Blog: From the Director

There may be no better example of the state of play than the growth of the “tournacation,” a term merging “tournament” and “vacation.”

Without rules, and opponents playing by the same rules, there is no validity in moving the ball to the goal.

The real juice for this inspiring event is the energy of 550 students and the investment of our schools’ coaches and administrators to facilitate the attendance of these students.

There are two visual aids to bring to the discussion of the transfer rule serving school sports in Michigan.

It is a shame that students have somehow gotten the message that it’s a waste of their time to be a part of a team where they aren’t a starter or even the star.

The MHSAA does not have subpoena power, can’t perform wiretaps, and cannot devote the personnel and other resources that an investigations department would require.

Seeding is a topic on the agenda of several Michigan High School Athletic Association sport committees.

The rule, as written, with 15 pretty cut-and-dried exceptions, is consistently applied.

More pressure means less enjoyment. As kids enjoy sports less, their motivation goes down.

“You never know,” he said, “when you are five minutes from your destiny.”

What I continue to encourage for most students is that they sample the broad buffet of opportunities that a full-service school offers.

What I hear when I listen to students ... is that they want to play multiple sports and that they need us to hear that and to help them.

“Encourage your child to be involved in more than one sport. Cross-training helps develop their bodies."

Here is where education prevails over entertainment in interscholastic athletics.  Here is where philosophy of athletics is more in tune with the mission of the school.

We have always maintained that there is at least as much potential for school-based sports to benefit both kids and their schools at the junior high/middle school level as at the high school.

If the program has no room for a student today, why would we ever expect that student or his/her parents will support our programs tomorrow?

"I’d like them to urge the NCAA to start running its own summer games instead of leaving it to the shoe companies and NBA stars ..."

When 90 percent of one of our key constituent groups has the same opinion, it’s worth talking about – even if the topic is a sacred cow.

After six months of effort, there is only a 12-month solution for issues affecting the girls and boys basketball seasons and Michigan High School Athletic Association basketball tournaments.

National Federation opposition to national events in high school athletics is not “one and done.”