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The high school sports season begins in earnest this week and -- believe it or not -- the Michigan High School Athletic Association is still in business.
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It has not declared bankruptcy, nor has it turned over the keys to its palatial headquarters in East Lansing to Kristen Galles, the Arlington, Va., attorney to whom is owed the bulk of $4,560,261.93 (with interest it's $7.4 million) -- the cost of the MHSAA losing its nine-year legal battle with Communities for Equity.
Since the MHSAA is still in litigation over the fees, executive director Jack Roberts wouldn't say much about the case. But in a wide-ranging interview with the Free Press, Roberts said the MHSAA is going to allow coaches to recruit eighth graders, and the boys basketball championships may be leaving East Lansing for the Palace.
Got your attention yet?
A little more influence
The MHSAA has not changed its position on the undue influence rule. This year, however, the MHSAA is going to permit coaches to make single-sport presentations to their middle school or junior high athletes in that sport.
"One thing we are concerned about as an association is ways that school sports can attract and hold students," said Roberts. "To me, it's a sense that we're in competition for kids. We would like to return some tools to our school people to attract and hold students."
Previously, high school coaches could only speak to eighth graders as part of a general presentation from the entire high school to an entire class of eighth graders in the district.
Energy -- and money -- conservation
An energy-saving plan will drastically alter the boys and girls basketball and volleyball state tournaments.
Beginning this year, teams on the top line of the bracket will have the option of hosting games instead of playing the game at the site of the district host.
"I predict this is going to become the rule, not the exception, in not too many years because of the cost of gasoline and all of the benefits of doing this," Roberts said.
Nice to be wanted
As for venues for state championships, baseball and softball are being courted by bids from Mt. Pleasant, Midland and the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area.
The baseball and softball finals are currently hosted simultaneously in Battle Creek's Bailey Park complex.
"The Bailey Park facilities were decomposing," Roberts said. "So the council asked us to review alternatives for baseball and softball. Because some of those alternatives can't host both, to also look at different formats -- separating boys and girls. Running finals and semifinals differently."
Hosting agreements in boys and girls basketball expire in March 2009, and there is interest from Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Calvin College and Central Michigan.
MHSAA officials are expecting to receive a bid from Michigan to host the boys and girls finals. But the host for the boys tournament may come down to MSU's Breslin Center and the Palace.
"All of this is much more interest than usual, which is pleasant," Roberts said.
"Michigan State is the best basketball facility and the best location in the state and one of the most expensive facilities we can be in," Roberts said. "There's the big plusses, and big minuses."
Gearing up for the long run
A decision on these sites could come much sooner than later.
"We'll make a decision on those not later than Dec. 5," Roberts said. "It's possible we'll make the decision sooner if it's helpful to make the decision in order to make other financial decisions, and I'll leave that there."
Well, I won't. That was a reference to the financial ramifications of the lost lawsuit, which had some wondering if the MHSAA would declare bankruptcy or possibly fold.
"We're going to be in business," Roberts said. "I'm not a Pollyannaish-kind-of-guy, but I do believe that if you can get through the things that are hard, you come out better. I believe that we're going to come out better in the long run."
Contact MICK McCABE at 313-223-4744 or mmccabe@freepress.com.
The high school sports season begins in earnest this week and -- believe it or not -- the Michigan High School Athletic Association is still in business.
Advertisement
It has not declared bankruptcy, nor has it turned over the keys to its palatial headquarters in East Lansing to Kristen Galles, the Arlington, Va., attorney to whom is owed the bulk of $4,560,261.93 (with interest it's $7.4 million) -- the cost of the MHSAA losing its nine-year legal battle with Communities for Equity.
Since the MHSAA is still in litigation over the fees, executive director Jack Roberts wouldn't say much about the case. But in a wide-ranging interview with the Free Press, Roberts said the MHSAA is going to allow coaches to recruit eighth graders, and the boys basketball championships may be leaving East Lansing for the Palace.
Got your attention yet?
A little more influence
The MHSAA has not changed its position on the undue influence rule. This year, however, the MHSAA is going to permit coaches to make single-sport presentations to their middle school or junior high athletes in that sport.
"One thing we are concerned about as an association is ways that school sports can attract and hold students," said Roberts. "To me, it's a sense that we're in competition for kids. We would like to return some tools to our school people to attract and hold students."
Previously, high school coaches could only speak to eighth graders as part of a general presentation from the entire high school to an entire class of eighth graders in the district.
Energy -- and money -- conservation
An energy-saving plan will drastically alter the boys and girls basketball and volleyball state tournaments.
Beginning this year, teams on the top line of the bracket will have the option of hosting games instead of playing the game at the site of the district host.
"I predict this is going to become the rule, not the exception, in not too many years because of the cost of gasoline and all of the benefits of doing this," Roberts said.
Nice to be wanted
As for venues for state championships, baseball and softball are being courted by bids from Mt. Pleasant, Midland and the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area.
The baseball and softball finals are currently hosted simultaneously in Battle Creek's Bailey Park complex.
"The Bailey Park facilities were decomposing," Roberts said. "So the council asked us to review alternatives for baseball and softball. Because some of those alternatives can't host both, to also look at different formats -- separating boys and girls. Running finals and semifinals differently."
Hosting agreements in boys and girls basketball expire in March 2009, and there is interest from Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Calvin College and Central Michigan.
MHSAA officials are expecting to receive a bid from Michigan to host the boys and girls finals. But the host for the boys tournament may come down to MSU's Breslin Center and the Palace.
"All of this is much more interest than usual, which is pleasant," Roberts said.
"Michigan State is the best basketball facility and the best location in the state and one of the most expensive facilities we can be in," Roberts said. "There's the big plusses, and big minuses."
Gearing up for the long run
A decision on these sites could come much sooner than later.
"We'll make a decision on those not later than Dec. 5," Roberts said. "It's possible we'll make the decision sooner if it's helpful to make the decision in order to make other financial decisions, and I'll leave that there."
Well, I won't. That was a reference to the financial ramifications of the lost lawsuit, which had some wondering if the MHSAA would declare bankruptcy or possibly fold.
"We're going to be in business," Roberts said. "I'm not a Pollyannaish-kind-of-guy, but I do believe that if you can get through the things that are hard, you come out better. I believe that we're going to come out better in the long run."
Contact MICK McCABE at 313-223-4744 or mmccabe@freepress.com.
