| RI Interscholastic League Monthly Bulletin November 1999 FROM THE DESK OF… The Executive Director T his is to inform the membership of the RIIL that Pat Trainor, a secretary at the RIIL office, has recently undergone surgery and will be out on extended sick leave. She is at home and feeling better. If you would like to send her a card, I know she would be happy to hear from you. Her address is:Mrs. Patricia Trainor Noticing the Unnoticed There are unsung heroes, and then there are unsung heroes. Whether it be the start of the hectic tournament season, the first fall practice, last spring event, or loose ends during the summer, the high school athletic director steadfastly handles every increasing duties in seeming anonymity. In the grand tapestry of interscholastic activities, the dedicated men and women in athletic administration are the mechanics who make the engine run, the glue that binds, the first to arrive and the last to leave. When thinking of an athletic director, one can’t help recall the mantra of the mailman … "Neither snow, nor rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night shall keep them from their appointed task." Weather may be the least of their obstacles. No longer is athletic administration confined to a few peripheral tasks such as hiring officials and arranging bus transportation. The administrative depth of the job has grown immensely. Athletic eligibility, transfer students, academic matters, legal issues, nutrition, food supplements, budget management, equipment safety, booster club coordination, gender equity and Title IX compliance are just a few subjects that were probably not in the athletic director job description 10 or 15 years ago. Coupled with the teaching load that a large share of AD’s carry, and non-athletic activities that are part of the job in many schools, it’s clear the AD’s plate is full. It could be said that much of their work is invisible to most, but when there’s a problem relating to department coordination or event management, they’re likely the first person to be held accountable. Like being in the spotlight without the spotlight. Many times taken for granted and faced with unpopular duties and decisions, the AD marches on like a loyal soldier on the vanguard of battle. There’s no question how reliant a state association staff is on its member school athletic directors. Having a nickel for each time we talk about, fax, e-mail, write letters to and otherwise communicate with a member school AD and we’d have the wealth of Fort Knox! Their support of the state association and cooperation in tournament matters, decision making, developing regulations and just plain giving us good advice is vital. There’s no better feedback than to hear from our AD’s, and not better partner to have. It’s been said that the greatest compliment an official can be paid is when they go unnoticed. Perhaps the same can be said for athletic directors. Reprinted from "I’m going to graduate on time, no matter how long it
takes." Athletic Training Guidelines Principles to Keep in Proper Perspective
Diet, Hydration, Dehydration Need Monitoring
General
Upward Rise in Participation Numbers Continues for 10th Consecutive Year The number of students participating in high school athletics reached an all-time high during the 1998-99 school year, as participation increased for the 10th consecutive year. Based on figures from the 51 state high school athletic/activity associations that are members of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), participation in high school athletics during 1998-99 was 6,504,298, an increase of 151,523 from 1997-98. The 1998-99 figure exceeds the previous all-time high set by the "baby boom" mark of 6,450,482 in 1977-78. Data from the 1998-99 survey indicated another record participation for girls at 2,652,796, an increase of 82,463 from the previous year. Boys’ participation also increased, up 69,232 to 3,832,352, the highest mark since 1977-78. In addition to the 2,652,796 female participants and 3,832,352 male participants, the 6,504,298 total includes 1,220 participants in the coed team tennis program in Texas. The NFHS has compiled the survey since 1971 based on figures from its 51 member state associations. With the exception of a slight decrease from 1987-88 to 1988-89, participation has risen each year since the 1983-84 year. The 1984-85 total stopped a six-year downward spiral in which participation dropped five years. Girls’ soccer fielded 10,899 more participants, followed by outdoor track and field, which gained 9,208 more girls, and volleyball, which attracted 7,775 more athletes. Soccer ranks fifth in popularity for the girls, outdoor track ranks second and volleyball ranks third. With an increase of 12,290 participants, football registered the biggest gain among boys sports, followed by soccer (increase of 11,932), golf (8,280), and wrestling (6,797). Golf registered the largest increase in school sponsorship among boys sports with an additional 316 schools sponsoring programs, followed by soccer (increase of 182), cross country (162), and tennis (157). Basketball remains the most popular sport among girls with 456,873 participants, followed by outdoor track and field (405,163), volleyball (380,994), fast pitch softball 9340,480), soccer (257,586), tennis (156,505), cross country (155,529), swimming and diving (133,235), competitive spirit squads (74,462), and field hockey (57,980). Football remains the most popular sport for boys with 983,625 participants, followed by basketball (549,499), outdoor track and field (477,960), baseball (455,305), soccer (321,416), wrestling (235,973), cross country (181,915), golf (167,781), tennis (142,953), and swimming and diving (83,411). Ten Most Popular Boys Programs
Ten Most Popular Girls Programs
The complete 1998-99 High School Athletics Participation Survey is available on the NFHS Web site (www.nfhs.org). "The best way to improve the team is to improve
yourself." NFHS Board Requests New Bat Rule The Board of Directors of the National Federation of State High School Associations, at its October 24-25 meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, voted not to implement a bat rule for high school baseball that had been proposed earlier this year by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee. Simultaneously, the Board requested that the Committee propose a new bat rule. The earlier proposal would have placed new limitations on the size and weight of bats, and would have imposed a minimum moment-of-inertia standard. The various changes were intended to make aluminum bats perform more like wood bats. NFHS President Dick Durost stated, "We agree with the Committee’s intent, but new information has come to light which will help the Committee draft a better rule." Since the Committee met in July, the NFHS has received a variety of comments from scientists, coaches, manufacturers and the general public. Some of the comments have corrected and expanded upon the scientific data that the Committee had available when it prepared its initial proposal. Durost added, "Under NFHS policy, the Board does not rewrite rules proposals, only the sports committees can do that." The Board has asked the Baseball Rules Committee to review the new information at its earliest convenience, and to consider submitting a revised proposal to the Board in time for its next meeting in early January. The NFHS writes rules in 16 sports for more than 6.5 million high school student-athletes. When deliberating about changes to the rules, sports committees consider the issues of risk reduction, balance between offense and defense, and maintenance of the sound traditions of the various sports. "The aluminum bat performance issue has been a perplexing matter for some years," said Durost. "We commend the Committee for its diligent work, and we are confident that the NFHS is on course to a prudent and scientifically sound decision. We will do what is right for high school baseball."
Teaching – Involvement in a Lifetime of Learning School was always a favorite part of my day. As a child, I looked forward to the contact I would have with teachers and friends. Often I came early to play with other students on the playground. We played kick-ball on the playground, determining who would be on which team and who would be captains. It was always a matter of fairness and working together to make up a team. If I was real early, I helped arrange the bulletin boards or mix paint for art class or help set up the classroom. In junior high, I would come early to be a part of "work-up." The earlier we got to school the better the position we would get to play. With the help of the boys next door to where we lived, I learned to pitch an acceptable ball the boy’s way. In late junior high I joined the choir and was involved in the drama club. To be in a choir meant you had to blend your voice with others. The instructor said our voices needed to sound as one, so we worked to blend our voices rather than trying to be louder and standing out. Being the stage set designer gave me a real sense of what it means to be a leader, yet to work as a team. It also gave me an understanding of commitment. Often times other students wouldn’t do their part, or would fail to come to work after school, so being committed meant doing what work had to be done to meet rehearsal deadlines. While attending high school, I was involved in the art club and drama club. In art club we designed posters and programs for musicals and plays. In drama club we were responsible for set design and props and costume production. I decided to run for class president my sophomore year. Though I had never been involved in student council, I had the courage to run, because from my teachers I had learned I could do anything I set my mind to. Although it was a disappointment to lose, I learned from that experience as well. It takes more than self-determination, it takes the help of others, a "team effort" to accomplish the bigger dreams. Had I worked to gather support of friends and other students I might have received more votes. Again, teachers were the best part of school. They encouraged me to develop all my talents, to accept responsibility and to take on responsibility. Teachers were my best supporters. They created an environment of acceptance for me and allowed me to succeed. They rewarded me for my successes by challenging me to do even better. My college school years I was active as a varsity cheerleader, was part of the yearbook staff and taught church school classes on the weekend. All I had learned from my teachers I transferred to my own experience with children. I knew I wanted to become a teacher - to help youngsters grow into good citizens, to reach their potential and to succeed in life. Although I was an art teacher for 10 years, I tried to teach students to do art not alone, but as a team. I tried to teach respect for others ideas. I tried to teach trusting others. I hope they learned some of the lessons I learned from my youth – commitment to others and an idea; responsibility for one’s own actions, and compromise. As a teacher I could see the spark of surprise as students learned. Mixing two colors together to produce a third, or watching photos develop in chemistry, or molding clay into something beautiful – creating and learning. I still take classes to learn. But, I also take classes to be around teachers. There is magic in their words. They know more than I do, so I listen. When they admit they don’t know the answer, they challenge me to find the answer by giving me resources to discover on my own. Some teachers made me work harder than I ever wanted to. Many sleepless nights were spent, trying to cram that last bit of information into my skull before the "big exam." I learned from that, too. I respected the tough teachers most, because they demanded the most from me. By listening to the toughest teachers I realized they were the best because they were committed to learning. Teachers are all around you. It may be a parent. It may be your closest friend. It may be a spouse or it may be a child who asks the right question. We never really leave school or activities if we are team players and responsible citizens. School is the process of teaching or learning. Sometimes we are the ones who must listen and learn, then having learned, we teach others. What better purpose for life. I thank all the teachers I have had over the years. Some of them are gone, but my memory of them still remains especially the lessons they taught . . . to look, to listen, to speak, to share, to debate, to compromise, to experiment, to discover, to create . . . and so much more. Dee A. Link is an employee of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and is editor/publication designer, has done some writing for the association. She has an art education degree from the University of Kansas and is certified to teach journalism. National Sportsmanship Day to Take Place Worldwide on March 7, 2000 More than 12,000 elementary, middle and high schools, as well as colleges and universities in all 50 U.S. states and 101 countries, will participate in the tenth annual National Sportsmanship Day "Dare To Play Fair" program on Tuesday, March 7, 2000. The objective of National Sportsmanship Day is to promote students’ appreciation of the critical role of ethics, honesty, peaceful conflict resolution and fair play in athletics and society, through the mediums of education and sport. Schools will focus their attention on the topic of sportsmanship with programs including "The No Swear Zone", essay and poster contests, student roundtables, and coaches’ forums. As part of NSD, a diverse group of individuals, representing various academic and athletic fields, are selected to serve as Sports Ethics Fellows. Some of the past Fellows include: Carl Lewis, 9-time Olympic gold medallist in track and field; Nykesha Sales, player for the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle; Kirby Puckett, 10-time All-Star with the Minnesota Twins; Joan Benoit Samuelson, gold medallist in the first women’s Olympic marathon in 1984; Brad Faxon, golfer, PGA Tour; Donna Lopiano, executive director of the Women’s Sports Foundation; and Joe Paterno, longtime head football coach at Penn State University. Participating schools are provided with a free sportsmanship poster and instructional packet containing suggested activities, role-playing scenarios, sports and motivational quotes, essay contests, discussion questions and other activities aimed at furthering the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. Each school is then encouraged to adapt NSD to its own needs and carry out those activities that will provide administrators, students, athletes, parents and fans the opportunity to best address the issues of sportsmanship, ethics and fair play. Visit the NSD website (www.internationalsport.com) for sportsmanship articles, quotes, and beginning in January, the free instructional packet will be available. While all 12,000 schools celebrate NSD at their individual schools, others may participate on March 7th by logging in to the National Sportsmanship Day "live-chat room" on the NSD website, where sportsmanship issues, such as trash talking, "winning at all costs," professional athletes as role models, and fan behavior will be discussed. Guest sports celebrities will be on line to answer questions from students, teachers, and coaches. To register a school for National Sportsmanship Day, contact the NSD Headquarters at 1-800-447-9889 or (401) 874-2550 or sign up on the NSD website.
Summary of Meeting The following is a summary of the October 18, 1999 meeting of the Principals’ Committee on Athletics: The October meeting of the Principals’ Committee on Athletics was called to order at 1:40 pm. Executive Director’s Report The Executive Director’s Report was approved. Treasurer’s Report The Treasurer’s Report was approved. Communications Mr. Lynch referred to several memoranda and publications which were placed in member’s folders or filed in the League office. Football: Mr. Thomas Mezzanotte and Mr. James Murano Mr. Mezzanotte submitted the following report from the Football Committee:
In other business, Mr. Lynch announced that James Murano, Principal, Westerly High School, and Co-Director of RIIL Football, will be inducted into the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame on Wednesday, November 3, 1999. Cross Country Mr. Lynch announced that the Class and State meets will be held at Fort Adams State Park, Newport. Soccer: Ms. Jane Hale and Mr. Victor Mercurio Ms. Hale reported that she has received a request from Johnston High School to move down in girls’ soccer. This request will be reviewed by the Girls’ Soccer Committee, which is presently working on realignment. Mr. Mercurio reported that the number of available [make-up] dates is beginning to tighten up because of inclement weather. He also stated that the number of ejections has decreased this year. In other business, Mr. Lynch reported that Burrillville High School played an ineligible student-athlete in a boys’ soccer game. As a result, the school was fined $100, which has been paid, and the coach was ineligible to coach in the next League game, which he has done. Tennis: Mrs. Kathryn Crowley and Mr. John Lyle Mrs. Crowley reported on the playoff schedule for girls’ tennis. Of particular note was the last match of the regular season in Class A, which was changed from Tuesday, October 26th to Monday, October 25th. Quarterfinal matches in all divisions will be played at the home site of the school with the better record. All finals will be played at lighted, neutral courts. In other business, Mr. Lynch reported that Mt. Pleasant High School was fined $100 for failure to submit an eligibility list for girls’ tennis to the League office. Field Hockey: Ms. Jean Angell Ms. Angell reported that the season has gone well and everything is in place for the playoffs to be conducted at Providence College. Hockey: Mr. Daniel Sheehan Mr. Sheehan reported that since the 1999-2000 hockey schedule was approved at the September meeting of the Principals’ Committee on Athletics, rinks have taken back availability dates, causing the loss of six (6) available dates for RIIL hockey. All rinks have been cooperative in providing alternate dates. Therefore, a revised schedule has been developed and distributed to all participating schools. In other business, Mr. Sheehan reported that hockey officials are concerned about the present procedure for reading the ‘Blue Card’ to coaches and captains prior to the start of a game. While captains and coaches are at center ice for the reading of the Blue Card. teammates are skating and taking practice shots on goal, thereby creating a distraction. On a motion made and seconded, the Committee unanimously approved the following for hockey only: Before the first game, officials shall enter the locker room twenty (20) minutes prior to the start of the game and read the Blue Card to all coaches and the entire team. For the second game, officials will enter the locker room prior to the start of the third (3rd) period of the first game and read the Blue Card to all coaches and the entire team. Swimming: Mr. Kenneth Reall The 1999-2000 schedule was distributed for review and approval. Toll Gate High School and Classical High School have joined the RIIL swimming league. However, until Classical High School receives approval from the Providence School Board, their participation is tentative. On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics unanimously approved the 1999-2000 Swim Schedule. Gymnastics Mr. Magarian reported that the Gymnastics Committee met on Friday, October 8, 1999. The 1999-2000 schedule was distributed for approval. It was noted that Westerly and Woonsocket High Schools are new participants this year in the Gymnastics league. On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics unanimously approved the 1999-2000 Gymnastics Schedule. Slowpitch Softball Mr. Lynch reported that Coventry High School has declared the intent to participate in slowpitch softball. This will be in addition to their participation in fastpitch softball. Other Sports/Issues
Sports Medicine Advisory Committee Mr. Lynch reported on the following practice limitations as proposed by the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee:
On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics unanimously approved the practice limitations for all sports. Discussion ensued regarding practice limitations for [ice] hockey. It was noted that student-athletes who participate in hockey receive some sort of conditioning even when ice time is not available for practice; i.e., running, calisthenics, dry-land drills; etc. On a motion made and seconded, the Principals’ Committee on Athletics unanimously approved a 7-day practice limitation for hockey. Recruitment of Student-Athletes Mr. Lynch reported that the rule as it pertains to recruitment of student-athletes (Article 10 of the RIIL Rules and Regulations) has met with opposition, particularly from private/parochial schools. A counter-proposal of the rule has been offered by the Diocese of Providence. A meeting will be scheduled with representatives of the RIIL and the Diocese of Providence to discuss this important issue. The October meeting of the Principals’ Committee on Athletics was adjourned at 5:00 pm. Happy Thanksgiving! Send mail to webmaster@riil.org
with questions or comments about this web site. Information contained on this
website belongs to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League
All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
|
