The Illinois High School Association started a statewide program to encourage "exemplary behavior that should be exhibited by all players and spectators."

The focus is to give direction to people involved in youth sports as to what kind of behavior helps "set and maintain high standards of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity in our schools and society."

In September, the IHSA conducted a survey of approximately 500 student representatives from around the state. Some of the results are very interesting:

• 99 percent agreed "leaders in sport exert great influence."
• 95 percent said "each of us has a duty to honor our opponent and treat each person with respect."
• 94 percent believe "sportsmanship is a chance for me to practice what I believe."
• 92 percent thought "fans should cheer for their team using positive support."
• 85 percent felt "competitors have an obligation to treat people as decently as they would like to be treated."
• 77 percent responded "sports and fine arts teach me values which make me a good citizen and help build character."
• Most of the students surveyed agreed athletic programs help them get ready to face the real world.

A majority of the 500 disagreed that "the opposing team is my enemy," and only one in three agreed their community wanted them to win, no matter how they did it.

In contrast to the ugly fan, only 7 percent of these kids felt putting down the opponent is "what competition is all about."

And, only four out of 100 students believe "winning is more important than sportsmanship."

Looks to me like the kids have a whole lot more on the ball than the trash-talking fan with a $3 ticket and big mouth.

Oh, as a sidelight, Sports Illustrated last week ran their regular feature on "Kids’ Sports" and noted "it’s the parents, not the kids, who are the main reason so many problems and concerns are cropping up.

"Moms and dads too often are losing perspective not only of what’s important at these games, but also of what’s appropriate sideline behavior."

From my view, parents are not necessarily the only problem. In the many years I’ve been coaching, I have been in contact with hundreds of parents. Most of them have been terrific supporters of their kids.

Those few, however, who bring their own personal grievances to the game and insist they have a right to inflict them on everyone else, should be given their $3 back and told, not so politely, to go home.

Kids don’t need the embarrassment of watching a parent being hauled out of the stands. The humiliation goes deeper than simply losing a game, and the hurt lasts a lot longer.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Board of Directors, acting on a recommendation from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, has stated that pre-participation physical evaluations for high school student-athletes are a necessary and desirable precondition to interscholastic athletic practice and competition.

Since state laws and local conditions vary, however, the NFHS Board of Directors determined that the creation of a standardized national pre-participation physical evaluation procedure would not be practical.

Although a standardized national pre-participation procedure was not recommended at this time, the NFHS sports Medicine Advisory Committee suggested that there are some common goals being pursued by organizations that require pre-participation physical evaluations. Because the athletic, medical and legal purposes served by such evaluations continue to evolve, the committee believes that such forms should be reviewed and revised on a regular basis.

Following is a portion of the statement formulated by the sports Medicine Advisory Committee and adopted by the NFHS Board of Directors:

"In the opinion of the NFHS, promulgating organizations should review their student-athlete evaluation procedures not less often than every three years. Such reviews are often conducted in consultation with specially constituted sports medicine advisory committees or with physicians practicing in the fields of pediatrics, orthopedics or cardiology.

"The NFHS believes that each such review should include an assessment of the applicability of any recent statutory and regulatory actions. In addition, the reviewers may consider the proper frequency for such evaluations, whether use of a specific pre-participation physical evaluation form should be required, the appropriateness of any sport-specific assessment of a student-athlete’s musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and body maturation status, and who should be authorized to perform such evaluations."

Jerry Diehl, assistant director of the NFHS and staff liaison to the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, noted that the committee formulated its statement after thorough consultation with physicians across the country.

"Physicians have strongly advised the NFHS that a comprehensive inquiry into each student-athlete’s medical history is a key indicator of potential health problems," Diehl said. "The NFHS believes that this type of inquiry should be part of every pre-participation physical examination.

I am pleased to tell you about an upcoming event that celebrates the accomplishments of student-athletes. National STUDENT-Athlete Day, nationally recognized on April 6, is the day when we can congratulate student-athletes from across our state for their achievements on the playing field, in the classroom and for their commitment to the school or community.

National STUDENT-Athlete Day was created by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS), Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society and is co-sponsored with The national Federation of State High School Associations and The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

During the first week of February, you will receive a packet of information regarding National STUDENT-Athlete Day and what you can do to recognize student-athletes at your school. I encourage you to participate in the event by returning the Official Student Selection Form so your student-athletes may receive personalized award certificates honoring their accomplishments and planning an event celebrating the day on your campus. Student-athletes who have a 3.0 GPA or better, and who have participated in community service are eligible for these National STUDENT-Athlete Day Award Certificates.

There is no cost to your school for these certificates - just an opportunity to acknowledge the great work your student-athletes have done.

By nominating your student-athletes, they will become eligible to receive one of six $1,000 regional scholarships offered by the creators of national STUDENT-Athlete Day. In addition, your student-athletes may be eligible to be honored by Who’s Who Among American High School Students and compete for another $200,000 in college scholarships. Please understand, however, neither you nor your students are required to participate in the Who’s Who program.

If you have any questions regarding National STUDENT-Athlete Day, please contact Suzi Katz, Southern Regional Director of the National Consortium for Academics and Sports at (407) 823-5243.

During this past November and December, three previously healthy collegiate wrestlers in different states died while each was trying to "make weight" to qualify for competition. In the hours preceding the final weigh-in, all three wrestlers engaged in a similar rapid weight-loss regimen that promoted dehydration through perspiration and resulted in hyperthemia. The wrestlers restricted food and fluid intake and attempted to maximize sweat losses by wearing vapor-impermeable suits under cotton warm-up suits and exercising vigorously in hot environments. As a result, the NCAA revised the guidelines governing weight-loss and weigh-in procedures and added penalties for noncompliance. Let’s hope they work.

• About 40% of teenage boys are trying to change their bodies by changing their eating behaviors.
  
• 7% of high school males take steroid pills to enhance their appearance.

• Teenage girls should not eat less than 1,200 calories a day.
  
• Teenage boys should not eat less than 1,500 calories a day.
  
• During growth spurts, adolescents may need 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day to stay healthy.

The Executive Director’s Report was approved.

The Treasurer’s Report was approved.

Ms. Hale reported that Mt. Pleasant High School has not yet paid its 1998-99 Dues and Fees. On a motion made and seconded, the Committee unanimously voted to request that the administration of Mt. Pleasant High School appear before the Committee on Athletics at its February meeting for a Show Cause Hearing.

Mr. Lynch referred to several letters and publications which were placed in member’s folders or filed in the league office.

In other business, Mr. Lynch referred to an article in The Providence Journal which stated that schools in Massachusetts are reporting inaccurate scores to the media so as not to embarrass opponents when the score is lopsided. Mr. Lynch has also received information that this practice is also happening in Rhode Island.

The Committee authorized Mr. Lynch to write language which will address this issue and report back to the February meeting of the Committee on Athletics.

Mr. Lynch reported that in a meeting with representatives of the R. I. Baseball Officials’ Association, the Association has agreed to an increase of $6.00 over a four-year period. In addition, the Association has agreed to waive the $5.00 differential fee for night/holiday games which was in the previous contract(s). The increase would be as follows: 1999 - $53.00; 2000 - $55.00; 2001 - $56.00; 2002 - $58.00.

On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics unanimously approved the contract for the R. I. Baseball Officials’ Association.

Maryann Brown reported on an earlier proposal from Conference Medal in which they are offering replica plaques to championship teams. These plaques will be one-half the size of the championship and runner-up plaque(s) awarded to each championship and runner-up team. There will be an order form on the back of each plaque that is awarded by the Rhode Island Interscholastic League. In addition, a list of 1998-99 Fall Champions will be submitted to Conference Medal. They will send a letter to those schools notifying them of this program and offering the duplicate plaques.

The cost of the plaque will be $12.95 with the R. I. Interscholastic League realizing a $3.00 return from each plaque ordered. An itemized accounting of sales will be submitted to the RIIL at the end of the fiscal year, along with a check for the total amount (royalties) due to the RIIL.

On a motion made and seconded, the Committee on Athletics unanimously approved the proposal.

Mr. Sweeney distributed copies of the 1999-2000 Cross Country Schedule. He further reported on the following:

Class Meets will be held on Saturday, October 30, 1999, 10:00 am @ Bryant College

State Meets will be held on Sunday, November 7, 1999, 1:00 pm @ Bryant College

On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics unanimously approved the 1999-2000 Cross Country Schedule.

Mr. Sweeney reported that, in Boys’ Indoor Track, Westerly High School was required to forfeit a meet vs The Prout School as a result of an ineligible athlete participating in the meet. Further, the student-athlete sat out a meet as required in the Rules and Regulations of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League.

In other business, Ms. Headley reported that the Tolman High School girls’ indoor track team will be required to forfeit a meet as a result of the girls’ indoor track eligibility list not being submitted to the RIIL office.

Mr. Gray distributed copies of the 1998-99 Golf Schedule. He reported that there are presently thirty-nine (39) teams in the golf league. He further reported that Ponaganset High School has requested entry into the golf league, which was approved. In addition, Mr. Gray stated that the State Championships will be held at the Cranston Country Club on June 1^st and June 2^nd, 1999.

The Golf Coaches’ Interpretation Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 24^th, 6:00 pm, at Barrington High School.

In other business, Mr. Gray reported that he has sent a notice to principals of all [golf] participating schools requesting they serve on the Golf Standing Committee.

On a motion made and seconded, the 1998-1999 Golf Schedule was unanimously approved.

Mr. Biancuzzo distributed copies of the 1998-99 Baseball Schedule. He stated that the Baseball Coaches’ Interpretation Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 10^th, 7:00 pm, at the RIIL Office.

Mr. Carbone reported that the 1998-99 Slowpitch Schedule is all set. The schedule was previously approved at the January 25^th meeting of the Principals’ Committee on Athletics. He further reported that Our Lady of Fatima High School has withdrawn from R. I. Interscholastic League Slowpitch Softball.

In other business, Mr. Carbone reported that the Slowpitch Softball coaches have expressed concern about the foul (on 3^rd strike) rule. They feel as though it is detrimental to the sport.

On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics unanimously voted to amend the rule as follows:

Waived Rule 7, Section 4, Article F (of the National Federation of State High School Associations) – "A batter shall be called out when a third strike (in flight) is not caught or a foul ball on the third strike is not caught." Therefore, the rule is not in effect for Slowpitch Softball only.

Ms. Botelho distributed copies of the 1998-99 Girls’ Volleyball schedule. Ms. Botelho was seeking permission for the games in Division A to begin on March 30^th. In accordance with Article 7, Section 3,d,1, of the Rules and Regulations of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, the first League games, meets, or matches (for Spring sports) shall not be scheduled prior to April 1^st.

On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics voted 6-4 to deny the request. Ms. Botelho will revise the schedule and present it to the Principals’ Committee on Athletics for its approval at its February 22^nd meeting

Ms. Botelho also reported that the Girls’ Volleyball Coaches’ Interpretation Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9^th, 7:00 pm, at the RIIL office.

Discussion then ensued regarding Article 9, Section 4,B,1, of the Rules and Regulations of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, which states: "Rescheduling of a game(s) which result in no game(s) being played during the annual spring recess will result in a forfeiture of the schedule game(s)." A notice will be placed in the packets for the coaches’ interpretation meeting outlining that at least one (1) League game must be played during spring vacation.

In other business, Ms. Botelho reported that some home sites where playoffs will take place do not have regulation courts. If this is the case, the two participating teams may play at the visitor’s gymnasium or a neutral site as agreed upon

Mr. Lynch presented the financial reports for the 1998-99 Playoffs and 1998-99 Superbowls. On a motion made and seconded, both financial reports were approved.

Mr. Lynch also reported that a request was received from Burrillville High School requesting permission for a [new] press box to be located on the visitors’ side of the field, which is in violation of the NFHS rule that states the press box is to be located on the home side of the field.

On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics approved the request.

Several [football] issues were discussed as follows:

• Survey - Mr. Mezzanotte reported that a survey will be sent to all [football] participating schools asking for feedback on the Challenge Cup and playoff format.

• Grade 9 Eligibility – approved the following for all Grade 9 sports beginning with the 1999-2000 school year: