Cover Story: MHSAA’s Winter Sports Wonderland To discover the hidden winter wonder of the MHSAA cold-weather tournament sea- son, a look beyond the basketball court reveals an expanse of opportunity for stu- dent-athletes who excel in an array of sports somewhat unique to Michigan. 4 Attendance and participation figures illustrate the popularity of the season. The Vault – 18 MHSAA Staff One Crazy Weekend Tony Bihn, Director of Information Systems Many a March weekend create Jordan Cobb, Assistant Director, Information Systems a hectic schedule for MHSAA Andy Frushour, Director of Brand Management Staff, but none busier than Nate Hampton, Assistant Director March 6-8, 2008. Dan Hutcheson, Assistant Director Cody Inglis, Assistant Director John R. Johnson, Communications Director Rob Kaminski, Website & Publications Coordinator MHSAA News – 32 Geoff Kimmerly, Media & Content Coordinator Survey Says . Camala Kinder, Administrative Assistant The 2016 Update Meeting Cole Malatinsky, Administrative Assistant Opinion Poll focused on pref- Peggy Montpas , Accounting Manager erences for junior high/middle Andrea Osters , Assistant Director schools, and requirements for Thomas M. Rashid, Associate Director John E. Roberts, Executive Director coaches and officials. Laura Roberts, Receptionist/Officials Registrar Adam Ryder, Assistant Director, Information Systems Regulations Review – 36 Jeremy Sampson , Ticketing, Promotions & Marketing The Season for Co-Ops Coordinator For many MHSAA member Mark Uyl, Assistant Director Jamie VanDerMoere, Administrative Assistant schools, winter sports offer Faye Verellen, Administrative Assistant prime opportunities for Co-Op Tricia Wieferich, Administrative Assistant programs. Know the Regula- Kathy Vruggink Westdorp, Assistant Director tion prior to forming a team. Paige Winne, Administrative Assistant Karen Yonkers, Executive Assistant Departments benchmarks is published three times per year by Wide Angle . .2 the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Shots on Goal . .3 Inc., 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing, MI From the Director . .16 48823 (Phone 517-332-5046). Edited by Rob Student Spotlight . .20 Kaminski. benchmarks welcomes contributions of Health & Safety . .22 Getting I.T. .24 articles, information or photos which focus on Outside Shots . .26 coaching and officiating in Michigan. Send them to Officially Speaking . .28 [email protected]. Reviewing the Regulations . .36 MHSAA Business . .38 © 2017 Michigan High School Athletic Association Extra Points . .44 Overtime . .44 benchmarks 1 A Kaleidoscope chool sports is much more a kaleidoscope than a microscope. Our programs offer a diverse array of activities for students of all Ssizes, shapes, colors and customs. When the focus is on one sport, one team or one athlete, the work is easy; but the mission of educational athletics is missed. When the focus is on multiple levels of multiple sports, the work is much harder. It means complicated scheduling of facilities for practices and events. It means sharing precious resources fairly. It involves bickering, bargaining, brainstorming and budgeting. It requires an open mind. For example, we raised some eyebrows in Michigan with sponsorship of boys and girls bowling tournaments; now a few state associa- tions have bass fishing tournaments. We hang onto a postseason tournament for alpine skiing but wonder if snowboarding should be added or should replace alpine skiing. We conduct tra- ditional state tournaments for golf and tennis but wonder if a Ryder Cup format for golf or a team tennis tournament – in both cases coed – would be cooler and rejuvenate these sports in schools. It’s impossible to do everything for everybody; but as this issue of benchmarks demon- strates, school sports in Michigan is closer to achieving its full potential today than at any time since its founding. John E. “Jack” Roberts MHSAA Executive Director The MHSAA’s Winter Sports Seasons illustrate the kaleidoscope of school sports. 2 benchmarks our readers’ “writes” Eight is Enough . And Then Some Following is the “From the Di- day and Saturday before Thanks- praised; but we knew even then rector” blog of Nov 22 pondering giving, when the four-week for- that the day would come when the popularity of 8-Player Foot- mat concludes; and there is not the new benefits for some would ball and what the future holds. room for a fifth game on either create new hardships for others. Friday or Saturday after Thanks- The discussions needed now will Two things happened during giving when the eight champi- require coaches and administra- the 2016 football season that onship games of the 11-player tors to examine the effects of were not unexpected but which tournament are conducted. change on others as well as on now require discussion leading to These discussions regarding themselves, and to be fair with action: the 8-player tournament field their responses and recommen- 1. The 2016 football season and format will invite other dis- dations. was the first during which cussions. For example, Class C the number of Michigan schools that sponsor 8-player COMMENTS: High School Athletic As- teams which are ineligible for the “I agree. As an average size sociation Class D high 8-player tournament that is lim- Class D high school I would fa- schools sponsoring 8- ited to Class D schools only, will vored the two 16-team divisions. player teams exceeded ask for a tournament opportu- This would make an even play- the number of Class D nity; but their inclusion in the 8- ing field for the small Class D schools sponsoring 11- player tournament will be high schools and the larger ones. player teams: 48 playing 8-player football; 40 play- resisted by Class D schools. I would prefer schools that are ing the 11-player game. There are people who will ad- Class C would not be allowed to 2. The 2016 8-Player Foot- vocate that the 11-player tourna- play in the postseason. I am ball Playoffs was the first ment should be reduced from afraid if we allow the Class C in to exclude a six-win team eight divisions to seven; and that where does it stop. Bigger . in fact, two of them . Division 8 be for the 8-player schools would want to get in . from the 16-team field tournament, with 32 teams and a too.” and four-week format. five-week format concluding at — Terry Evanish, AD The original plan for the 8- Ford Field on the Friday after International Academy of Flint player tournament called for ex- Thanksgiving. Of course, this re- pansion to a 32-team field and a duces by 32 the total number of “I support the original plan for five-week format when the num- teams that will qualify for the the 8-player tournament: to be ber of MHSAA Class D member MHSAA Football Playoff experi- expanded to a 32-team field and schools sponsoring a full season ence. a five-week format. I am hopeful of the 8-player game exceeded We must keep in mind that such a playoff format will be en- 40 for several years. Having now every enhancement of the 8- acted for 2017. Some alternate reached the point of expansion, player experience invites more indoor facility should be sought many questions are being raised. conversions from the 11-player in place of Ford Field for the 8- For example: to 8-player game, and every Player Final. Since 8-player par- Are Class D schools served conversion makes life a little ticipation is more northernly, well by a 32-team field and a more difficult for remaining 11- where low enrollments are com- five-week format, like the player teams, especially for mon, possibly the Superior 11-player tournament? smaller schools. For example: Dome at NMU in Marquette Or, would two 16-team divi- • Remaining Class D 11- should be looked at for hosting sions and continuing the player schools have fewer the Final.” four-week format be best? like-sized opponents to – Loren Vannest, Superintendent The two 16-team divisions schedule during the regu- Hale Area Schools would have the benefits of lar season, and they must smaller enrollment differences travel further to play Shots on Goal offers readers a between the largest and smallest them. forum for feedback. Submit schools of each division, as well • Some remaining 11- your opinions, share your ex- as a one-week shorter season – player schools in Classes periences or offer suggestions D, C and B find them- both of which might be preferred to [email protected]. selves playing in playoff from the standpoint of partici- Be sure to visit MHSAA.com pant health and safety. divisions with larger for MHSAA Executive Director Under neither format is it schools than was the case Jack Roberts’ twice-weekly likely that the championship a few years ago. blogs. Comments are encour- game(s) would be held at Ford The reintroduction of 8- aged, and may also appear Field. The facility has a long- player football in Michigan high Shots on Goal standing commitment for the Fri- schools in 2011 was generally here in . benchmarks 3 Winter Gamesof the Temperatures may plunge, but the MHSAA tournament season heats up to offer a carnival of events for MHSAA member schools each winter. uick, which season showcases the greatest number of MHSAA Tourna- ments? As the layout of this issue decidedly gives away the answer, it is Qthe winter season, with 12 championship events taking place; 14 when considering Wrestling’s team and individual tournaments, and when splitting Upper Peninsula swimming and diving into each gender. While much focus is placed on scholastic hoops during these months – and with more that 37,000 participants and the highest percentage of schools sponsoring bas- ketball teams, that sport does command proper attention – the MHSAA offers unique participation opportunities in several other sports, bolstering its national figures which annually rank among the top.