tournament managers in conducting the tournament draw. Must have knowledge of players statewide and rules for making the draw.

Girls Tennis Area Seeding Directors, Boys Tennis Area Seeding Directors

OFFICIAL SELECTION COMMITTEES

1. Consist of tournament managers, athletic directors and coaches.

2. Responsible for selecting officials for most levels of tournaments in most sports.

Baseball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Competitive Cheer, Football, Girls Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Softball, Girls Volleyball, Wrestling.

OTHER STANDING COMMITTEES (Established and appointed by the Representative Council for specific purposes)

1. Athletic Equity Committee -- Committee is to meet once a year to recommend to the Representative Council annual objectives designed to encourage participation by more women and minorities in interscholastic coaching, officiating, and administrative positions.

2. Awards Committee -- This committee meets once as a group and corresponds throughout the year to establish policies and procedures and screen candidates for four MHSAA awards: Forsythe, Bush, Norris, and Women in Sports Leadership.

3. Classification Committee -- The committee meets annually to study and make recommendations to staff and Council regarding policies and procedures of classifying schools for tournaments and elections. It consists of two representatives each from MASB, MASA, MASSP and MIAAA, plus other appointees to assume adequate representation of all sizes and types of schools.

4. Board of Canvassers -- Comprised of a superintendent, two high school principals, one junior high/middle school principal and one athletic director. Members are responsible for counting the ballots for the election of Representative Council members and members of the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee. Generally, the committee meets only once, but in the event of ties or runoffs, the entire committee or a portion of the committee returns to count runoff ballots.

5. Junior High/Middle School Committee -- This committee is comprised of junior high/middle school principals and athletic directors to review rules and regulations as they pertain to junior high/middle schools.

6. Scholar-Athlete Committee -- Established to administer the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete program, this committee consists of approximately 30 people who agree to attend two of three scheduled meetings each year and review award applications through correspondence.

Criteria for Nomination and Selection of MHSAA Committee Members

There are several criteria to consider before completing the Nomination Form:

1. Coaches should be on the school faculty and able to obtain release time from school.

2. The nominee should have at least two years of experience in the position currently holding.

3. Most committees require only a one meeting date commitment at the MHSAA building in East Lansing. Committee meetings are held during the work week.

Appointments to committees are based on the following criteria:

1. Committees should have male, female, and minority membership which reflects the total pool of available personnel.

2. Committees should maintain geographic and class size representation.

3. Some administrators will be appointed to sport committees.

4. The coaches association president/secretary of each sport is appointed to that sport committee, if the person is a school employee. If the President/Secretary is not a school employee, the Association must send a designee who is an administrator, faculty member or board of education member of an MHSAA member school.

Names of nominees will be submitted to the Representative Council for selection.

Over 300 people will be selected from the list of nominees submitted to serve on 38 MHSAA committees.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX

Recently I was asked what I foresaw for interscholastic athletics and the Michigan High School Athletic Association in the new year/decade ahead.

I responded that there was no policy or program that I had a burning desire to initiate. Rather, I hoped the MHSAA and its constituents would focus in the future on the same critical issues that have defined school sports throughout the past hundred years.

If so, we would give continuing special attention to scholarship, sportsmanship, safety and the scope of our programs. We would give most attention to policies and programs that support the academic mission of schools, encourage a civil and respectful environment for competition, promote the physical well-being of participants, and maintain limits on travel, seasons and out-of-season activities.

I hope at all times and in all ways we will continue to focus on what the MHSAA Handbook lists as our two primary purposes: (1) assisting schools in their regulation of interscholastic athletics, and (2) conducting postseason tournaments for their benefit.

I hope that above all others we will continue to focus on two primary constituents: (1) coaches, reaching even more coaches with an even broader and deeper education program than the Program of Athletic Coaches' Education is providing today, and (2) officials, equipping local officials associations and their trainers and assignors to do an even better job of recruiting, training, assigning and evaluating contest officials.

Doing the essentials better is what I hope for in the year 2000 and beyond. Not thinking outside the box, but remaining in it, remembering our first and fundamental reasons for being, and delivering the very finest services that support those purposes.

It is possible that by thinking outside the box, organizations forget about their reasons for being. In interscholastic athletics, we would be well served to think inside the box.

In sports we learn we must compete within the confines of endlines and sidelines. Go beyond the boundary lines and you're out of play, where you can't score and can't win.

If school sports will secure a victory for its future &SHY; meaning, school sports continue to be a tool for schools to reach and motivate young people in an educational setting &SHY; it will not occur from out of bounds. It will occur because we stayed within prescribed boundaries: local, amateur, educational, non-commercial, sportsmanlike and physically beneficial. n

ANALYSIS OF MHSAA MEMBERSHIP

January 1, 2000

736 Total High Schools

624 (85%) Total Public Schools

*19 (3%) Charter (Public School Academies)

*605 (82%) Traditional Schools

112 (15%) Total Nonpublic Schools

*104 (14%) Religious

*8 (1%) Non-Secular

555 Total Junior High/Middle Schools

492 (89%) Total Public Schools

*6 (1% Charter (Public School Academies)

*486 (88%) Traditional Schools

63 (11%) Total Nonpublic Schools

*60 (11%) Religious

*3 (.5%) Non-Secular

REVIEWING THE REGULATIONS

SOUTHERN TRIPS MAY NOT INCLUDE COMPETITION

Each spring, some of Michigan's high school spring sports teams head south for warmer and drier weather in which to conduct practice; and almost every year there are one or more schools discovered and reported by others to be competing in violation of MHSAA regulations.

Handbook Interpretation No. 163 of MHSAA Regulation II, Section 6 prohibits an MHSAA member school from engaging in competition in any sport against any other school if either team has traveled more than 600 highway miles round-trip.

The limitation applies to both games and inter-school scrimmages (only intrasquad games would be allowed) in all sports that conclude with an MHSAA postseason tournament. The definition of scrimmage includes practice sessions involving students from more than one school. So MHSAA member schools must be certain not to schedule any kind of competition and not to conduct practice at the same time and place as another school.

Confirmed violations of these regulations have been dealt with seriously in the past in an effort to keep the playing field fair to those schools which are committed to adhering to the rules they agreed to adopt and enforce.

Schools which desire to conduct practice sessions out of state at a site more than 600 highway miles round-trip from their location must complete and submit to the MHSAA office the "Out-of-State Travel Declaration" form at least 30 days in advance of departure. See MHSAA Handbook pages 48 and 102. 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.

MEMBER SCHOOL SHARES POLICY
ON ATHLETIC TRIPS

Robert Regan
Superintendent
Haslett Public Schools

As often as possible, I like to remind students, parents, and the community about the mission of the Haslett Public Schools: To provide educational opportunities which enable students of all aspirations and abilities to grow and learn. It's a mission that energizes the efforts made every day by the Haslett Board of Education, the district's administrators, teachers, and staff.

As we seek to provide different opportunities for our students, we must bear in mind the costs involved. We are keenly aware that these costs are borne mainly by parents, not only in the form of their tax dollars, but also when parents pay for athletic equipment, class trips, uniforms, yearbooks, private music lessons, formal attire, as well as the added expenses that come with a student's senior year of high school.

Often we rely on the generosity of businesses and individuals in our community to help offset the expense of educational activities through donations. At times, community fund raising becomes excessive.

Cost is an important factor that we take into account when we receive requests from student programs that go beyond the norm. This issue has been brought to the forefront recently because of requests from some Haslett interscholastic athletic programs to travel to the southern United States in order to prepare for their upcoming sports seasons. These requests are often supported and encouraged by parents.

There are many factors that the district considers before approving out-of-state travel requests. They are: Is the program educationally enriching? Does it take students away from their families during a vacation period? Does it pose a financial hardship? Does it ask too much of the community in terms of fund raising? Does it heighten the risk of liability? Are chaperones required? Does it have ramifications for students who cannot afford to participate? We also must be mindful of the precedent which is set when approving such a request. If we approve a trip for one group, there is pressure to approve requests from other groups.

After careful consideration, the administration of the Haslett Public Schools has determined that the disadvantages outweigh the potential benefits that many of these trips have to offer. Therefore, the Haslett Public Schools will adhere to the policy on interscholastic athletic program travel established by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. This means that we will apply this policy to athletic practices as well as competition. Haslett teams may travel to states adjoining Michigan which are Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio, as well as Ontario, Canada. Each request will be approved on its own merit.

Without a clear-cut policy, travel requests would continue to escalate. Today, it's no longer unusual for athletic teams at some area schools to travel across country-- and sometimes out of the country--to practice in warmer climates. We believe this is extravagant and unnecessary for athletic success.

Our school district has an obligation to-and a partnership with-not only students, but also parents and the community at large. We believe that the MHSAA policy is reasonable, and benefits all concerned. n

SOCCER, CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK & FIELD RECLASSIFICATION OCCURS

Reclassification matters affecting soccer, cross country and track and field tournaments were among the major actions taken by the Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association at its Fall meeting, Dec. 1, in Grand Rapids.

The 19-member legislative body of the Association's 1,300-plus member schools meets three times annually to discuss and act upon sport committee proposals, eligibility rules and procedural issues.

In soccer, the Council voted to implement a 20 percent modification for the classification of teams in those tournaments effective in 2000-01, in an effort to reduce the enrollment range in the smallest classification. Using the equal divisions concept this year, schools of 489 students and under fall into Division 4 in boys soccer; and in girls soccer, it is 643 students and below. If the 20 percent modification had been in place, Division 4 for boys would have been 432 students and below; for girls 578 and below. When this change takes affect in the 2000-01 school year, there will be approximately 101 schools in the Division 1-3 tournaments for boys, and 76 in the Division 4 tournament. For the girls soccer tournament, there will be approximately 84 schools in Divisions 1-3, and 63 in Division 4.

Since the expansion of the concept of equal divisions in some MHSAA tournaments, there has been a concern raised by some Class D schools regarding the enrollment range between the largest and smallest school in the smallest division for some sports. Last May, the Council went on record in favor of reducing the enrollment range for the smallest schools' division in at least some sports, and directed the MHSAA staff to prepare classification modifications for at least some sports broken into equal divisions.

"We found that there is a need to monitor the enrollment range as it relates to Class D schools. Considerations such as the type of sport &SHY; non-contact, contact, collision &SHY; needed to be factored into the equation, as well as the players required for each sport," said John E. "Jack" Roberts, MHSAA Executive Director. "During our research into this matter, we found that the number of students participating in soccer from Class C to Class D schools differed significantly, especially when you consider the number of athletes necessary to field a team, and the collision nature of the sport. We looked at several methods of reducing the enrollment range and found that the 20 percent modification was the best fit."

The Council also added Lower Peninsula track and field and cross country to the growing list of MHSAA tournaments which utilize equal divisions. Effective with the 2000 tournaments, equal divisions will be utilized, with approximately 152 schools in each division for track and field; approximately 139 schools in each division for cross country.

"The proposal to reclassify track and field, as well as cross country, had strong support of the committees for those sports, as well as that of the classification committee and surveys of the membership," Roberts said. The Council had voted last May that if the equal divisions concept was adopted for track and field, the change would occur for the MHSAA's Spring 2000 Lower Peninsula Track & Field Meet. n

FLINT NORTHWESTERN HONORED IN MHSAA "LEGENDS" PROGRAM

A back-to-back winner of Michigan High School Athletic Association Class A girls basketball championships in 1983 and 1984, Flint Northwestern High School was honored through the Association's "Legends Of The Games" program at ceremonies at halftime of the Class A championship game of the 1999 Girls Basketball Finals at Rose Arena in Mt. Pleasant on Dec. 4.

In its third year, the Legends program promotes educational athletics by showcasing some of the great teams of past years. Eight members of those teams were in attendance to receive commemorative plaques and a banner to display at the school during the ceremony.

The story that follows was written by MHSAA Historian Ron Pesch of Muskegon, for this year's MHSAA Girls Basketball Finals Souvenir Program.

For five seasons, Head Coach Roger Zoll and his Flint Northwestern basketball squad patiently waited for their turn. Each year, the lofty accomplishments of their Saginaw Valley Conference rival, Flint Northern, overshadowed the success of the Wildcats program.

For half a decade, Northern had ended Northwestern's tournament dreams. In four of those five seasons, 1978 to 1981, Northern finished the year as Class A champions. In 1982, it earned MHSAA runner-up honors. Sporting six seniors, Northern's 1983 squad was again favored to make a sixth consecutive trip to the final round.

On the other side of town, Zoll had assembled a starting five comprised of all underclassmen. Led by juniors Taraisa Wills, Paulette Backstrom, and Cynthia Lyons and sophomores Shanta Burks, and Tonya Edwards, the Wildcats were young but experienced.

In 1982, they opened the season with five consecutive victories before losing to Northern in game six. The margin was 15 points, but Zoll's starting lineup included only one senior. Edwards, a 5-8 freshman guard, scored 31 points in that game. With a full season under her belt, Edwards was already a highly regarded player.

Northwestern, which opened its doors in the fall of 1964, had never won an MHSAA title in any sport. The boys produced a pair of runner-ups in the spring of 1975 - one in basketball and one in track. The girls cage squad advanced to the 1975 quarterfinals before rise of Northern.

Once again, the Wildcats recorded five straight victories before their conference showdown with unbeaten Northern. Zoll's squad opened up a 31-11 lead midway through the second quarter, as Northern suffered from poor shooting, fouls and turnovers. Northwestern fought off a third quarter rally by the Vikings and coasted to a 60-46 before a packed house. Edwards finished with a game-high 24 points and five assists.

With the win, Northwestern began its rapid assent to the top of the state rankings. The Wildcats were unbeaten in 15 straight, but the season was far from over. The rematch with Northern was the first in a pair of formable tests.

The second scheduled showdown with their cross-town nemesis was a battle for first place in the conference. Northern, 11-3 overall, was still smarting from the early season defeat - its only loss in conference play. A crowd of 1,300 watched the host Vikings jump out to a 17-2 lead in the first quarter and a 36-23 halftime advantage. Yet, thanks to solid play and Northern foul trouble, Northwestern roared back and exited the gym with a 68-57 victory. Edwards notched 29 points, while Backstrom added 19 including 10 without a miss from the free throw line. Coming off the bench to help the inside game, Wills added 14 points.

Four days later, Zoll's squad met defending Class A champ, Farmington Our Lady of Mercy. Northwestern watched Mercy erase an eight-point deficit in the final minute of regulation and steal a 51-48 victory in overtime.

In the opening rounds of the tournament, both Northern and Northwestern trounced their opponents en route to the seemingly inevitable showdown in this civil war. Edwards scored 12 in the first half, but the Vikings led 20-19 at the intermission. But once again, foul trouble doomed Northern. Neither team shot well from the field, but the Wildcats were 18 of 30 from the charity stripe. Northern hit 2-of-4 from the free throw line. Wills dominated the inside, scoring 10 of her 11 points in the second stanza while senior Soroya Pendleton came off the bench to score seven.

"We've been knocking on the door," said Zoll after the game "Now it's our turn."

Northwestern disposed of Midland Dow and Flint Kearsley in the regionals and after five years, the city of Flint was sending a new representative to the quarterfinals.

A win over Waterford Kettering set the stage for a rematch with Farmington Mercy in the semis. The Marlins concentrated on shutting down Edwards, holding the sophomore to 12 point. This time a new underclassman emerged as the hero. Freshman guard Stephanie Tipton nailed three 14-foot jump shots at the start of the fourth quarter to lead the Wildcats to a 44-41 victory. Mercy, which had defeated Northern in the championship contest a year previous with a fourth-quarter rally, pulled to within a point with 2:46 to play. This time however, Northwestern held the Marlins scoreless in their final four possessions to advance to the final game. It was Zoll's 100th career coaching victory.

With a 50-47 win in the Class A Final, Northwestern had finally burst into the spotlight. Harper Woods Regina, the opponent in the championship game, nearly prevented the dream from coming true. The Saddlelites had easily handled Northwestern's powerful press and led by four, 47-43, with 4:23 to play.

The Wildcats buckled down defensively. Wills scored on a rebound to pull within two. On the inbound pass, Backstrom came up with a steal - her seventh of the game - and dished off to Edwards who tied things up with 3:34 left. Cynthia Lyons added a free throw with 58 seconds remaining to push the Wildcats into the lead.

A three-second violation called on Regina forced a turnover and Northwestern worked the clock. Center Shanta Burks took a quick pass from Wills and scored the final points from under the basket.

Following the game, Zoll was quick to praise his assistant coach, Tony Holliday, for the success of the team.

"This young man really dedicated himself with these girls and gave them the knowledge and discipline they needed to succeed." n

HEALTH & SAFETY

NEW LAW BARS DISTRIBUTION OF

PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING

SUPPLEMENTS IN SCHOOLS

Michigan public school employees and volunteers are prohibited from promoting or supplying dietary supplements with claims of enhanced athletic performance as a result of a bill signed into law Nov. 23, 1999.

The new law &SHY; designated Public Act 187 on Nov. 30, 1999 &SHY; covers androstendione and creatine and any compounds labeled as performance-enhancing.

While the substances are legal and may still be obtained by students through their parents, the new law should help protect schools from the ethical, health and liability issues that may evolve as the long-term effects on adolescents become known. It may provide an early wake-up call to students, parents and others that the health effects of these substances are unknown, especially as they might affect growing boys and girls.

The legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Leon Stille of Spring Lake, in the House by David Mead of Frankfort.

PUBLIC ACT 187

An act to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled "An act to provide a system of public instruction and elementary and secondary schools; to revise, consolidate, and clarify the laws relating to elementary and secondary education; to provide for the organization, regulation and maintenance of schools, school districts, public school academies and intermediate school districts; to prescribe rights, powers, duties and privileges of schools, school district, public school academies and intermediate school districts; to provide for the regulation of school teachers and certain other school employees; to provide for school elections and to prescribe powers and duties with respect thereto; to provide for the levy and collection of taxes; to provide for the borrowing of money and issuance of bonds and other evidences of indebtedness; to establish a fund and provide for expenditures from that fund; to provide for and prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education and certain other boards and officials; to provide for licensure of boarding schools; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," (MCL 380.1 to 880.1852) to adding section 1317.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 1317 (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), a public school employee or volunteer shall not do any of the following:

(a) Knowingly sell, market, distribute or promote the use of a dietary supplement that contains a performance-enhancing compound to a pupil with whom the public school employee or volunteer has contact as part of his or her duties as a public school employee or activities as a public school volunteer.

(b) Knowingly endorse or suggest the ingestion, intranasal application or inhalation of a dietary supplement that contains a performance-enhancing compound by a pupil with whom the public school employee or volunteer has contact as part of his or her duties as a public school employee or activities as a public school volunteer.

(2) This section does not prohibit a public school employee or volunteer from doing any of the following:

(a) Providing, endorsing or promoting the use of a dietary supplement that contains a performance-enhancing compound to, or suggesting the ingestion, intranasal application or inhalation of a dietary supplement that contains a performance-enhancing compound by, the public school employee's or volunteer's own child.

(b) Selling, marketing, distributing or promoting the use of a dietary supplement that contains a performance-enhancing compound to, or endorsing or suggesting the ingestion, intranasal application or inhalation of a dietary supplement that contains a performance-enhancing compound by, a pupil as part of an activity that meets all of the following:

(i) Does not occur on school property or at a school-related function.

(ii) Is entirely separate from any aspect of the public school employee's employment as a public school employee or public school volunteer's activities as a public school volunteer.

(iii) Does not in any way involve information about or contacts with a pupil that the public school employee or volunteer has had direct or indirect access to through any aspect of the public school employee's employment as a public school employee or public school volunteer's activities as a public school volunteer.

(3) A person who violates this section is subject to the penalties under section 1804.

(4) As used in this section:

(a) "Dietary supplement" means that term as defined in section 201 of the federal food, drug and cosmetic act, chapter 675, 52 Stat. 1040, 21 U.S.C. 321.

(b) "Performance-enhancing compound" means a manufactured product for oral ingestion, intranasal application or inhalation that meets both of the following:

(i) Contains a stimulant, amino acid, hormone precursor, herb or other botanical, or any other substance that is not an essential vitamin or mineral.

(ii) Is intended to increase athletic or intellectual performance, promote muscle growth, or increase an individual's endurance or capacity for exercise.

(c) "Public school employee" means a person employed by a school district, local act school district, intermediate school district or public school academy. For the purposes of this section, public school employee also includes a person performing services on behalf of a school district, local act school district, intermediate school district or public school academy pursuant to a contract.

(d) "Public school volunteer" means a person serving as a volunteer in any capacity in a public school.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days after the date this amendatory act is enacted.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect. n

INTERNET MARKETERS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENT MUST PLACE SAFETY WARNINGS ON ANDROGEN

SUPPLEMENT LABELING AND ADVERTISING

The Federal Trade Commission on Nov. 16, 1999, settled charges against MET-Rx USA, Inc. and AST Nutritional Concepts involving unsupported safety claims made in the marketing of purported body-building supplements that contain androstenedione ("androgen"), and other steroid hormones, and in some cases, stimulants such as ephedra and caffeine. The two marketers of androgen supplements must disclose the potential risks of the supplements in all advertising, labeling and promotional materials that make efficacy, performance, or safety claims, as part of a settlement with the FTC. In separate complaints, the FTC alleges that the two companies advertise that their androgen supplements will increase strength and muscle mass "safely and with minimal or no negative side effects." The complaints challenge the companies' lack of substantiation for their claims about the safety or lack of side effects of the products. The claims were made primarily on Internet sites promoting the products.

Androgens are steroid hormones that are produced naturally in the body and can be synthesized from natural and artificial sources. The companies' androgen products contain various combinations of the steroid hormones androstenedione, androstenediol, norandrostenedione, and/or norandrostenediol. These substances convert in the body to testosterone, estrogen, and/or other potent hormones, and thus could pose safety risks and unwanted side effects similar to those of more potent hormones. The disclosure required by the FTC warns that these potential risks include unwanted changes in male and female sexual characteristics, and special dangers to persons at increased risk for prostate or breast cancer.

"Teenagers and athletes who are using these supplements as performance or muscle enhancers are being misled about their safety and potential negative side effects. Not any more," said Jodie Bernstein, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "Now, the labels and ads for these products will give consumers the straight story about the side effects and they'll be able to base their buying decisions on the facts. This information is especially important for teenagers, whose health may be threatened by long-term use of steroid hormones."

"Parents, coaches and athletes need to be aware of the real risks these substances pose to the lives and health of young people and athletes at all levels," said General Barry McCaffrey, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. "Today's action by the FTC will help raise awareness of these risks. No victory is worth the physical harms these substances can bring. It is vital that we create a level playing field for competition where athletes no longer feel that they need to chemically engineer their bodies to compete and win. Today's action by the FTC is an important part of a larger federal effort to deal with the use of drugs in sport. We applaud the FTC for its leadership."

Robert F. Kanaby, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, stated that: "I support the FTC's actions to inform consumers about the risks of performance-enhancing supplements. We want student athletes to participate in athletics without the dubious aid of substances that may be harmful to their long-term well being." The Federation represents high school athletic and activity associations across the nation.

The FTC's complaints name AST Nutritional Concepts & Research, Inc. (AST), based in Colorado, and its president Paul Delia; and MET-Rx USA, Inc. and its subsidiary, MET-Rx Substrate Technology, Inc. (MET-Rx), based in Irvine, California. The complaints allege that the defendants claimed their androgen supplements, taken in recommended doses, are safe, produce no or minimal negative side effects, and do not pose health or safety risks. The FTC alleges that the defendants lacked scientific evidence to support those claims. In addition, the complaint against AST alleges that the company falsely claimed that its androgen supplements do not contain steroid hormones.

The proposed settlements would prohibit the defendants from making claims about the absolute safety or side effects for any food, dietary supplement or drug, including androgen products, unless they have competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate those claims. In addition, the proposed AST settlement prohibits the company from representing that any androgen product does not contain steroids or steroid hormones.

The proposed orders would require the following labeling and advertising disclosure for any androgen supplement for which any efficacy, performance, or safety claim is made:

WARNING: This product contains steroid hormones that may cause breast enlargement, testicle shrinkage, and infertility in males, and increased facial and body hair, voice deepening, and clitoral enlargement in females. Higher doses may increase these risks. If you are at risk for prostate or breast cancer you should not use this product.

The proposed orders also would require the following labeling and advertising disclosure for any androgen supplement containing ephedra (also known as ephedrine):

WARNING: This product contains ephedra. Taking more than the recommended serving may result in heart attack, stroke, seizure or death. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, difficulty urinating, prostate enlargement, or glaucoma, or are using any prescription drug. Do not use if you are taking a MAO inhibitor or any allergy, asthma, or cold medication containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine. Discontinue use if dizziness, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, or nausea occurs. n

NFHS STANCES ON CREATINE

AND ANDROSTENEDIONE

NFHS On Creatine

In response to the recent focus on the use of food supplements, specifically creatine, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee in August 1998 issued a position statement on the use of drugs, medicine and food supplements in interscholastic sports. Text of the committee's statement follows:

"School personnel and coaches should not dispense any drug, medication or food supplement except with extreme caution and in accordance with policies developed in consultation with parents, health-care professionals and senior administrative personnel of the school or school district.

"Use of any drug, medication or food supplement in a way not prescribed by the manufacturer should not be authorized or encouraged by school personnel and coaches. Even natural substances in unnatural amounts may have short-term or long-term negative health effects.

In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes, maintain ethical standards and reduce liability risks, school personnel and coaches should never supply, recommend or permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes."

Jerry Diehl, assistant director of the NFHS and staff liaison to the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, said the committee issued this statement in response to requests from member state high school associations to address the increased use of food supplements such as creatine.

The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee is composed of four state association representatives and six members of the medical community, and is chaired by Don Herrmann of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. n

NFHS On Androstenedione

In light of publicity about the use of androstenedione by Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals, the National Federation of State High School Associations in August 1998 reiterated its stance against the use of any drug, medication or food supplement by high school athletes solely for performance-enhancing purposes.

"In recent days, the Associated Press has quoted Mark McGwire as speaking favorably of androstenedione and creatine," said Robert E Kanaby, NFHS executive director. "We do not presume to second-guess Mr. McGwire's statements about what may be appropriate for a professional athlete in his 30s; however, drugs are not harmless and are not free of consequences when ingested by student-athletes of high school age."

On Aug. 14 after much discussion about the use of the food supplement, creatine, the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee issued a position statement on the use of drugs, medicine and food supplements in interscholastic sports. Kanaby said that androstenedione, an anabolic agent which is a metabolic precursor to testosterone, would be covered, along with creatine and any other drug, medicine or food supplement, in the committee's statement. Text of the committee's statement follows:

"In order to minimize health and safety risks to student-athletes, maintain ethical standards and reduce liability risks, school personnel and coaches should never supply ' recommend or permit the use of any drug, medication or food supplement solely for performance-enhancing purposes."

"I strongly urge that high school student-athletes, parents, coaches and school administrators thoroughly investigate short-term and long-term health consequences before ingesting, or allowing the ingestion of, any performance-enhancing substance," Kanaby said. n

ATTENDANCE RECORDS FALL IN

FOOTBALL & GIRLS BASKETBALL

FOOTBALL -- The combination of great November weekend weather and a new five-week playoff format produced large crowds throughout the state and resulted in record attendance for most levels of the Football Playoffs. Although final figures have not been confirmed, preliminary accounting indicates that over 560,000 fans attended high school football games throughout the state over the five weeks, including the Finals held at the Silverdome on Nov. 26-27.

The new playoff format enacted this year doubled the entry teams to 256 and resulted in 128 additional games in a newly created Pre-District round.

1999 FOOTBALL ATTENDANCE AND PREVIOUS RECORDS

	Pre-District		District	Regional	Semifinal	Final
1999 Attendance	215,000		156,519*	86,571*	39,000	67,000
Previous/Current Record		----	115,514	78,157	40,819	71,156

			(1990)	(1994)	(1992)	(1995)

*New Record

Total Football Attendance

1999 564,090* (five-week playoff)

Previous Record 287,252 (1994 - four week playoff)

The Pre-District revenue sharing plan allowed each competing school 33 percent of the net revenue from 128 games. 256 teams were compensated from a pool of $453,524 returned to schools by the MHSAA for games played Oct. 29-30. Schools were guaranteed a minimum payout of $300; however, minimum amounts were necessary at only four sites. The top payout was $5,862 each to St. Joseph and Stevensville Lakeshore high schools for their Pre-District game at St. Joseph.

GIRLS BASKETBALL -- The Girls Basketball Finals set an attendance record for the second time in the three years that the event has been in Mt. Pleasant, at Central Michigan University's Rose Arena. The Finals on Dec. 4 drew a record 10,958 fans, and the three-day total of 21,606 eclipsed the previous mark set in 1997, the first year CMU hosted the event.

1999 GIRLS BASKETBALL ATTENDANCE AND PREVIOUS RECORDS

	Semifinal	Final	3-Day Total
1999 Attendance	10,648	10,958*	21,606*
Previous/Current Record	11,030	9,963	20,993
	(1997)	(1997)	(1997)

*New Record

RUSTER FOUNDATION PLAYS LARGE ROLE IN

PROMOTING SPORTSMANSHIP

The Ruster Foundation continues to be a very positive force in promoting good sportsmanship. Thus far during the 1999-00 school year, more than 3,000 student-athletes and other student leaders have had the opportunity to attend one of the 42 workshops provided for conferences, leagues and individual schools.

The emphasis of the workshops is to enhance leadership skills of the participants, to determine successful sportsmanship strategies, to isolate barriers to sportsmanship, and to develop action plans for "Good Sportsmanship."

Founded in 1983, the Ruster Foundation and Ruster Student Services was originally established to make students and communities aware of chemical -use prevention, but it has since expanded into leadership and sportsmanship seminars.

A listing of the workshops conducted by the Ruster Foundation, through its division, Ruster Student Services, from August 1999 through December 1999 follows:

Conference or School	Workshops	Schools	Students	Adults
Big "9" Conference	2	9	148
Big North Conference	1	8	79
Burton Public Schools	1	3	89
Capitol Area Conference	1	8	57
Farmington Public Schools	1	3	87
Frankenmuth High School	1	1	93
Fruitport High School	1	1	65
Genesee High School	1	1	64
Greenville High School	1	1	93
Highland Conference	1	6		43
Highland Conference	2	6	84
Ingham County League	1	7	87
Jack Pine Conference	1	8	104
Lake Michigan Conference	1	7	83
Lakeland Conference	1	9	93
Macomb Area Conference		1	29		114
Macomb Area Conference		5	35	294
Mid-Michigan Athletic Conference		1	10	93
O.K. Conference (Red Division)		1