BCAM VIDEO AIMS at COACH-OFFICIAL RELATIONSHIP N an Attempt to Educate Coaches on the Importance of Sportsmanship Is Also Addressed in the Video

Winter 2007 Vol. III, No. 2

The Michigan High School Athletic Association Newsletter for Coaches and Officials Living in Harmony BCAM VIDEO AIMS AT COACH-OFFICIAL RELATIONSHIP n an attempt to educate coaches on the importance of Sportsmanship is also addressed in the video. officials recruitment and retention throughout the state, “Sportsmanship is still a priority of BCAM,” Hursey said. Ithe Basketball Coaches of Michigan produced a video “Coaches need to show some class as they coach. There’s this fall shown at MHSAA rules meetings and featured on a right way and a wrong way to communicate with officials. the MHSAA Broadcast Network. Show them the respect that they deserve. They have the One of the leading reasons young officials are leaving toughest job in sports. the sports officiating field is the behavior on the sidelines A version of the same message, aimed at spectators is and in the stands, a trend that must cease if a steady flow of forthcoming and will be distributed to television stations and competent, trained officials is expected. cable outlets. The two-minute video features To view the BCAM video, please visit the MHSAA BCAM director Tom Broadcast Network archives online at: Hursey and longtime mhsaanetwork.com, under “Featured Saginaw High School Broadcasts.” boys coach Marshall Thomas.

The message encourages coaches to work with officials as they develop, to help retain those individuals in the avoca- tion. The video was played at the Breslin Center in East Lansing during the recently completed MHSAA Girls Basketball Finals, and also aired during FSN Detroit’s tele- casts of the MHSAA Finals. “All officials start out like new coaches,” says Thomas in the video. “They need time to improve and become the competent officials who all coaches want calling their games.” Thomas suggests that varsity coaches take the lead in explaining to the subvarsity coaches that the manner in which they relate to young officials can have a major impact on the development of quality officiating.

Inside: “Sharpening Your Saw”

Attend this Winter! COACHES ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM OUTLINE If you are a coach who has never attended a CAP 1 6 Hours Coaches Advancement Program course, consider 2 hours: Coaches Make the Difference: yourself at a competitive disadvantage. MHSAA Philosophy and Regulations Instituted in 2005 by the MHSAA and the Michigan 2 hours: Effective Instruction: The Coach as Teacher State University Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, 2 hours: Sports Medicine and First Aid the program takes coaching beyond the games to address matters such as communication, philosophy, CAP 2 6 Hours instruction and nutrition to assist in your everyday 2 hours: Effective Communication: Characteristics of duties as a coach. Coaches Who are Great Communicators The MHSAA and ISYS look forward to helping 2 hours: Legal Responsibilities of Coaches coaches provide their student-athletes with the best that interscholastic athletics has to offer. 2 hours: Psychology of Coaching After a record-setting year of attendance during 2005-06, the 2006-07 school year is off to a strong CAP 3 6 Hours start as well. As of December, 506 coaches had 2.5 hours: Additional Coaching Responsibilities: attended the 29 courses offered. We urge you to push Becoming Aware of your Many Resources this figure higher in the coming months. 2 hours: Effectively Working with Parents Consult the MHSAA Web site at mhsaa.com and 1.5 hours: The Coach as Performer: Managing Your Time click on “Coaches” for an updated schedule of CAP and Energy Level courses near you this winter and spring. Simply fill out the enrollment form and return to the MHSAA to CAP4 6 Hours secure your spot in the program. 2 hours: Teaching Technical and Tactical Skills 2.5 hours: Strength and Conditioning: Designing Your Program MHSAA Coaches 1.5 hours: Preparing for Success

Advancement Program CAP 5 6 Hours Value Added Benefits 2 hours: Healthy Living 2 hours: Controlling Emotions in Pressure Situations INSURANCE: Liability insurance coverage in the 2 hours: Resolving Conflicts in Athletics amount of $1 million per occurrence. This protection extends to coaches’ performance of duties for the CAP 6 6 Hours school team during the interscholastic season. The coverage is good for the year that the coach success- 6 hours: Current Issues & Topics in Educational Athletics fully completes the program and the following year. Coaches Advancement Program Certification NEWSLETTER: GamePlans is an electronic newsletter that is sent six times a year to coaches who CAP Beginning Certification = 12 hours have successfully completed six hours of the Coaches CAP Intermediate Certification = 18 hours Advancement Program. The GamePlans newsletter CAP Advanced Certification = 24 hours contains pertinent articles that will assist coaches in CAP Masters Certification = 30 hours their daily planning. GamePlans also publishes a CAP Masters Elite Certification = 36 hours record of all coaches who have been certified through the MHSAA Coaches Advancement Program. Certification would occur after the first 12 hours with subsequent incre- STATE BOARD – CONTINUING EDUCATION ments of 6 hours for a total of 36 hours available. Additional units could UNITS: State Board-Continuing Education Units (SB- be written and received after the first 36 hours have been completed. CEUs) are available to coaches and can be used for the renewal of selected certificates issued by the NOTE: A coach who has completed Level 1 of the former “PACE” pro- Michigan Department of Education. Coaches who gram may advance to Level 2 in CAP. A coach who has completed Level complete a six-hour session are eligible to receive a .6 1 and 2 from the PACE program may advance to Level 3 in CAP. SB-CEU.

For the most updated CAP Schedule consult mhsaa.com Click on “Coaches” from the left-hand nav bar

2 Feedback Forum

MENTOR, and after the two teams shook hands, his ing. Interestingly, the officials didn't quite This is a heartwarming story that every teammates carried him off the field on their understand and they said, “We can't give person needs to hear and share with any- shoulders. you a technical, you're one of the best guys one you know in education, coaching, or The young men, both players and in the area.” He had to explain, and eventu- who is always complaining about what is coaches, showed the utmost class and ally put six players in the game to draw the bad with the world today. sportsmanship. In watching the game film technical. This year we have a freshman player you can see that Brandon did everything in “My daughter had her 15 seconds of who has Downs Syndrome. He loves sports their power to make sure this play was as fame her senior year, able to enter a game and is a pleasant kid to be around. For obvi- real as could be including blocking and at home and score a point. The applause ous reason he does not get into games on chasing our athlete down the field towards was at least as much for John as it was for a regular basis, but sometimes opportuni- the end zone. It is these situations which Randi. I have never heard so many people ties do arise when our coaching staff feels don't happen enough in sports that make at a game talk about how classy an oppos- comfortable getting him in. dealing with all the negativity in sports and ing coach was – the entire crowd was We played a freshmen football game education worth it. The players and coach- impressed and grateful. Whoever thought against Brandon High School. The game es from Brandon High School will always 15 seconds could mean so much to a was a good contest all-around which saw hold a special place in my heart and hope- young athlete. At least one thing that Fenton leading 28-14 with less than a fully in yours as well. almost didn't happen this senior year, did. minute to go. On what was believed to be She stepped on the court and scored one the last play of the game our quarterback Michael S Bakker point. John Krim, an opposing coach, made handed the ball off to this young man. Athletic Director it happen. Although he didn't gain any yards on the Fenton High School “Please forward my thanks to your play, he was still able to play and have his administration and to John.” name announced for the carry over the PA MENTOR, system for him and his family to hear. It was Here's just one more example of a truly Calvin DeKuiper a great scene, seeing his teammates clap great act of sportsmanship in Michigan Superintendent for him on the sideline, as well as the joy high school athletics. What follows is the Ludington Schools that it brought to the faces of his parents letter I sent to Fremont Public Schools. and family in the stands. What happened (John Krim is the Fremont girl's varsity bas- next was amazing. ketball coach; L.A. Johnson is the assistant The coaches from Brandon noticed that coach). In our line of work, it's nice to hear there was something “different” about this the good things, too. athlete, and asked a member of the chain “Dear Superintendent Kingsnorth: gang crew on the sideline what the story I just wanted to pass along a compli- was. After hearing that he had Downs ment to John Krim, L.A. Johnson, and your Syndrome, they called timeout with 10 sec- basketball program. My daughter is a sen- onds to go. The head coach called over his ior basketball player here in Ludington, a team and the officials and told everyone four-year starter. She tore an ACL in the that Fenton was going to run one more play second game of this senior year and never and that this student was going to get the stepped onto the home floor during a game opportunity to score a touchdown. The offi- her entire senior year, never scored a point cials told our coach and in turn our coach on her home floor. She has often talked, lined up the team to run one last play. these last few months, about what it will feel Fenton's coach never told his team specifi- like to look back on high school – remem- cally what was going to happen. So with 10 bering what didn't happen. seconds to play Fenton snapped the ball “Last night in the fourth quarter of a Please submit your views and opinions to: and handed it off and away No. 7 went game that was out-of-reach, John sent a [email protected]. The MHSAA wel- down the field for a 70-yard run and ulti- message to the LHS bench that he was comes viewpoints from member school mately six points. He was mobbed by his going to intentionally get a technical foul personnel and contest officials. We thank teammates in the end zone. After the game and to tell Randi that she would be shoot- you for your readership.

3 This is the year . . . From the Editor

This Resolution Shouldn’t Take a Revolution. Live it Everyday.

MENTOR is published three times per year by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing, MI 48823 (Phone 517-332-5046). Edited by Rob Kaminski. MENTOR welcomes contributions of articles, information or pho- tos which focus on coaching and officiating in Michigan. Send them to [email protected], or the above address.

4 Scope of School Sports

Scope Award Promotes Sports Role Student Advisory Council s announced during the fall your building and in your commu- Applications Available Soon tournament season, AT&T is nity? sponsoring the MHSAA’s first • Student (does not have to be an A AT&T is also funding the MHSAA’s first ever Scope Award. This award honors athlete) – How you have benefited one school in each enrollment class (A- from your school’s perspective on ever Student Advisory Council. Eight jun- B-C-D) for its work in promoting the prop- school sports? iors from around the state are offering the er role of school sports. In addition to • Coach or teacher – How has student perspective to the MHSAA on a statewide recognition, each school will your school’s perspective on number of issues including Sportsman- receive $2,500 to be applied toward con- school sports helped the atmos- ship Summit planning, potential rule and tinuing local promotion of a sensible phere on your team and/or the regulation changes, and helping the scope for its athletic program. spirit of your school. MHSAA speak to students more effective- The application for the 2006-07 • Person outside of the school ly. SAC members also assist Scope Award is available NOW. The (parent, store owner, mayor, local Representative Council members during application and all corresponding materi- registered official, long-time fan, MHSAA Finals award ceremonies, as als are due to the MHSAA on Feb. 23. etc.) – How does the school’s per- Constantine’s Andria Baker (below) The four winning schools will be recog- spective on school sports affect prepares to do near the conclusion of the nized at the MHSAA Boys Basketball you and your community. Division 6 Football Final in November. Finals on March 24. 3. Additional Materials. Provide any This spring, eight new students from The application process requires a additional materials that show how the Class of 2009 will be added to the cur- team of individuals to produce the fol- your school promotes the proper rent group of eight students to form a full lowing items: scope of school sports. Materials 16-person Student Advisory Council. All may include: representatives will serve two-year terms • A student-produced video of no and are expected to attend 5-6 Sunday longer than 3 minutes meetings throughout the school year. • Flyers/newsletters about your Applications will be available on school’s programming MHSAA.com in March and are due in late • Copies of scope-related language April. For more information, contact used in your athletic code of con- MHSAA Marketing Coordinator Andy duct Frushour – [email protected]. • Any other material that adequate- 1. Application information. Any per- ly portrays your school’s perspec- son from the school can complete this tive on school sport. part, but it will likely be completed by the athletic administrator. On school Submitting Materials: In an enve- letterhead: lope no larger than 10 inches by 13 inch- • List your title and contact informa- es, please submit the information from tion, including mailing address parts No. 1-3 above. and e-mail address. • List the number/level of sports Thank you to AT&T for funding the offered by the school, the number MHSAA’s scope-related programming, of student-athletes in the school including the Scope Award and the new and the percentage of the school Student Advisory Council. Joe Fuhrman enrollment that participates in from AT&T has been our contact on this school sports. project, and he may be calling you this • In 250 words or less, describe winter to talk about this sponsorship as how your school will utilize the well as some of their school fund-raising $2,500 award. activities. For more information about 2. Four short essays. Contact four dif- AT&T’s relationship with the MHSAA, you ferent people affiliated with your can contact Mr. Fuhrman directly at (734) school or community, and have them 367-3554 or [email protected], or you can answer the appropriate question visit the AT&T Web site at below using no more than 250 words. www.att.com/affiliate. You must include a person from each For more information about the Scope of the following four groups. Award or the application process, please • Athletic director or other school contact MHSAA Marketing Coordinator administrator – How does your Andy Frushour at 517-332-5046 or school promote a sensible scope [email protected], or visit the for educational athletics both in Scope Award page at mhsaa.com. Visual Image Photography

5 ISYS Update Remember to Sharpen Your Saw his article is being written during emphasis.You have known the thrill of vic- the holiday season, a season in tory and the agony of defeat or having to Twhich many of us think about deal with that ugly fan or crowd or experi- giving to others. What comes to my mind, enced the simple joy of a coach or athlete however, is not a call for you to give more, saying well done. More importantly, offici- but to thank you for giving so much ating and coaching demands considerable already. Specifically, I want to take this time, often away from one's family and opportunity to recognize you for all your loved ones. For these reasons it is essen- hard work in helping young people. It is tial that you develop emotional manage- only through your painstaking efforts that ment strategies. These might include over 300,000 students in our state have learning to take a slow, deep centering the opportunity to take part and benefit breath to calm things down when they from interscholastic athletic experiences. I become too hectic; focusing on the posi- also know this is no easy task in an envi- tive when many around you become pre- ronment of declining budgets, increased occupied with the negative; and releasing professionalization of sports, declining one's frustration in a controlled manner sportsmanship on the part of the public Daniel Gould versus emotionally melting down. It is also and overzealous fans. So, thank you for Professor and Director critical to develop a network of others who your efforts to keep educational athletics Institute for the Study of Youth Sports can provide social support – people you educational. Michigan State University can talk with in a safe but honest manner. I also know that most of you have Lastly, it is important to develop ways to entered the coaching and officiating fields their book, The Power of Full release emotional energy and recharge because you care about the games played Engagement, sport and business psychol- your batteries (fish, go for daily walks or and the student-athletes who play them. ogists James Loehr and Charles Swartz runs, schedule some time by yourself). We certainly know that most of you are not (2003) discuss the importance of each of doing high school coaching and officiating us learning to better regulate our physical, Mental Energy for the financial wealth you achieve or emotional, mental and spiritual energy to To be a consistent top performer, one ease of the job. However, research has fully engage and consistently perform at must manage his or her mental energy. shown that individuals in the helping pro- our best. What follows are some of the Failing to get enough sleep or being run fessions, like you, often have a personal guidelines suggested from their work. down and tired because you are out of blind spot that over time can detract from shape will have negative mental ramifica- the enjoyment of what you do and even GUIDELINES FOR tions, whether it is forgetting that important contribute to shortened careers through MANAGING YOUR ENERGY task or making a mistake because of a burnout. That blind spot is consistently Physical Energy momentary loss of focus. It is easier to putting everyone else's needs before your Just as athletes don't perform well manage mental energy if one has a larger own and not doing enough to take care of unless fit, hydrated and properly fueled, gas tank and more fuel in it. Hence, it is yourself – physically, emotionally, mental- you as coaches and officials do not per- imperative that you take time on a consis- ly, and spiritually. In fact, much heralded form at your best unless you take care of tent basis to become better students of business author, Stephen Covey (2004a) yourself physically. This includes eating a the game by increasing your coaching or refers to this as “sharpening the saw,” or well-balanced diet, staying active and officiating knowledge to better understand having strategies that allow you to keep physically fit and making concerted efforts the game. This may involve attending a yourself in top working order. So, just like to stay hydrated. We all know this, but MHSAA-sponsored clinic or conference a master craftsman, you only can function often find it hard to practice what we and/or simply reserving time each week to optimally as coaches and officials (and preach. More and more it is being recog- engage in reading and self-study. really help student-athletes) if you take nized, however, that this is not only a care of your primary tools: your bodies health issue, but a peak performance Spiritual Energy and minds. issue and as coaches and officials you People stay more fully engaged when Now don't get me wrong. To be suc- want to be performing at the top of your they have a well-thought out sense of pur- cessful, all of us have to make sacrifices game. You must make managing your pose in their lives, clear coaching and offi- and “suck it up” at times for the good of the physical state a high priority not just on ciating philosophies, and take part in con- kids and the game. And, in the short run, game day, but everyday. sistent self-reflection. In fact, leadership this is not a problem. Doing so over time, expert Stephen Convey (2004b) talks however, increases the stress placed on Emotional Energy about this as finding your voice and under- us, often resulting in declines in productiv- Coaching and officiating are certainly standing your unique, personal signifi- ity, decreased health and a loss of motiva- emotional endeavors. You must interact cance and allowing that to guide your tion. with countless others in an environment actions. As our world becomes more multi- Things do not have to be this way. In that our society places a good deal of faceted and fast-paced, taking time to 6 reflect on some of those bigger issues is becoming increasingly difficult. It would certainly be mind boggling to address spiritual issues 24 hours a day, however, top performers set time aside to deal with their spiritual lives whether that involves formal religion or less formal reflection of values and purpose. Make it a priority to periodically set time aside to sharpen your spiritual saw. People stay more fully engaged when SELF-DISCIPLINE they have a well-thought out sense of Hopefully you can see the importance of taking care of your- purpose in their lives, clear coaching self – sharpening your personal saws – by taking care of your and officiating philosophies, and take own physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. However, part in consistent self-reflection. hoping to do this and getting it done can be two very different things. For this reason, it is imperative that you stay disciplined in taking care of yourself – set some specific goals (e.g., run at least four days a week, don't skip breakfast) have a plan, write it down, and look at it often. It is also helpful to inform others around you of your plan so they can support it instead of unknow- ingly undermine it (stay out late partying versus getting rest before an early morning game). Inevitably there will be road- blocks that detour even the best-laid routes, so don't give up on taking care of yourself if you get off track for a week. Just reset your sights and commit to doing more the next week.

FINAL THOUGHTS Having compassion, working hard and showing that you care about the game and those who participate in it are critical com- ponents for effective coaching and officiating. They are also laud- able qualities that make your vocation so special. But even the most knowledgeable coach or official cannot function at the top of his or her game with poor equipment. And the most important equipment you have is yourself. While it is often difficult to discipline yourself to take the time and make the effort to sharpen your saw and optimize your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energy, it will be time well-spent for yourself and those you work with. I implore you to make it happen.

REFERENCES Covey, S. (2004a). The seven habits of highly effective people. New York: Free Press. Covey, S. (2004b). The eight habit: From effectiveness to great- ness. New York: Free Press. Loehr, J., & Schwartz, T. (2003). The power of full engagement. New York: Simon & Schuster. And We Quote “We have a moral obligation to play every kid that we recruit. We have a philosophy that is very inclusive, we try to play a deep roster, and we think this sort of work ethic on the field and commitment to the entire group that we recruit benefits us in many ways. The kids know they’re going to get a chance to play, and with the minutes they have, if they work hard, they know they’re going to play again.”

– Anson Dorrance, Women’s Soccer Coach University of North Carolina

Note: UNC has won 17 NCAA titles, and has just 27 losses in 27 years with this philosophy. Likely not a coincidence.

7 Health & Safety Conditioning Key to Preventing Throwing Injuries oday's competitive sports that involve overhead throwing have led to frequent injuries of the shoulder and elbow. TMany young athletes are playing longer seasons on mul- tiple teams with an increasing pressure to win and push themselves beyond their physical limits. In this article, we will briefly explore these injuries, recognition of warning signs and prevention methods. The throwing mechanism results in tremendous torque to the joints of the upper extremity. The athletes' natural ability, muscular conditioning, and proper throwing mechanics all contribute to tunately seen increasingly in our youth. Elbow avulsion fractures extended performance. Failure to pay proper attention to the con- are also on the rise. These injuries force athletes from play for tribution and integration of all three factors will result in physical months; many may require surgery. Yet, early intervention can breakdown and injury. keep many athletes playing with minimal to no lost playing time. Shoulder impingement, sometimes referred to as bursitis, pres- While early injury intervention is extremely important, preven- ents as shoulder pain when the arm is overhead and rotated. tion is paramount. Athletes are responsible for sport-specific con- Throwing through the pain will strain the underlying rotator cuff ditioning. High torque and repetitive muscular demand, such as muscles, and will placed on a baseball pitcher, requires the utmost of preseason certainly result in muscular conditioning and an understanding of proper throwing failure (declining mechanics. Regardless of ability, an athlete's 'failure to prepare' performance and will result in 'failure to perform.' eventual failure The 2006 USA Baseball Medical and Safety Advisory to throw). App- Committee issued new age-specific guidelines to limit pitches ropriate inter- thrown, with all breaking pitches such as curve balls and sliders to vention at the be avoided until growth plate closure. In 2007, Little League onset of pain Baseball will require daily pitch count monitoring (ranging from 75 (before the rapid for ages 10 and under to under 105 for ages 17-18) with mandat- decline of per- ed rest periods. This new ruling reflects scientific studies that iden- formance) allows tify the injured throwing athlete to be the one who throws more for the pre- often (i.e., those who threw more months, more innings, and more dictable reversal games, as well as those who continued to throw with arm pain and of injury, in most fatigue). cases. Athletes, A “successful” game or season could result in a short-lived therefore, should career. Coaches, parents, and athletes should recognize that any not fear reprisal interest in 'performance longevity' will never be achieved with a from coaches for focus on short term success. Recognized 'ability' needs to be cul- hurting! It is in tivated through muscular conditioning and the execution of proper the athlete's and throwing mechanics. 'Ability overuse' is an 'abuse of ability'; it is team's best detrimental and career limiting. It can sometimes be difficult to interest to play identify in its early stages with athletes wanting to perform and suc- pain free and in ceed; therefore, it is important for coaches and parents to create an good health. atmosphere of support for the injured and to emphasize the 'impor- Sports Medicine tance of preparation' for the aspiring ball player.

The “Tommy John” injury to the elbow medial collateral ligament (MCL), at one time an adult problem, is unfortunately seen increasingly in our youth. 20-20 Photographic trained and/or interested Physicians can assist the athletes' most Today's societal and peer pressures will not easily allow for the rapid, yet safe, return to sport, usually with the assistance of appro- proper cultivation of our young athlete's 'ability'-therefore, we must priately trained physical therapists and certified athletic trainers. take the 'responsibility' to protect our youth. Adherence to age Elbow pain, particularly on the inside or medial aspect, is also appropriate pitch count, preseason sport and position specific con- a very common warning sign. While muscular strain at the outset ditioning, and a respect for pain as a warning sign of injury. is very reversible, ligament rupture and/or bony avulsion fractures For further information on this article or for priority appoint- from throwing are not. The “Tommy John” injury to the elbow medi- ments for sports injuries please contact Henry Ford Center for al collateral ligament (MCL), at one time an adult problem, is unfor- Athletic Medicine at 313-972-4216. 8 MRSA Education Tools Fight Staph Infection

o help its schools – especially wrestling schools – take The MHSAA made MRSA education a priority at its preseason preventative steps to keep a strong staph infection from wrestling rules meetings, a sport in which it has dealt with other Timpacting the well being of student-athletes, the Michigan communicable disease issues in the past. High School Athletic Association has been providing education and “What we’ve done at our wrestling rules meeting this season is resources about Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus – begun a fairly comprehensive education program dealing with commonly referred to as MRSA. MRSA,” said Mark Uyl, MHSAA Assistant Director. “We’re really MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to certain trying to get the word out there through an education program that antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more coaches have to be vigilant in keeping things clean, kids keeping common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. themselves clean and their equipment clean. If a student-athlete Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among does develop the condition, early detection to properly identify the persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing infection then is really the key. homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems. However, MRSA has found its way into the community at-large recently, The MHSAA made and the athletic community in partic- MRSA education ular. Factors that have been associat- a priority at its ed with the spread of MRSA skin preseason infections include: close skin-to-skin wrestling rules contact, openings in the skin such as cuts or abrasions, contaminated meetings, a sport items and surfaces, crowded living in which it has conditions, and poor hygiene. Staph dealt with other bacteria, including MRSA, can cause skin infections that may look communicable like a pimple, boil or insect bite at disease issues in first and can be red, swollen, painful, the past. or have pus or other drainage. More serious infections may cause pneu- monia, bloodstream infections, and destroy body tissue.

Mark Dull, Jackson

“It’s something that can attack internal tissue and internal organs if it’s not detected early on,” Uyl added. “MRSA starts out looking like something as innocent as a pimple or a spider bite, and a kid will let it go for several days before seeking treatment, and then many doctors are still misdiagnosing this and prescribing an antibiotic, and MRSA is resistant to most forms of antibiotics. Now it’s three or four more days later and the condition has gotten worse and worse. Early detection is the key.” Among the resources the MHSAA has made available are brochures and posters developed by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Both help describe how to identify MRSA, how to prevent the infection from occurring and what to do if it does occur. Both items can be downloaded from the Michigan Department of Community Health Web site, and are also available for download from the wrestling page of the MHSAA Web site.

Posters and brochures regarding MRSA prevention may be downloaded from the Wrestling page of the MHSAA Web site.

9 Student Spotlight “Chopper” is Real Team Player nce in a while, a coach is than scoring points, snagging rebounds or blessed to have on his team a seeing her picture in the newspaper. Oplayer who helps define the char- “I just love it! Being around the girls and acter of all of those who line up beside her. the coaches – just being apart of the team,” Stephanie Chopp was that player for Coach Chopp stated. “I can't even think about all of Troy Wright and his 2006 Mattawan girls the different things I have learned about life, basketball team. not just basketball, while I have been on the “Stephanie is the ultimate team player,” team. I do this because I love it.” said Wright. “She has understood the The senior guard credits her time on the importance of her role from day one. Every team with helping to give her tools to suc- day she gives everything she has. She is a ceed during the rest of her life. special person who has contributed greatly “I'll know what it's like to have to work to our team, putting the team's needs first.” for something,” she said. “Not everything is For two years now, Chopp has shown going to be given to me, or anyone else. up to practice with the full knowledge that There are no guarantees.” her hard work and determination might not always be rewarded playing time. – Daniel Thornton Mattawan’s Stephanie Chopp Instead, the senior guard for the Paw Paw Courier Leader Wildcats constantly looks to fulfill her role as a teammate in other ways. “I know I am not the most talented player on our team, but I've always been the Net Gains role model in that I try to encourage my teammates on and off the court,” said t barely 5-feet, 91 pounds, I am smirk and told me I would be an “extra” on Chopp. “I love being that person on the petite; some may even call me the team. Basically, I was a benchwarmer. team. I love having that role – that role of Atiny. Sometimes I am mistaken I wasn't as skilled as the other girls, so I helping to pick up my team and help us get for a 10-year old. No wonder people are told myself it was understandable. the most out of ourselves.” surprised when I mention that I am an However, I pushed myself harder than I Mattawan's girls basketball program athlete. I love the smell of a fresh tennis knew I could at every practice. I needed to has a long and bright list over the years of ball straight from the can and the energy be playing on the courts on match days; I several superstar players who have taken that's released after a ball's been needed to feel alive like the other girls. I to the court and led the team. This year, the smashed. It didn't always feel empower- must not have improved enough, because Wildcats were led in scoring by Tricia ing; acceptance on the courts was a bat- I spent the season cheering on my team- Principe, Nicole Weller and Nicole tle for this “little” athlete. mates. I think I learned a lot that year, not Compher. I began playing tennis casually only about tennis technique, but also how But scoring does not always show the around the age of 12. I was not terrible; I frustration and disappointment can help true spirit of a team. just hit every ball way over the fence. Like you do what needs to be done. “The coaches and my teammates make any beginner, I didn't know what I was I loved being there for my teammates, basketball what it is,” added the feisty doing or particularly care. A few years and they appreciated my being at every guard. “If I played for a team where we all later, I realized that I wanted to play a practice, every game. But I wanted more, cared about ourselves first, it wouldn't sport in high school, especially since so I worked hard over the summer. My make the year what it is. They have shown some of my older friends were on the girls coach paid attention to my improvement me so many new perspectives about the tennis team. They knew I had been hitting at practice. I played No. 4 singles on game, and about life, through what I have for a few years, and convinced me about Junior Varsity. The Varsity coach noticed learned from basketball.” the fun of being on a school team. When I me and I played No. 4 singles on Varsity “Chopper,” as she is called by team- walked onto the courts the first day for try- my junior year. At first, I was excited about mates and friends, comes to each practice outs, I saw that these Varsity girls had not their attention. Now I realize I didn't need with a blue-collar, lunchbox approach, a been playing casually. Balls were their approval. I worked as hard as I could trait not unnoticed by her peers. whizzing faster than I could see, racquets and kept my chin up during their disap- “She just shows up everyday looking to were glinting with grace in the sun, and proval. I knew I could do it; that was all work hard and help us all become better,” white tennis shoes slapped hot on the that mattered. said Principe. “In games it's good to have asphalt. Needless to say, I was intimidat- As a senior, I played No. 2 singles on her around, too. She brings an energy and ed, and it was difficult not to sprint away the Varsity Tennis Team. Now, when I intensity that we might not have otherwise. right then. However, something made my shake hands with a taller opponent at the She is always going to try to help pick us up feet stick to the red asphalt...I felt this beginning of a match, she gives me the when we aren't playing well.” alien energy coming from the girls on the look I got from my JV coach my freshman Chopp is a rarity in today's age of play- courts. There was ethereal beauty in how year. By the end of the game, she knows ing time being viewed as the judge-all of a they moved, how they became their I am no benchwarmer. When we shake player’s abilities. game. This is when I knew I wanted to hands again, I think, “Sorry my game's Chopp's passion for the game of bas- play for real. not as petite as I am!” ketball transcends the joy found by walking The Junior Varsity coach looked me onto the playing surface during a contest. up and down when I told him I was inter- — Ankita Mohanty Chopp’s love for the sport means far more ested. He gave me a condescending Mt. Pleasant High School Student

10 Coaches Corner GOING SOMEWHERE? Submit Travel Form to MHSAA Prior to Leaving

Coaches Can “Win” By Being Better Educators

Educators are uniquely positioned to touch the lives of people. However, it seems that we have to dig through a mountain of sta- tistical data in order to find education these days. Educators are being given more responsibility than ever before; they are being held to higher levels of accountability than ever before. But I am convinced that Mark Hopkins' definition of education given many years ago still holds true: “Education is a teacher on one end of a log and a student on the other end.” The knowledge base has mul- tiplied exponentially over time, pedagogy has a never-ending cycle If your team is headed to warmer climates to prepare for the of fads, and demographics seem to be out of control, but educators upcoming spring sports season, please be reminded that a Travel have to connect with students. Form for Out-of-State Practice is required by the MHSAA. Educators who coach are still primarily educators. The Regulation II, Section 6 (B) requires schools to notify the “classroom of the coach” offers many advantages over other class- MHSAA in writing at least thirty (30) days in advance of departure rooms, but it also has many challenges. Coaches must define their for any interstate travel beyond six hundred (600) highway miles coaching role, and then commit themselves to it. Is your primary round trip by high school teams, under school jurisdiction for the function to teach athletic techniques – or is there more? In order to purpose of PRACTICE. All schools that complete this form will be fulfill the role properly, the coach must balance the competitive listed in the MHSAA Bulletin and on the MHSAA Web site. drive that is inherent within most coaches with the desire to touch Additionally, note:The submission of the “Form” to the MHSAA lives of students effectively. There will be some (perhaps many) in office in no sense implies the MHSAA approves the activity or your community who will judge your success solely by competitive accepts any responsibility for the activity. MHSAA catastrophic victories. We must try to educate those people to a bigger view, or accident medical insurance does NOT cover ANY activities we will allow them to define the coaching role for us. beyond the mileage limits of MHSAA HANDBOOK Regulation II, All educators must develop a philosophy of education, and Section 6, even if those activities are not expressly prohibited by coaches are no exception. Are you a potter who shapes lumps of the MHSAA. clay into useful or beautiful objects? Are you a gardener who The MHSAA HANDBOOK states in part that no member plants seeds, nurtures, and sometimes prunes living beings? It is school shall compete in any interstate meet, single game of a mul- OK to be a potter when it comes to teaching athletic techniques, tiple-team event, contest or scrimmage which involves travel of but I think gardeners are more effective for teaching life-long les- more than six hundred (600) highway miles round trip for any par- sons to students.The more you strengthen the lives of your athletes ticipating school. for the long-run, the more team benefits accrue in the short-term. It is imperative that your school is in compliance with this Team-building is important to the development of the individual requirement prior to packing your bags. members as well as to the collective group. This begins by acquainting your athletes with their uniqueness and then convinc- ing them to invest their uniqueness in group goals. When you are trying to be a winning coach and a coach who touches the lives of your athletes, remember the following general axioms: a) Talk often Questions? about the lifelong values that can be learned through athletic par- ticipation; b) Explain to your athletes what you want and why you The most efficient method of communication with the think that is important; c) When people know you care, they over- MHSAA on eligibility questions is through the athletic look a lot of your weaknesses. director or principal. Athletic directors should gather all information necessary on a question and then call or write the No matter how complicated the business of education may MHSAA. Coaches or parents calling the MHSAA on eligibility become, there will always be the important element of “touching a matters can create confusion and delay. ADs or principals are life in a meaningful way” that has to be considered. I hope that we encouraged to contact the MHSAA office directly. Please fol- can all work together for the benefit of our students in athletics and low this efficient path of communication. competitive activities. — Ralph Swearngin, Executive Director Georgia High School Association 11 Sportsmanship Fall Good Sports Are Winners! Award Recipients Tabbed

ver 200 teams representing over dards are presented a crystal up in their respective sports, 150 schools have been selected trophy and commemorative while Macomb Dakota won Oto be recognized for displaying banner. St. Clair in girls bas- the Division 1 football champi- outstanding sportsmanship during selected ketball, Macomb Dakota in onship. It is the first time St. Fall Michigan High School Athletic football, and Livonia Clair or Dakota has been Association postseason tournament com- Stevenson in boys soccer named a recipient of a Finals petitions through the Good Sports Are were selected by the tourna- award, while Stevenson also Winners! Program, and all will receive ment management at their won the boys soccer award in awards ranging from framed certificates to respective Finals for display- 1993. commemorative banners and crystal tro- ing the exemplary sports- Several schools were rep- phies from MEEMIC Insurance, the manship by their coaches, resented in more than one Association's corporate partner in sports- student-athletes and spectators. sport this fall, while only Petoskey received manship efforts. Presentation dates at each winning mention in all three sports. Girls basketball The program is conducted in team school will be announced at a future date. led the way with 125 schools feted, fol- sports, with schools being evaluated by St. Clair (Class B) and Livonia lowed by 63 schools in football and 27 in tournament management at District, Stevenson (Division 1) finished as runners- boys soccer. Regional and Final Round sites. This Fall, a total of 215 teams were selected from 196 schools in tournaments conducted in girls basketball, football and boys soccer. At the District, Regional, Quarterfinal and Semifinal levels of MHSAA tournaments, all schools which meet a set of high sports- manlike standards are recognized. Those schools will be presented framed certificates from MEEMIC Insurance. Those teams will also be recognized through the publication of their names in the MHSAA Bulletin, the MHSAA Finals program series, and on the MHSAA Web site. During the course of the school year, nearly 1,000 teams will be recognized in 15 activities for their sportsmanship efforts during MHSAA tournaments. At the Finals in those tournaments, schools judged to have met those stan- Visual Image Photography

Livonia Stevenson took Good Sports Are Winners! Award honors during the MHSAA Boys Soccer Finals, while St. Clair and its following displayed excellent sportsmanship during the Girls Basketball Finals to claim the award in the fall.The teams will be honored in ceremonies at their schools later this school year.

Visual Image Photography

Complete lists of the Good Sports Are Winners! Award recipients can be found on the Recognition page of the MHSAA Web site.

Evaluation/Report Forms for Tournament Managers may also be found on the Good Sports Are Winners! Award page, as well as the Administration page under Tournament and Event Management.

12 Officially Speaking Officials Observation Program to Serve as Training Tool

In an effort to help improve the training and education of registered officials the MHSAA is testing an observation and evaluation program this year. The program is dependent upon local Approved Associations investing the time and personnel to observe contest officials as they work. “We are excited about the program, because traditionally Quick Whistles speaking officials have always received feedback from our schools, from coaches and athletic directors through a ratings process,” said View Ratings Online MHSAA Assistant Director Mark Uyl. “The downfall of this system MHSAA registered officials can view their ratings online by historically is that officials haven’t been getting much meaningful logging in to the Officials Services page of the MHSAA Web site, feedback.” mhsaa.com. Click on Officials from the login menu on the home While the current rating system can be influenced by wins/loss- page, enter your ID number and password, then take advantage es, favorable call/unfavorable call, officials stand to benefit more of a multitude of interactive features within. from peer critiques which would include categories such as posi- Officials can verify their current standing within Approved tioning, mechanics and game management. To that end, the Associations, view current rules meeting schedules, and update MHSAA Representative Council last spring approved an observers their contact information in addition to viewing their ratings. program for eight sports, categorizing standards for observation. The ratings page offers a comprehensive look at ratings histo- “We are now working with some local Approved Associations ry of each official, by year and by sport. Officials can see the num- which are sending observers to contests to watch officials,” Uyl ber of ratings and average per season, per sport and per level, said. “They then meet with the officials afterward to go over the along with ratings distributions and categories for improvement. things they did well, areas that might need improvement, and fol- Another column lists the official’s quartile rank, which was was lowing up with correspondence a week to 10 days after the con- developed to give approved officials (16 or more ratings over a 3- test.” year period) an idea of “where they stand” when compared with A pilot program this fall involved more than 20 football crews in other approved officials in a particular zone for specific sports. For western Michigan, affording over 70 officials the opportunity for example, a quartile ranking of second would indicate the official is peer evaluations. among the second 25 percent of officials in his/her zone accord- “Our football program this fall was outstanding,” Uyl said. “The ing to their ratings average. response we’ve received from both the officials who were Become a Mentor observed, and the observers The MHSAA Legacy themselves, was extremely Student Official Program positive.” offers current officials a Currently, a pilot program chance to recruit aspiring in basketball is underway, officials while strengthening while baseball, softball and the officiating ranks through- soccer are targeted for spring out the state for the future. observation programs. Registered officials are As the program moves for- encouraged to become ward, the MHSAA envisions mentors through the Legacy that observers will be identi- program by completing the fied and nominated through Mentor Pledge form on the local Approved Associations, Officials page of the MHSAA and in turn will attend training Web site. In doing so, the sessions at the annual mentor pledges to work with MHSAA Summer Meeting. a 16-year-old junior or a 17- “The involvement of local year-old senior throughout a associations is the key com- sports season to help them gain enthusiasm and com- ponent in the observation pro- John Johnson, Okemos petence in sports officiating. gram. We really look forward The MHSAA is in the testing phases of an officials evaluation pro- to next summer, when we will During the 2005-06 gram, emphasizing training and feedback from peers in local be training our first group of school year, 102 students observers through Approved Approved Associations in addition to traditional coaches ratings. worked contests through the Associations on a statewide Legacy program. basis,” Uyl added. “The circle of education is completed with those observers going out to assist their fellow officials and provide feed- BCAM Welcomes Officials back.” MHSAA registered officials are invited to the BCAM hospitali- Officials can get a glimpse of the standards and report forms ty room at the Boys Basketball Finals on March 24. Passes are for observers on the Officials page of mhsaa.com. Observation and available at the concourse table across from the Breslin Ticket evaluation forms for six sports appear under Approved Office. Admisison is free with a current officials ID card, and each Associations and Assignors. official may bring a guest for $3. The festivities will take place in the practice gym on the middle level of the Breslin Center.

13 Commentary Lessons from Outer Space ichigander and former astro- appears infinite to the human experience. and provides both a universal and practi- naut, Jack Lousma, recently We are indeed all in this together. cal lesson: the seeds grow toward the Mdescribed to Lansing area Mr. Lousma said that for any advance- nutrients. business leaders some of the lessons he ment in manned space travel, the expert Place the nutrients “above” the seed, learned during his space travels. scientists and engineers tested and that's where the seed sends its roots. Mr. Lousma said that space flight retested as much as they possibly could, Place the nutrients on one side or the encourages one to look at the world from and they established backups to backups other, that's where the roots grow. It's not a top down, rather than bottom up, per- in the event of mechanical failures. But gravity that dictates the direction; it's nutri- spective. Presently, that's not a popular test as they might, eventually the mission tion. business view. Books are promoting man- had to step out on faith. “Some things And so it is, I believe, with children. agement styles can't be tested,” They send down their roots where they that put leaders he said. “Some find their needs are nourished. Where in touch with steps have to they find physical support first and fore- rank and file workers and This top down view provides the sobering their daily reminder that the earth is itself a spacecraft. It issues in mak- has no umbilical cord to an endless supply for ing or deliver- ing goods and our essential needs. We have to take care of services. things and conserve our limited resources. However, also remembering be taken on most; and later emotional support; and to view situa- faith alone.” then for many, spiritual nourishment. tions from the Ultimately, it Where the body, mind and soul are fed, top down – the full vision, the big picture – is on faith, not fact, that society advances. children take root, grow, blossom and is essential to survival, not just in the But when that faith is boxed into religion, reproduce their life's qualities – for good or world of business but also for survival of and religion asserts its certainty and then for bad – in our world. our planet. its superiority, religion frustrates the faith In school, children will be attracted to This top down view provides the that is the future of the world and the hope the teacher, activity sponsor and coach sobering reminder that the earth is itself a of humanity on the precious spaceship who helps them grow . . . who encourages spacecraft. It has no umbilical cord to an earth. them, nurtures them. We must remember endless supply for our essential needs. What does any of this have to do with this as schools work with faculty and as We have to take care of things and con- high school sports? the MHSAA helps them with coaches serve our limited resources. When we run In the early years of manned space through the Coaches Advancement out, the mission is over. exploration, an experiment was conducted Program. This lesson from outer space will In looking at spaceship earth from to discover in which direction roots would be embedded in the curriculum and many miles away, we see no human grow from seeds when there is no gravity. underscored in the presentations of the boundary lines separating countries. It's When there is no up or down, no gravita- MHSAA Coaches Advancement Program. one world. All its humanity are passen- tional force of nature, where do seeds gers on the same small craft hurtling send their roots? — John E. “Jack” Roberts through a minute portion of space that What was learned is not surprising, MHSAA Executive Director

14 Membership Has Its Privileges – And Its Responsibilities

very year, when schools across He wanted to thank the staff for what they known as the MHSAA only works when the state voluntarily become did. member schools do their work. It's up to Emembers of the Michigan High I told him he ought to go thank the schools, as shown in the first illustration, School Athletic Association, they gain the administration at his school, which, along to do the work, report their own rules vio- privilege of participating in the with another school in the community, pro- lations when they find them and assess Association's postseason tournaments; vided the necessary information about the the penalty. After all, they are the MHSAA. but they also accept a major responsibility school breaking the rule for it to complete And when a member school knows that a – to adopt and enforce the regulations in its own investigation and apply the penal- neighboring school is violating the rules, the MHSAA Handbook as their own. ty. that school has the same obligation to see This fall brought with it two illustrations The second illustration shows a couple that the rules are enforced by first contact- – at opposite ends of the spectrum – of different disconnects about how some ing the neighboring school, and if neces- about how differently parties approach think the MHSAA works. First, there's a sary, then contacting the MHSAA office. that responsibility. disconnect at times involving coaches, So many times schools make the The first was a letter from the principal who expect something to be done when Association the heavy when a rule is bro- of a member school, explaining how the they know another coach is breaking the ken and a penalty is applied – but that's school had caught itself in a substantial rules, but who don't want to be the one OK. With over 760 member schools, our Handbook violation, and how it was apply- going on the record to report the violation. shoulders are rather big. But if every ing the penalty to its athletic program. It reminds me of Codebreakers, the school in the Association acted in the It was the perfect example of how a made for TV movie of a year ago, where a same proactive manner as the first school good Association works. And frankly, student-athlete showed incredible in this commentary displayed, perhaps hardly a week doesn't go by where a courage and integrity to stand up and more schools and coaches, like those school, without any involvement of the point out something wrong when he saw it illustrated in the latter part of this opinion, MHSAA office, reports the violation of a at his own school. If the code of silence would adjust their attitudes towards their rule and how it has applied the accompa- coaches take with each other didn't exist, responsibilities of membership and pro- nying penalty. It requires nothing more of our system would have more integrity and vide our kids with an even better model of the MHSAA office than a letter of thanks to fewer rules violations. As a result, the how educational athletic programs should the school for fulfilling its responsibilities of pressure to win would be reduced, and the be conducted – with integrity and honor. membership. educational atmosphere of the process What a privilege that would be! The second was a phone call I would be enhanced. received from a coach who had found out The second disconnect was this coach — John Johnson that another school in his community was telling me on the phone that his faith was MHSAA Communications Director being penalized for a Handbook infraction. restored in the system. Well, the system

15 PLANNER Winter Sport Dates Visit mhsaa.com for Pairings and Ticket Information First First Days Opt-Out Ratings MHSAA TOURNAMENT DATES Practice Contest or Due Due SPORT Date Date Contests Date Date Districts Regionals Quarters Semis Finals

Boys Basketball Nov 13 Dec 4 20C Feb 7 Mar 23 Mar 5-10 Mar 13-17 Mar 20 Mar 22-23 Mar 24

Boys & Girls Bowling Nov 9-UP Nov 25-UP 24D Feb 9 Feb 23-24 Mar 2-3 Nov 16-LP Dec 2-LP 24D Feb 9 Feb 23-24 Mar 2-3

Competitive Cheer Nov 6 Nov 20 12D Feb 16 Mar 3 Mar 9-10

Gymnastics Oct 30 Nov 18 15D Feb 23 Mar 3 Mar 9-10

Ice Hockey Oct 30 Nov 13 24C Feb 7 Mar 23 Feb 26-Mar 3 Mar 6-7 Mar 8-9 Mar 10

Boys & Girls Skiing Nov 13 Dec 9 15C Feb 9 Feb 15 or 16 Feb 26

LP Boys Swimming Nov 20 Dec 2 17D Mar 5 Dive: Mar 6 Mar 9-10

Boys & Girls UP Swimming Nov 6 Nov 18 17D Feb 12 Feb 17

Volleyball Nov 16 Dec 9 18D Feb 7 Mar 23 Feb 27-Mar 3 Mar 9-10 Mar 13 Mar 15-16 Mar 17

LP Ind. Wrestling Nov 13 Nov 29 16D Feb 7 Mar 23 Feb 17 Feb 24 Mar 8-10

UP Ind. Wrestling Nov 13 Nov 29 16D Feb 7 Mar 23 Feb 16-17

Team Wrestling Nov 13 Nov 29 16D Feb 7 Mar 23 Feb 14-15 Feb 21 Mar 2-3

MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, INC. NON-PROFIT ORG. 1661 Ramblewood Drive U.S. POSTAGE East Lansing, Michigan 48823-7392 PAID Permit No. 887 Lansing, Michigan