PleasePPleleeaasse callccall 1.888.CHEERUCA1.888..CCHEEEERRUCUCCA (888.243.3782)(888.243.3782) oror checkcchheecckk outoouut uca.varsity.comucca.a.v.vvaarsrssititytyy..ccoom NFHS REPORT NFHS Playing Rules Minimize Risk of Injury BY ROBERT B. GARDNER, NFHS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND NINA VAN ERK, NFHS PRESIDENT As a leader in high school administration in this country, we the grassroots level through a nationwide questionnaire process, as want to make you aware of the significant role that the NFHS plays well as the professional guidance of the NFHS Sports Medicine Ad- in the writing of playing rules for the more than 7.6 million stu- visory Committee. Questionnaires are distributed annually in all dent-athletes involved in high school sports. sports to high school coaches and officials identified by NFHS-mem- For the majority of its 92 years of existence, the NFHS has di- ber associations, and the rules committees evaluate this information rected the rules-writing process at the interscholastic level with a as potential rules changes are considered each year. three-pronged focus: 1) minimize risk of injury, 2) maintain sound A focus on sportsmanship is another distinctive feature of NFHS traditions of the game and 3) encourage sportsmanship. While all rules written for the high school level of play. As our rules com- three factors are important, risk minimization – without a doubt – mittees consider rules changes and possible penalties for violations is at the top of the list. of rules, they do so with the understanding that playing the games As the NFHS prepares another round of rules publications for the right way and treating others with respect are far more impor- the upcoming 2011-12 school year, rest assured that the 15 sports tant than the final outcome of the contests. rules committees have made risk minimization a high priority as NFHS rules are written with the understanding that appropriate they consider possible rules revisions. Last year, the NFHS led the behavior begins with the coach, who is responsible for ensuring way nationally in the area of concussion management. that his or her team exhibits good sporting behavior. Many penal- All NFHS sports rules require any player who exhibits signs, ties for unsportsmanlike conduct by a team are first directed against symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss the coach. In the area of sportsmanship, high school sports must of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance prob- remain committed to the values of participation by all in clean, lems) to be immediately removed from the contest and not return healthy competition. to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. In addition, NFHS rules committees attempt to maintain the In baseball, the NFHS has adopted new bat standards to reduce sound traditions of the game and keep a balance between offense the potential of injury from the speed of the ball coming off alu- and defense. Surveys are distributed to member associations on a minum bats. In wrestling, a comprehensive weight-management regular basis to determine scoring trends and other factors that plan has been implemented recently to curtail the harmful effects would assist the committees as they consider implementing rules of the sport’s longstanding tradition of cutting large amounts of revisions. weight in a short time span. The NFHS writes playing rules in 17 sports for boys and girls About 35 years ago, the NFHS was at the forefront of change competition at the high school level. While member associations as well when it outlawed spearing in high school football. The 1976 are not required to use NFHS rules, we are pleased to report that rule changed the landscape of high school football from an injury the majority of the associations use and enforce our playing rules. standpoint – from a high of 36 direct fatalities in 1968 to an aver- As we mentioned earlier, there is opportunity for grassroots in- age of about two per year today. volvement in the rules-writing process. If you have a concern or Because of the sheer numbers and the varying scope of pro- question, contact the NFHS-member association in your respective grams throughout the country, NFHS rules committees also weigh state. At the national level, we will continue to make the games as financial implications to schools when considering equipment or risk-free as possible. uniform rules changes. For this reason, along with the aforemen- NFHS playing rules are available in baseball, basketball, field tioned risk minimization issues, NFHS rules may vary in some sports hockey, football, boys gymnastics, girls gymnastics, ice hockey, from their counterparts at the collegiate and/or professional levels. boys lacrosse, soccer, softball, spirit, swimming and diving (and Rules committees are composed of NFHS-member state associ- water polo), track and field (and cross country), volleyball and ations staff experts in particular sports, as well as high school wrestling. NFHS | www.nfhs.org/hstoday coaches and officials. These committees receive input both from 1 HighSchool™ THE VOICE OF EDUCATION-BASED ATHLETIC AND FINE ARTS ACTIVITIES TODAY Contents 10 Welcome We hope you enjoy this publication and welcome your feedback. You may contact Bruce Howard or John Gillis, editors of High School Today, at [email protected] or [email protected]. VOLUME 4, NUMBER 6 COVER STORY EDITORIAL STAFF Publisher.......................Robert B. Gardner Designing Facilities: Get Involved to Avoid Building Bloop- Editors ..........................Bruce L. Howard ers: Athletic directors, coaches and other school leaders should .....................................John C. Gillis Production.....................Randall D. Orr work with architects from the outset to avoid costly mistakes. – Advertising....................Judy Shoemaker Graphic Designer...........Kim A. Vogel Todd L. Seidler Online Editor .................Chris Boone PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Superintendent..............Darrell Floyd, TX Principal........................Ralph Holloway, NC School Boards ...............Jim Vanderlin, IN High School Today, an official publica- SUBSCRIPTION PRICE tions Committee, but the publisher cannot be re- 11 One-year subscription is $24.95. Canada add sponsible for loss or damage. State Associations..........Treva Dayton, TX tion of the National Federation of State $3.75 per year surface post age. All other foreign Media Director ..............Robert Zayas, NM Reproduction of material published in High High School Assoc ia tions, is published subscribers, please contact the NFHS office for School Today is prohibited with out written per- Fine Arts........................Steffen Parker, VT eight times a year by the NFHS. shipping rates. Back issues are $3.00 plus actual mission of the NFHS executive director. Views of Athletic Director ............David Hoch, MD postage. Athletic Trainer ..............Brian Robinson, IL the authors do not always reflect the opinion or EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING OFFICES Manuscripts, illustrations and photo graphs may policies of the NFHS. Coach ...........................Don Showalter, IA National Federation of be submitted by mail or e-mail to Bruce Howard, Legal Counsel................Lee Green, KS State High School Associations editor, PO Box 690, Indianapolis, IN 46206, Copyright 2011 by the National Fed eration of Guidance Counselor ......Barb Skinner, IN PO Box 690, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 <[email protected]>. They will be carefully State High School Associa tions. All rights re- Contest Official..............Tim Christensen, OR Telephone 317-972-6900; fax 317.822.5700 considered by the High School Today Publica- served. High School Today | March 4 FEATURES HST ONLINE 18 ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION Challenges and Obstacles of Weather Cancellations: After the decision is made to cancel a game, the athletic director has many tasks to complete. –Dr. David Hoch, CMAA 22 ACTIVITY PROGRAMS You can access previous issues online Benefits of a Unified Booster Club: at www.nfhs.org/hstoday. A unified booster club benefits every- one, including parents and sponsors. –Steffen Parker and Bud Krawcyzk DEPARTMENTS 1 NFHS Report 6 Quick Hits 26 Interesting Facts and Information PUBLIC RELATIONS Enhancing the Relationship with Legal Issues Local Media: Schools should regularly 14 Bullying and Harassment: The Legal report results of games to the media – Obligations of Schools win or lose. –Tim Stevens 20 Above and Beyond Being a Team On and Off the Field 24 Ideas That Work Iowa Takes ‘Pride’ in Making 34 FIELD MAINTENANCE Scrimmages Worthwhile Innovative Ways to Reduce Costs of Maintaining Athletic Fields: 25 Fine Arts Music Educator Awards While finding ways to cut costs is possible, safety must remain top Sports Medicine priority. –George G. Bernardon 28 Do I Need an Athletic Trainer? 31 Did You Know? Towson Students Expand Education as Sports Reporters 14 20 28 36 In the News 40 Voices of the Nation NFHS | www.nfhs.org/hstoday 5 QUICK HITS It All Started Here Mike McCarthy By Lee Green More than three decades before he would hoist the Lombardi Football became Mike McCarthy’s path to higher education, Trophy at the conclusion of Super Bowl XLV, the love of sports and earning him a scholarship to attend Baker University (Kansas), an the blue-collar work ethic of Green Bay Packers head coach Mike elite, private liberal arts college and NAIA (National Association of McCarthy were forged near Pittsburgh’s J&L Steel Works within Intercollegiate Athletics) football powerhouse coached by leg- the confines of the Greenfield neighborhood of the City of Bridges. endary Hall of Famer Charlie Richard, who inspired McCarthy to Located on a hill rising from the north side of a bend in the Monon- pursue a career in coaching. After leading Baker as a team captain gahela River, the roughly one-square mile district is bisected by its during his senior year to a national runner-up finish and graduat- namesake Greenfield Avenue, along which are located the baseball ing with a degree in business, he took an unpaid, volunteer posi- diamonds, basketball courts and football fields on which McCarthy tion on the staff of University of Pittsburgh head coach Paul spent much of his youth.