BULLETIN
April 1999 Volume LXXV Number 7

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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
East Lansing, February 25, 1999

Members Present:
Robert Grimes, Battle Creek
Dennis Kniola, Stevensville
Tom Rashid, Detroit
Dan Flynn, Escanaba
William Newkirk, Meridian

Staff Members Present:
Jerry Cvengros, East Lansing
Jack Roberts, East Lansing (Recorder)

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

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

A determination of undue hardship is a matter addressed to the discretion of the Executive Committee within the educational philosophy and the place of voluntary extracurricular competitive athletics in the academic environment. The Executive Committee was cautioned to avoid making exceptions that would create precedent that effectively changes a rule without Representative Council action or local board of education adoption, which would exceed Executive Committee authority.
Students for whom waiver of a particular regulation is granted must be eligible in all respects under all other sections and interpretations of the regulations prior to participation.

Consistent with rulings of the Attorney General, schools are not bound by the decisions of the Executive Committee, but the Association may limit participation in the 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.

Sault Ste. Marie-Sault Area High School (Regulation I, Section 5) - Request was made to waive Interpretation No. 31 so that the school may allow members of its girls swimming and diving team to participate in meets involving Lower Peninsula schools in order to accommodate the different seasons preferred by schools for girls in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for meets where the event contract indicates girls will participate for Sault Area High School.

Pinckney High School (Regulation I, Section 7) - A late request was made to waive the previous semester record regulation on behalf of an 11th-grade student at Pinckney High School who struggled with too difficult an academic schedule during the first semester of the 1998-99 school year when he passed just three of seven courses.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Sparta High School (Regulation I, Section 7) - Request was made to waive the previous semester record regulation for an 11th-grade student who was a victim of an unspecified crime in January of 1998 and entered substance abuse rehabilitation in September. When she reenrolled at Sparta High School, she dropped her class at Kent Career Tech Center, leaving her with just three courses which she was able to complete during the first few weeks of the second semester.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Blissfield High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation for a 10th-grade student who was withdrawn from Blissfield High School at the start of the second semester of the 1998-99 school year for the purpose of being home-schooled, and then reenrolled 13 school days later.
Following a meeting with the athletic director and school counselor, the Executive Committee found that the student missed only 13 days of school and made up missed course work, the student's records never left Blissfield High School and there was no record of the student's enrollment in any other school, and the student has otherwise been enrolled since kindergarten in Blissfield Public Schools. Therefore, the request for waiver was granted.

Carleton-Airport High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request was made to permit eligibility at the sub-varsity level only during the second semester of the 1998-99 school year for a 10th-grade student who transferred from State Line Christian School, where he did not participate in sports, to Airport High School on Feb. 1, 1999.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Charlotte High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of an 11th-grade student who attended Charlotte Public Schools through June of 1998. She moved to Crystal to live with her biological father. She attended Carson City-Crystal High School. Her father moved to East Lansing and the student chose to return to her mother's residence in Charlotte and reenroll at Charlotte High School. The student's mother and father have never married, but a variety of information identifies the man as her father. An otherwise completed Educational Transfer Form was provided by the schools.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for this one time only following a change of residence by this student from a parent in one school district to the other parent in another school district.

Climax-Scotts High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - A late request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of an 11th-grade student who transferred in November 1998 from Vicksburg to Climax-Scotts and is anticipated to return to Vicksburg next fall. It was requested he be able to play baseball at Climax-Scotts this spring and football next fall at Vicksburg. The student was expelled in November for a weapons violation.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver of the transfer regulation but noted exception 14 of the transfer regulation may allow the student to be eligible at Vicksburg High School at the start of the first semester of the 1999-00 school year.

Fennville High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request was made to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of an 11th-grade student who lived with his aunt and uncle and attended Fennville High School for 9th grade during the 1996-97 school year, lived with another aunt and attended Spring High School in Texas for 10th grade and the first semester of 11th grade, and has returned to live with his aunt and uncle in Fennville. His father is deceased; his mother lives in Houston. He lived in Texas when he was in 8th grade and only sporadically in Fennville prior to that.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Grandville High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request was made to allow participation only at the sub-varsity level during the second semester of the 1998-99 school year for a 9th-grade student who attended an alternative school of the Grand Rapids Public Schools during the first semester. He lives in Grandville, his siblings attend Grandville High School, and he did not play high school sports during the first semester.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

Northville High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - On Sept. 10, 1998, the Executive Committee considered a late request to waive the transfer regulation on behalf of a 10th-grade student whose family is building a house in Northville that was expected to be completed in August but then was scheduled for completion in October; so the student remained living in the Plymouth School District. At that meeting, the Executive Committee granted the request for waiver with the conditions that if the family failed to reside in Northville by the last day of the current semester, the school would forfeit all contests in which the student participated during the first semester and the student would be ineligible for interscholastic competition at any MHSAA member school during the first semester of the 1999-2000 school year.
The school now reports that the house was not yet completed by the first day of the second semester and will remain unfinished and unoccupied until at least late April or early May; and it requested extension of the timelines stipulated in September.
The Executive Committee determined that the terms of the Sept. 10 Executive Committee Meeting should be upheld and enforced.

Parchment High School (Regulation I, Section 9[B]) - Request was made to allow sub-varsity participation only during the second semester of the 1998-99 school year by a 9th-grade student who attended Parchment schools through 8th grade before enrolling in the Kalamazoo Public Schools for the first semester of the 1998-99 school year. He did not participate in extracurricular activities.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver.

South Haven High School (Regulation I, Section 9) - Request to waive the transfer regulation was made on behalf of a 10th-grade student who moved with his mother from South Haven to Bangor late in the 1997-98 school year. He completed that school year at South Haven and started the 1998-99 school year at Bangor where he played basketball until he relocated to his father in South Haven and reenrolled there. His mother and father were never married, so the divorce exception cannot be used. He has lived with his mother from birth until December; he attended South Haven schools from kindergarten until the start of 10th grade. The birth certificate has no father's name, but various other documentation shows the man in question to be his father. At its Jan. 20, 1999 meeting, the Executive Committee noted that the student had been eligible at Bangor and did not provide a compelling reason for the need to change residences or schools; and the request for waiver was denied.
The school requested the Executive Committee review its previous decision because it is indicated both school principals would have signed the Educational Transfer Form if the student's parents had previously been married and were now divorced; and the student's mother and sister have illnesses which prevent his mother from providing supervision and guidance.
The Executive Committee granted the request for waiver for this one time only following a change of residence by this student from a parent in one school district to the other parent in another school district.

Constantine High School (Regulation II, Section 11[D & E]) - Request was made to waive the earliest date for practice and competition for this school to participate in the South Bend Classic track meet in which it has participated since 1983. This year's meet is March 8 and 9. The earliest date of practice is March 15. Buchanan, Edwardsburg and Niles were also intending to participate. No National Federation Interstate Sanction Form has been received for the event.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Leland High School (Regulation II, Section 11[E]) - Leland High School requested waiver of regulations in order to conduct its annual girls basketball tournament on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27 and 28, 1999.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Portage Northern and Portage Central High Schools (Regulation II, Section 15) - A request was made on behalf of a 12th-grade student to compete in Division 2 of the 1999 Girls Gymnastics Tournament which will be conducted in two divisions: Division 1 for gymnasts who at any time competed in a non-school event at USGF Level 9 or above or who have competed in USGF Optionals (Level 7 Optional or Level 8) since Jan. 1, 1997; and Division 2 for all other gymnasts. This student competed in Division 1 as a 9th grader, but has never competed at Level 8, 9 or 10 of USGF.
The Executive Committee denied the request for waiver.

Martin and Dorr-St. Stanislaus Junior High Schools (Regulation III, Section 1) - The Executive Committee approved a cooperative program in wrestling (coed) between these schools. Martin is the primary school.
West Branch-Rose City Surline Junior High School, Rose City Junior High School and West Branch-St. Joseph School (Regulation III, Section 1) - The Executive Committee approved a cooperative program involving these three schools in boys and girls track and field. Surline is the primary school.

Mattawan and Otsego High Schools (Regulation V, Section 2) - The Executive Committee was asked to consider a disagreement between these schools relative to a contract for a football contest. Correspondence from each school was reviewed.
The Executive Committee determined that unless both parties mutually agree to a cancellation, the original contract must be honored. Failure to do so will result in the consequences which were described to all schools in the memorandum of Jan. 28, 1999.

North Adams-Jerome and Reading High Schools (Regulation V, Section 2) - The Executive Committee was asked to consider a disagreement between these schools relative to contracts for football contests. Correspondence from each school was reviewed.
The Executive Committee determined that unless both parties mutually agree to a cancellation of the contract for 1999, that contract must be honored. Failure to do so will result in the consequences which were described to all schools in the memorandum of Jan. 28, 1999. Inasmuch as the schools have mutually agreed to cancel the contracts for 2000 and 2001, they may do so without consequence.

Grosse Ile and River Rouge High Schools (Regulation V, Section 3[C]) - The Jan. 24, 1999, ice hockey game between these schools was ended with 3:21 remaining with the score 9-0 in favor of Grosse Ile after an altercation that caused three players to be ejected from each team. In addition to follow-up required by regulations, the three River Rouge players each were suspended for two school days, according to school policy.
The Executive Committee determined nothing further would be required at this time.

Millington High School (Regulation V, Section 3[C]) - The Nov. 14, 1998 MHSAA Football Playoff game between Chesaning and Millington High Schools was ended by the officials with 1:43 remaining in the game because of a series of personal fouls against Millington, which has submitted a summary report of internal actions which have included public apologies by players, school sanctions against players, development of a school district task force to improve sportsmanship among all constituents, and increased involvement in the Program of Athletic Coaches' Education (PACE). At its January meeting, the Executive Committee requested that the school's administration and head football coach appear at a future meeting to address more specifically the student sanctions that have been imposed, the steps being implemented to improve sportsmanship among athletes, other students, fans and coaches, the district's expanded involvement in PACE, a report of the first task force meeting(s), and, since many comments were received about the inadequacy of the facility as a contributor to problems, what is being done to address those concerns.
The principal and two members of the football coaching staff met with the Executive Committee to discuss each of the designated topics. Recommendations by the Task Force to the Millington Board of Education were reviewed, as were facility concerns. Many other positive ideas were exchanged.
The Executive Committee determined as follows:
(1) The action of the Board of Education with respect to the task force recommendations should be communicated to the MHSAA as soon as it occurs; and
(2) Because facility deficiencies were cited by all parties, until there are significant changes that solve existing problems, if Millington should otherwise earn the privilege of hosting an MHSAA Football Playoff game, it will be required that Millington High School arrange an alternative site acceptable to the MHSAA staff.

Calumet High School (Regulation V, Section 3[D]) - Request was made to waive the requirement of part 6 which disqualifies from the MHSAA post-season tournament any player who is ejected for contacting an official. The player in question was reported to have struck an official with a hockey stick in a game Jan. 26 against Houghton High School.
Athletic Director Michael Steber met with the Executive Committee to review the situation and action by the school and league since the Jan. 26 game and especially to request that Regulation II, Section 15(F) be waived to allow this student to attend the tournament contests from which he is disqualified in light of the circumstances, the student's character and the school administration's willingness to supervise the student's attendance at the contests.
In separate actions, the Executive Committee denied the request to waive Regulation V, Section 3(D) and Regulation II, Section 15(F).

Highland-Milford High School (Regulation V, Section 3[D]) - During a wrestling dual meet at Flushing High School on Feb. 3, 1999, a competitor threw his shoe in the direction of an official, who filed a report that he was struck on his foot by the shoe. Administration of the school applied the regulation that resulted in the student being ineligible for 1999 MHSAA Tournament competition in wrestling, and MHSAA staff concurred. The student's parents appealed to Oakland County Circuit Court, which declined to issue a temporary restraining order.
The Executive Committee confirmed that pursuant to Interpretation No. 233, the decision of a contest official is final and is not subject to protest to MHSAA staff or Representative Council. The Executive Committee also confirmed that the regulation did not require that an official be hit by an attempt to spit at, hit, slap, kick, or push an official, and that an aggressive unsportsmanlike act that is attempted toward an official must cause the aggressor to be disqualified from the MHSAA post-season tournament, even if contact is not made.

Representative Council - The Executive Committee reviewed drafts of the March and May agendas.
Next Meetings - The next meetings of the Executive Committee is Thursday, March 25, at 10 a.m. in East Lansing; Thursday, April 22, at 9 a.m. in East Lansing; and Saturday, May 1, at 6 p.m. in Thompsonville.

Members Present:
Robert Grimes, Battle Creek
Tom Rashid, Detroit
Paul Ellinger, Hartford
William Newkirk, Meridian

Staff Members Present:
Jerry Cvengros, East Lansing
Tom Minter, East Lansing
Jack Roberts, East Lansing (Recorder)

1999-00 Budget Preparation Schedule:
February 25: Finance Committee proposals (including personnel).
March 26: Representative Council approval.
April 22: Finance Committee proposals (remainder of budget).
May 4: Representative Council approval.

1998-99 Year-To-Date Review - It was reported that fall tournaments netted approxi-mately $172,000 more in 1998 than in 1997, but that overall operations were approxi-mately $41,000 behind the first six months of the previous year.

Ticket Prices - The Finance Committee agreed to recommend to the Representative Council to increase Baseball and Softball Predistrict ticket prices from $2 to $3; to increase Girls Basketball Semifinal and Final tickets from $4 and $5 to $5 and $6, respectively; to increase Cross Country Finals from $4 to $5; to increase Ice Hockey Districts, Regionals and Quarterfinals from $3 to $4; to increase Swimming and Diving Preliminaries and Finals from $3 and $4, respectively, to $5; and to increase Track and Field Final tickets from $4 to $5. All changes would commence in 1999-00. The total increase in revenue would be approximately $79,600.

Travel/Accident Policy - The Finance Committee agreed to recommend that the MHSAA provide Representative Council members with a $200,000 insurance policy for loss of life or limb while traveling on MHSAA business. Underwriter would be Chubb. Administrator would be Lyman & Sheets Agency of Lansing. Cost would be $4,100 for three years prepaid.

Office Park - The Finance Committee discussed four options for the last available parcel of Ramblewood Office Park: (1) Sell; (2) Hold; (3) Lease the land to a developer; (4) Develop the land and lease office space.

The Finance Committee was least favorable to becoming a developer of the land. It will recommend to the Representative Council that the land be left on the market and that only attractive purchase offers be presented for the Council's consideration.

Personnel Considerations - The Finance Committee developed proposals for the Representative Council's action in March relative to compensation adjustments for the executive director and the total of adjustments the executive director may award to executive and support staff for 1999-00.

It was snowing quite heavily on Friday afternoon, Jan. 8, when I walked into Marysville High School to meet with athletic director Jim Venia. Although the snow didn't materialize into a major storm, it was a concern as Jim prepared the school's music classroom into a lecture hall for Saturday's PACE, Level 1 Workshop. Jim was doing the typical last minute preparations that PACE site coordinators do when they host workshops. Early Saturday morning before any coaches arrived, the coffee was perking, donuts and juice were available and overhead projectors, monitor and VCR were in place for the 9 a.m. program.
Seventy-four coaches from Marysville and the surrounding area were in attendance for the six-hour Level 1 program that day and 54 of them came back the following Saturday for Level 2. At noon on both Saturdays Jim served lunch to all participants in the school cafeteria.

This is a scene that has been repeated throughout Michigan each year for the past 12 years. Numbers aren't always as high as those at Marysville, but the comments regarding the material of the program and quality of instruction are usually similar to Jim's: "Thanks for coming to Marysville. The program was excellent throughout and we appreciate your enthusiasm." Site coordinators like Bob Gershman of Berkley who has sponsored PACE in Oakland County for 10 years insist on hosting workshops every year, as does Tom Healey of Mott Community College in Flint who continues with the program even though he has left Clio High School. Both believe in the program and want to serve the coaches of their area.

Many site coordinators are former coaches who have become athletic administrators and who previously completed PACE. In some cases they have succeeded in convincing their boards of education of the value of coaches' education and the need for financial investment in the program. Dozens of athletic directors, from Ironwood to Buchanan have volunteered their school facilities as well as their services to bring PACE to their communities. Over 10,000 Michigan coaches have participated in one or both levels of the program.

PACE continues to be a financial "bargain" to schools and coaches. Level 1 registration is currently $50 and includes six hours of instruction, the PACE Reference Manual, lunch and refreshments. Level 2 also includes six hours of instruction, lunch and refreshments at a cost of $25.

As we proceed in building our PACE schedule for 1999-2000, once again we are receiving requests from high school athletic directors to host programs at their respective schools. It's that kind of cooperation that will benefit coaches and student-athletes throughout the state.

by Jerry Cvengros
MHSAA Associate Director

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

In the December-January issue of the Bulletin, the editorial "Time Well Spent" previewed four critical issues of educational athletics – scholarship, sportsmanship, safety and the scope of school sports. This editorial takes the third of these issues – safety – a bit deeper.

It is unsafe to write about safety. If you say it is your purpose to promote safety, then the lawyers line up when someone is injured.
The stated purposes of the MHSAA avoids the word "safety." The Handbook says the MHSAA is to "promote the physical welfare of participating students." More important than avoiding the troublesome word, this phrase captures more completely what should come to our mind when we think of safety in school sports.

We mean the health and welfare of participants. We mean protecting them from injuries. We mean providing first aid and emergency care for them when inevitable and unavoidable injuries do occur. We mean promoting healthy lifestyles, including teaching life skills to help students avoid drug abuse, including tobacco and alcohol.

Among the health and welfare issues in front of us in the near future are these:

1. Head protection for skiers, soccer goalies and pole vaulters.
2. Neck protection for ice hockey players.
3. Performance standards for baseball and softball bats.
4. Continuing perfection of the wrestling weight monitoring program.
5. Expansion of the nutrition education program from wrestling to all sports.
6. Avoidance of all kinds of drugs and supplements whose consequences are unknown and may be especially dangerous for growing youth.

There are and will be other issues of health and welfare as well, but the above topics are certain to be addressed.
The MHSM Representative Council has already determined that the 1999-2000 MHSAA Handbook will include as recommendations to MHSM member schools two policies from the National Federation of State High School Associations, one addressing steroids and the other addressing legal drugs and supplements that are gaining popularity without proof of safety in the athletic community.

Just as society deals with difficult ethical issues as science pushes the boundaries of available medications, so we in sports have thorny topics to address: drugs and supplements, legal and illegal, over-the-counter and prescription, natural and chemical.

The Feb. 15, 1999, Newsweek cover story stated: "The greatest threat to the image, integrity and even the continued existence of elite level international competitions from the World Cup to the Tour de France to the Olympic games themselves is the use of illicit performance-enhancing drugs."

Less sophisticated but perhaps no less dangerous to the health of adolescents and no less damaging to the reputation of school sports are androstenedione and other steroid-like substances, creatine and other natural supplements, Sudafed and other over-the-counter drugs used for unintended purposes in the realm of competitive athletics.

Less sophisticated still, but perhaps no less dangerous to the health of adolescents and no less damaging to their academic pursuits are tobacco and alcohol which we can no longer claim athletes use less than non-athletes.

Tobacco, in all its forms, must be removed from our practice and competition venues. Football and baseball coaches should not be allowed to use or even carry smokeless tobacco.

And alcohol must be identified for what it is: the cause of more academic failures in college than any other reason, and this year the direct result of three deaths on our state's college campuses through binge drinking.

This kind of talk is not out of date or out of touch with our kids; it's life or death for our kids.

GUEST EDITORIAL

Last Friday night I attended a high school basketball game between Hart and Ravenna at Hart High School.
I have not attended many boys games in the last few years, as I was pretty well tired of basketball as my daughter played girls basketball during the fall. I was at this game because my daughter was running for queen of the Sweetheart Ball and the winner was to be announced at halftime of the varsity game.

I arrived about 10 minutes before game time and took a seat in the bleachers about halfway up the middle.

I had no more than sat down when I heard a loud voice of a Ravenna fan cheering for his team.

My first thought was, “Oh no, not a loudmouth fan who would be on the officials and every player on the floor.” I almost thought of moving.

But as the game began and went on, what I heard put me to shame and should serve as an example to every parent.

During the course of a very good and close game, not one word came from that man that was negative.

He didn’t put down the players from Hart. He said not a word about the officials. He did nothing but encourage the players from Ravenna to do their best.

Whether they were behind or had the lead, he never changed.

In the nearly 16 years that I have watched my children in eight different sports, I’ve never seen anyone like him.
I was reminded of my own shameful behavior at various times. My own daughter once told me to shut up as she came down the court in a game.

After the game, I told the gentleman that is was a pure pleasure to hear him and to witness his enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

He said that all he could do was encourage and had vowed never to be the kind of fan that I had so often been.

I’m not sure, but I believe he said his son was No. 55 for Ravenna. If that is correct, then Joe Miller has one truly great example in his father.

After the game was over, I was standing in the hall with my wife and my daughter came up all dressed up and wanted a picture.

We got one, and then this same gentleman from Ravenna came over to us and offered to take a picture of my wife and me with our daughter. He congratulated her and thanked us for our hospitality.

When I got home, the more I thought about it, the more impressed i was with this whole incident.
If there was ever to be a school on how to be a fan, he should teach it.

Oh, by the way, my daughter was named the queen.

Jack White
Hart

REVIEWING THE REGULATIONS

According to the national clearinghouse for foreign exchange programs, Michigan ranks second in the number of bona fide foreign exchange student enrolled. Here are the top 10:

State--Total Student Numbers
California--5,515
Michigan--1,861
Texas--1,813
Washington-- 1,663
Ohio-- 1,556
Oregon--1,535
Pennsylvania--1,470
Florida --1,411
New York--1,394
Illinois --1,056

This rank is startling and unsettling.

In August 1997, the Michigan High School Athletic Association surveyed its member high schools so the organization might learn which schools accepted foreign exchange students and which foreign exchange programs were most active in Michigan. The intended purpose was to help the MHSAA communicate more with the most active schools and programs. The results of the survey were startling.

Of 433 surveys returned (second requests were not made), 283 schools — 65% of responding schools — reported they had foreign exchange students during 1996-97. Those 283 schools reported that a total of 859 foreign exchange students were enrolled and that 483 of those students participated in interscholastic athletics.

It was disturbing that respondents at many schools had never heard of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET), or didn't know if the foreign exchange program that placed students in their school was listed by CSIET, or didn't know that only those students placed by programs listed by CSIET are eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics during the first semester after their placement. Nineteen schools which had foreign exchange students did not know the name of the placing program, the number of students placed, or the number of those students who participated in interscholastic athletics.

From the written responses and telephone calls regarding the survey, it is clear that a lot of schools were not familiar with CSIET, the approved listing manual which is sent to schools every year by CSIET, the approved list which the MHSAA publishes in its August Bulletin every year, and the MHSAA regulation which grants immediate eligibility only to those students placed in schools by a CSIET listed foreign exchange program.

There is little excuse for such casual treatment of foreign exchange students who benefit from one of the 15 exceptions to the transfer regulation. The casual attitude undermines the integrity of the transfer regulation, as well as this special exception which will have to be eliminated if schools are not more attentive.

Here's what the MHSAA Handbook says about foreign exchange students:

"74. A foreign exchange student is considered 'placed with a host family in a district or school service area' when (a) the school had no input into the selection or assignment of the student, and (b) the host family placement is approved by the national headquarters of the sponsoring organization. (exception [4])

"75. Student exchange programs which have been accepted for listing by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel for 1997-98 are considered 'bona fide exchange programs.' Additional programs may be included after they have been reviewed and approved by the MHSAA. A student placed in a program and enrolled in a school before the program has been reviewed and approved is ineligible during the semester in which he or she first enrolls. (exception [4])

"76. To be immediately eligible for interscholastic athletics, a resident alien must either move with the persons with whom he or she is living or be enrolled through a CSIET or MHSAA listed student exchange program, and in either case, be eligible under all MHSAA regulations. Eligibility through student exchange programs is for a maximum of the first two consecutive semesters, after which the student is ineligible for further interscholastic athletic competition in Michigan. (exception [4])"

MHSAA Assistant Director Gina Mazzolini serves on the CSIET Evaluation Committee which is primarily responsible for determining which foreign exchange programs will qualify for CSIET listing. The organization provides tremendous service to the MHSAA, which is spared the difficult task of evaluating separately all of the foreign exchange programs. In fact, without CSIET, it is likely that foreign exchange students would all be ineligible for interscholastic athletics until their second semester of enrollment. Support of CSIET means support for those students who are enrolling in bona fide foreign exchange programs and who will have much more beneficial experiences in Michigan schools if they are able to be involved in interscholastic athletics.

The casual attitude of schools toward foreign exchange programs and the CSIET threaten the opportunities for foreign exchange students to have the privilege of participation in interscholastic athletics in MHSAA member schools. Principals, athletic directors and counselors are urged to keep themselves fully informed of foreign exchange student policies and procedures, at least with respect to their athletic eligibility, the MHSAA and CSIET.

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.

With the change in football playoffs for the 1999 season there has been a change in the practice and regular season schedule. The following schedule has been approved and adopted for 1999:

August 9 - Earliest practice date (first three days without pads)
August 12 - First day of practice with pads (if three days of conditioning were completed during week)
August 26 or 27 - Earliest date for varsity regular season game.
• Schools may not conduct intersquad scrimmages until after nine separate days of practice have taken place.

• Interscholastic games may not be played unless the team has completed 14 separate days of practice including three days of conditioning without pads over a three-week period.

PLAYOFF DATES

October 29 or 30 -- Pre-Districts
November 5 or 6 -- Districts
November 12 or 13 -- Regionals
November 20 -- Semifinals
November 26-27 -- Finals

The MHSAA, through its appointed Awards Committee, will accept nominations for the National High School Sports Hall of Fame. Nominating forms are available through the MHSAA and will be submitted to the Awards Committee for evaluation as they are received. Those candidates receiving committee endorsement will be submitted to the Representative Council before final evaluation by the National Federation selection committee.
Charles Forsythe, former Executive Director of the MHSAA, and Lofton Green, legendary basketball coach at River Rouge, are the only Michigan members of the National High School Sports Hall of Fame. They are honored with pictures and plaques at the MHSAA building in East Lansing.
General Criteria
Nominees must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and moral character.
The categories of athlete, coach, official and others are included on the nomination form for expediency in understanding the primary area in which an individual is to be considered for his or her achievements in interscholastic athletics. The grouping is for screening purposes only and to assist those making the nomination in understanding the type of information required. Once nominees are inducted, they are not categorized; all are recognized as members of the National High School Sports Hall of Fame.
All candidates for the Hall of Fame must be at least 35 years of age prior to Nov. 15 of the applicable year in order to be considered for induction. This includes candidates in all four categories.
To further explain, athletes would be former student participants who are being nominated for their achievements in interscholastic athletics. Coaches would be considered on the merits of their high school coaching achievements only and officials on the basis of their service as a high school official.
The other category is for those individuals who have made contributions to interscholastic athletics in some capacity other than those previously mentioned, including such areas as administration, sports medicine and sports media.
All candidates will be judged on their significant and/or long-term contributions to interscholastic athletics. While many have served their state and local programs over a long and distinguished career, their accomplishments must have been worthy of national recognition for them to be considered. Longevity, without meaningful national impact, does not constitute appropriate credentials for Hall of Fame consideration.
Nominees for the Hall of Fame will either be 1) Approved and sent on to the Selection Committee, 2) Put on "Hold" or 3) Placed in the "inactive" category. The "Holding for Future Consideration" category means a nominee may be considered again for induction and that additional information and supportive material would be helpful before future consideration. "Inactive" indicates that the nominee no longer will be considered for Hall of Fame induction until re-nominated. A one-year waiting period is required before re-nomination.

Schools and coaches are alerted to the MHSAA fall schedule of PACE workshops. The schedule starts on Saturday, August 7, 1999, with a Level I program at Troy High School. Troy last hosted PACE in August 1997 for nearly 100 coaches.
Coaches are urged to pre-register as early as possible to assure sufficient numbers to conduct the programs.

Level I
Saturday, August 7 - Troy High School - (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Saturday, August 14 - Hemlock High School - (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Saturday, August 21 - Belding High School - (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Mon.-Wed., Sept. 13, 15 - East Jackson High School - (6:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
Friday, October 1 - Lansing Holiday Inn, South - (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Mon.-Wed., Nov. 1, 3 - Genesee County ISD - (6:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
Mon.-Wed., Nov. 8, 10 - Sterling Heights - (6:30 - 9:30 p.m.)

Level II
Saturday, August 14 - Troy High School - (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Saturday, August 21 - Hemlock High School - (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Friday, October 1 - Lansing Holiday Inn, South - (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Mon.-Wed., Nov. 8, 10 - Genesee County ISD - (6:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
Mon.-Wed., Nov. 29, Dec. 1 - Sterling Heights - (6:30 - 9:30 p.m.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PACE ENROLLMENT FORM

Name: ______________________________________________________________________

Home Address: _______________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________ State: ________ Zip: ______________

Bus. Phone: __________________________ Res. Phone: ____________________________

School Affiliation: _____________________________ School ID #: ___________________

Program Location: _____________________________ Amount Enclosed: ______________

Make checks payable to MHSAA Level I - $50 Level II - $25

Mail to:
Jerry Cvengros, Associate Director
MHSAA
1661 Ramblewood Drive
East Lansing, MI 48823

With the high school boys tennis season just beginning, please review with your coaches and student-athletes the Amateur Status and the concerns inherent with tennis. Coaches should remind players that we will play by “The Code,” and remember, the idea of fair play can be described in four words: Behavior, Good Manners, Respect.

The following point penalty system will be in effect for MHSAA Sponsored tournaments.

A. 1. First Offense – Warning
2. Second Offense – One point to opponent
3. Third Offense – (depending on severity of violation) game to opponent or default
4. Fourth Offense – Automatic default

For Dual Matches the home team coach shall serve as the Match Manager/Referee and is in charge of all rule disputes, administrative responsibilities, crowd control, etc. However, each coach shall have the power to enforce the rules and have the USTA Friend at Court to settle point of law questions.

B. Penalty for misconduct after match (at regional or final)
Penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct after match – For flagrant unsportsmanlike conduce after a match is completed, the offending player will be defaulted and removed from the site as soon as authorized school personnel become available. This removal will be for the duration of the event (Regionals and Finals are considered one event). In addition, one point will be deducted from the player’s team score. This rule will be in effect for all MHSAA Tennis Tournaments.

C. Minimum Uniform Requirement
Uniform — The minimum requirements for a team shirt is an unaltered shirt with sleeves, preferably in school colors or with school identification. Each individual must wear such shirts throughout the match. If a player changes shirts, he/she must have another tennis team shirt to wear. Players shall not wear undergarments or tights which extend below the skirt/short. (Exception: Compression shorts which are unadorned, of a single color). Team shorts are required. The shorts must be the same color for all individuals on the team and an appropriate style for tennis.

MEMBERS PRESENT:
Brian Burtch, AD, Holland
Tim Hallaron, Soccer Coach, Kalamazoo
Barry Hobrla, AD, Lowell
Ken Holder, Soccer Coach, Flint
Mary Ignatowski, Official, Plainwell
Jose Mejia, Soccer Coach, Tecumseh
Tom Miller, President Soccer Coaches Assn., Midland
Gary Morris, AD, Madison Heights
Paul Price, Principal, Fife Lake
Ron Rudland, Soccer Coach, Parma
Pete Ryan, AD, Saginaw

MEMBER ABSENT:
Alan Alsbro, Asst. Principal, Niles

STAFF MEMBER PRESENT:
Suzanne M. Martin, Recorder

The Soccer Committee reviewed all sportsmanship related procedures approved by the MHSAA Representative Council which have been in effect for the past four (4) years involving regular season and tournament series soccer. Recommendations to the Representative Council will reflect the procedures the 1999 Soccer Committee wishes to continue with updated language.
The Officials Report Summary of Fall 1998 sports was reviewed by the committee and a discussion ensued regarding the need to place more emphasis on spectator sportsmanship.

Remaining agenda items originated from the Michigan Interscholastic Soccer Coaches Association, letters from athletic administrators and soccer coaches.

The following categories are set up for the readers convenience in recognizing the many different items discussed and how the committee responded to those issues:

GAME PROCEDURES THAT WILL CONTINUE IN 1999-2000 WITH CHANGES INDICATED IN BOLD:

1. Have an administrator present: Continue to recommend highly that a school administrator or designee (an employee of the school district, but not a soccer coach) attend home games and away games when they are known strong rivalries. Notify the officials and coaches of the opposing team of who and where the person will be throughout the event. Urge leagues to adopt this policy.
2. Continue the policy of REQUIRING a school administrator or designee to attend all MHSAA tournament series games and notify the host management of who and where the person will be throughout the game. The host manager will be responsible to alert the officials and coaches of the presence and whereabouts of the administrator/ designee. A violation of this policy will be dealt with by the MHSAA upon notification of the host manager.
3. Continue to encourage leagues and school districts to conduct preseason meetings for players, parents and coaches in all sports to emphasize good sportsmanship, safety, liability concerns, risk management and rules of the game. Such meetings should take place in each sport in a separate meeting. Encourage officials to be invited to speak at preseason meetings.
4. Continue to enforce the policy that no soccer games, freshman through varsity, shall be started without compliance with National Federation rules requiring an adult or responsible/knowledgeable scorekeeper who will record goals scored, cautions issued, disqualification of players and coaches, and the starting and ending times of players serving the 10-minute yellow card sit-out rule.
5. Continue the statewide rule that requires a player who receives a yellow card may not reenter the game for 10 minutes of playing time, which carries over to the second half or overtime, but not the next game. (National Federation Rule 3-4-6 requires a player to report to the scorekeeper prior to entering the game; and if a player enters the game prior to expiration of 10 minutes, an unsportsmanlike conduct yellow card will be issued to the player.)
6. Notify the MHSAA if league/conference games or other contests are officiated by the three-whistle system; the MHSAA wants input with regard to the positives and negatives of the system. (The three- whistle system is now allowed by National Federation.
7. MHSAA registered officials will continue to use the MHSAA Stipulated National Federation system of officials mechanics at all interscholastic soccer games. The correct mechanics that will be used will be published in the Soccer Rule Book INSERT. Note: Committee members emphasize that these required mechanics enhances communication between officials, the coaches and spectators.

ITEMS THAT WERE DISCUSSED, SOME PLACED IN MOTIONS BUT DID NOT PASS:
Require a site selection committee.
*Allow District Hosts to host all pre-district games the host school is involved in.
*Allow host team to be on top line of bracket and draw a bye so host school will host 2nd round game.
*Allow District host school to host all District games host school is involved in if all teams agree.
*Request the National Federation of State High School Associations Soccer Committee allow both teams to substitute on throw-ins and corner kicks if the team in possession of the ball is substituting and players are at the table ready to enter.

MHSAA STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AND CONSIDERATIONS:
1. Rewrite the state adoption which allows players to wear soft ski cap style head wear to allow more options for the player and fewer enforcement concerns for the officials: It would be described as follows:
Field players may wear soft ski cap styled head wear or a ski band with no restriction to color(s). Adornment such as a school logo is legal as long as the adornment is soft, pliable, safe and not offensive.
2. Soccer coaches and officials from different areas of the state and representing the divisions will be invited to meet with MHSAA twice a year to share information about facilities that are available to host tournaments and have been offered by member schools.
3. Notify all schools sponsoring soccer that conference champion tournament games that determine conference standings and invitational meets that require teams to move through a bracket to determine a champion will be allowed to use penalty kicks to determine a winner without a rules deviation request from the MHSAA.
4. Clarify to MHSAA tournament series soccer hosts that a "MHSAA pass" of sorts will be used to identify administrators or school appointees who must be present from each competing school at games in which their team is competing. MHSAA will provide passes with the managers material to distribute to each competing school's athletic administrator.
5. The MHSAA staff will discuss and possibly consider for inclusion in the MHSAA Handbook the following:
Encourage leagues and school districts to conduct preseason meetings for players, parents and coaches in all sports to emphasize good sportsmanship, safety, liability concerns, risk management and rules of the game. Such meetings should take place in each sport in a separate meeting. Encourage officials to be invited to speak at preseason meetings.
6. Continue to stress at all Soccer Rules meetings that coaches and officials must be forever diligent and partners in endorsing educational athletics which includes open communication.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
*Conduct Regional games from Tuesday through Saturday of Regional week (currently Regional games can be played Monday through Saturday). (9-0 in favor)
*Return the girls soccer season to 14 weeks, at it was prior to the 1999 season. The committee requests the additional week be added to the end of the season. (8-0-1 in favor)
*Add a fourth division in girls soccer when the number of schools sponsoring the sport exceeds 320.
*Continue the requirement that a school administrator or faculty designee to be present at all MHSAA Tournament series games, but change the penalty from game forfeiture to school disciplinary action so that the competition can take place. (9-0 in favor)
*Allow a school with FIELD turf to host MHSAA District Tournament games if the potential schools in the District agree. (8-0 in favor)
*Allow district soccer games to be officiated by the 3-whistle system if all teams in that district use the system during regular season play. (8-1-1 in favor)