Interscholastic Sports Essay
Introduction
Athletic participation either at the organized level or for recreation has become part of our social fabric in society (Proios, 2013). Sports involves a multitude of individuals from players, referees, fans, workers, coaches, staff, volunteers and various others involved in the organization and implementing of games and tournaments. The evidence that sport is part of our everyday life can be seen through media and social outlets, playgrounds, recreational facilities, retail athletic stores, state, local and state park recreational facilities, and dedicated sport channels that are available twenty four hours a day (Proios, 2013). How a person or persons acts when involved in athletic and sport participation, can be a greater …show more content…
predictor of what manner their behavior and attitude may be in society (Proios, 2013).
In other words, in can be asserted that an athletic team or organization can exemplify a small society in which ethical and moral behavior can be observed while adhering to the rules and policies (Proios, 2013). For interscholastic sports, the rules and policies that are written are for the benefit of the student-athlete along with the development and safety of their well-being. Furthermore, the interscholastic rules and policies are written and enforced by the governing body of each states interscholastic athletic association and any changes or revisions can affect the physical and mental welfare of the student-athlete along with any financial obligations. The following is an overview of different governing bodies that have an effect on interscholastic athletics and how they influence the procedures for creating and revising rules for …show more content…
interscholastic athletics.
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is an active organization that serves all 50 states and their governing interscholastic athletic associations by publishing rules for 16 different sports, fine arts programs in speech, theater, debate, and music (NFHS, 2014). The goal of the NFHS is to create a culture in which the student-athlete and participant have a positive experience while competing and partaking. Also, the NFHS creates standards and rules of competition that are consistent while helping those who oversee each of the extracurricular activities (NFHS, 2014). Furthermore, the NFHS has championed the advancement of combining education with sport and activities in order to support the student-athlete to succeed in life after sports and extracurricular activities (NFHS, 2014).
The NFHS has a procedure of writing and revising rules for interscholastic sports. The NFHS consists of 15 board of directors serving eight sections or regions throughout the United States, and 29 committees aimed to serve the various sports and arts programs. Each committee consists of 11 members with one member on the committee representing the NFHS Coaches and Officials Association, along with a NFHS Chair Person where each member holds a seat for four years in order to provide consistency and overlap (NFHSOrg, 2013). Each year the committee for each of the 15 sports (excluding football) sends out a questionnaire to interscholastic school athletic associations, coaches and officials. Upon receiving the results of the questionnaire, committee members compile the answers and outline potential rule and policy changes. Each committee meets to discuss how a rule would affect the particular sport or activity and then votes to either implement a rule change, revise, or do nothing (NFHSOrg, 2013). In some cases, there may be a motion to allow for an experimentation of a rule to ensure it is equitable for the student-athlete and participants. Once a rule change is voted for change it is then presented to the board of directors for final approval. After the NFHS board of directors give approval, the rules then are publicized on the NFHS website, announced to the media through press releases and sent to each states interscholastic athletic association. Lastly, the rules are sent to the rules editor where they are published and distributed nationwide (NFHSOrg, 2013).
The objective of the NFHS rules committee is to ensure the rules that are established are for the benefit of the student-athlete and participant where fair play, sportsmanship and safety are heavily weighted. Committee members are chosen because they have a high level of understanding of the rules and are the nation’s preeminent rule writers for sports and extra-curricular activities (NFHSOrg, 2013).
United States Golf Association (USGA)
The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the governing body of golf throughout the world which administers the Rules of Golf, defines equipment standards, and frames the Rules of Amateur Status, and maintains the USGA Handicap and Course Rating Systems (USGA, 2015).
In addition, the USGA develops and recommends sustainable golf course management practices, while preserving and promoting the history of the game (USGA, 2015). The USGA works in conjunction with The R&A, formally The Royal and Ancient Golf Club based in St Andrews, United Kingdom, to preserve the traditions of the game while ensuring that all who participate can enjoy the spirit of golf (USGA, 2015). Since December 22, 1894, the USGA has been the centralized governing body that has written, overseen and revised the Rules of golf, conduct national championships, and established the handicapping system for players (USGA, 2015). The USGA has more than 700,000 members, 9,000 member clubs, 1,200 volunteers and a staff of 300, along with a leadership team that embodies some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the game of golf (USGA, 2015). There are four leadership teams that consist of a 15 member Executive Committee, a Senior Leadership team who oversees the day to day operations, a Regional Affairs Team whom act as liaisons between the Association and State and Regional Golf Associations, and a 14 member USGA Women’s Committee whom conducts the USGA's women's championships (USGA,
2015).
The Rules of Golf for amateur and professional play are established by a Rules Committee within the USGA (USGA, 2015). Each ruling body of the Rules Committee meet several times each year to discuss the Rules of Golf. Twice per year, the Rules Committee and one representative from both ruling bodies, along with one representative from the Royal Canadian Golf Association meet at the Joint Rules Committee (USGA, 2015). There are two books on rules that are published as a result of the committees meeting. The first is the Decisions on the Rules of Golf book that is revised and circulated every two years in the even number of years (USGA, 2015). The second, the Rules of Golf are revised and released every four years during the leap years (USGA, 2015). Writing, interpreting, and revising the Rules of Golf is one of the core functions of the USGA (USGA, 2015). Individual state interscholastic athletic associations have elected to adopt the USGA Rules of Golf for their league and championship tournament play as a way to conduct fair play and be consistent throughout boys and girls golf. When the USGA makes a rule change, each interscholastic athletic association is responsible for communicating that change to each member school.
United States Tennis Association (USTA)
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the governing body of the sport of tennis throughout the United States. The USTA mission is to promote the game of tennis at every level from local community recreational player to the U.S. Open Tennis Championship (USGA, 2015). The USTA is led by a board of directors, executive staff, and various committees that focus on continued development of the game of tennis (USGA, 2015). For the rules of play, the USTA has established a Rules Council in which it reviews and establishes the USTA Regulations for all levels of play. In addition, the Rules Council interprets the USTA Regulations in order to guide others for fair competition, notifies tennis organizations and clubs of rule changes, proposes rule revisions, assists other committee members with the proper understanding of the USTA Regulations and Rules of Tennis (USTA, 2015). Interscholastic athletic associations throughout the United States have elected to follow the USTA Regulations and Rules of Tennis in order to adhere to fair play and sportsmanship. Therefore, it is up to each individual states interscholastic athletic associations to follow and enforce the USTA Regulations and Rules of Tennis throughout each school who is a member of the state’s athletic association. Furthermore, the USTA is divided into 17 sections throughout the United States where the committees for each section work directly with the tennis communities. Each sections responsibility is to promote the game of tennis along with receiving and hearing any type of grievances or complaints about the rule of play and regulations. The role of the USTA in interscholastic tennis is to influence the consistency of following the rules and regulations that have been written within the USTA constitution and bylaws.
USA Track and Field (USATF)
The USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track & field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States and is a volunteered, non-profit organization with a full-time staff that operates at its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana (USATF, 2015). Organizations that belong to the USATF are the U.S. Olympic Committee, NCAA, NAIA, Road Runners Club of America, Running USA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (USTA, 2015). The USATF is organized by divisions, committees, and councils that oversee each level of competition to ensure the bylaws and operating regulations are being followed by each organization who is a member. Furthermore, the USATF has a section on policies that range from code of conduct for participants and officials, to safety, discrimination, travel and various other areas that may affect the purity of the USATF organization. Discrepancies or grievances can be submitted to the USATF offices where a committee will review and rule. The USATF publishes a new rule book each year with the all the changes and revisions. For interscholastic competition, it is expected that all events follow the USATF rules and regulations so to conduct fair play and sportsmanship. Furthermore, the National Federation of State High School Associations is a member of the USATF, therefore interscholastic athletic associations that are members of the NFHS, have traditionally followed the guidelines that have been established for track and field.
Interscholastic Athletic Rules and Policies
Interscholastic athletics is part of the high school experience for many individuals. The participation in sports is considered an extracurricular activity that is voluntary in addition to attending school. The rules and regulations for interscholastic sports are governed by each states athletic association (Lowrey, 2014). Therefore, the policies that are set forth are written and revised by each states board of directors or committees. Each states athletic association relies on national sporting organizations to guide the framework of the rules and regulations (Lowrey, 2014). For instance, boys and girls high school golf in the state of Michigan follows the United States Golf Association rules and policies for match play and tournaments (MHSAA, 2015). The Michigan High School Athletic Association looks to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for rules and policies for the sports that they offer. When the NFHS makes a rule change for a particular sport, the MHSAA will follow suite and revise the specific rule for the sport that it being changed (MHSAA, 2015)
The implications of a rule change effects all stakeholders involved. An example of how one rule change of moving a sport from fall to winter and another from winter to fall can be found in the state of Michigan. After 33 years, girls’ basketball was moved from being played in the fall to winter to accommodate gender equality in sports (Raffel, 2015). The nine year legal battle of a Grand Rapids, Michigan based group, Communities for Equity, sued the MHSAA in order to have the changed made. The legal battle traveled to the nations Supreme Court, but was refused a hearing and placed back in the hands of the lower courts. The financial cost for the MHSAA association neared $7 million and nearly caused the MHSAA to file bankruptcy. Majority of the coaches, players, parents, school districts, and the MHSAA opposed such a change of moving the sport to the winters as having girls basketball in the fall allowed teams to have the spotlight for their season and for greater participation of student-athletes while having exclusive exposure to college scouts (Raffel, 2015). Furthermore, this created financial strains on athletic budgets, gym availability, scheduling, and less opportunity for student-athlete participation as other sports were effected as well. The golf season changed for boys and girls with the girls now play in the fall and the boys in the spring, girls’ volleyball is now played in the fall and boy’s tennis is now in the fall and girls in the spring (Raffel, 2015). For rule and regulation changes to take place in interscholastic sports, the general procedure is to follow the grievance policy that sporting organizations have available (Lowrey, 2014). The NFHS, USGA, USTA, and the USATF all have a grievance policy as well as the state high school athletic associations. Once a grievance is written and submitted, a board or committee will review it, discuss the grievance and then rule if there should be a change in the policy or rule. Moreover, each governing body has a policy on submitting requests for a rule to be looked at and considered for revision.
Athletic participation either at the organized level or for recreation has become part of our social fabric in society (Proios, 2013). Sports involves a multitude of individuals from players, referees, fans, workers, coaches, staff, volunteers and various others involved in the organization and implementing of games and tournaments. The evidence that sport is part of our everyday life can be seen through media and social outlets, playgrounds, recreational facilities, retail athletic stores, state, local and state park recreational facilities, and dedicated sport channels that are available twenty four hours a day (Proios, 2013). How a person or persons acts when involved in athletic and sport participation, can be a greater …show more content…
predictor of what manner their behavior and attitude may be in society (Proios, 2013).
In other words, in can be asserted that an athletic team or organization can exemplify a small society in which ethical and moral behavior can be observed while adhering to the rules and policies (Proios, 2013). For interscholastic sports, the rules and policies that are written are for the benefit of the student-athlete along with the development and safety of their well-being. Furthermore, the interscholastic rules and policies are written and enforced by the governing body of each states interscholastic athletic association and any changes or revisions can affect the physical and mental welfare of the student-athlete along with any financial obligations. The following is an overview of different governing bodies that have an effect on interscholastic athletics and how they influence the procedures for creating and revising rules for …show more content…
interscholastic athletics.
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is an active organization that serves all 50 states and their governing interscholastic athletic associations by publishing rules for 16 different sports, fine arts programs in speech, theater, debate, and music (NFHS, 2014). The goal of the NFHS is to create a culture in which the student-athlete and participant have a positive experience while competing and partaking. Also, the NFHS creates standards and rules of competition that are consistent while helping those who oversee each of the extracurricular activities (NFHS, 2014). Furthermore, the NFHS has championed the advancement of combining education with sport and activities in order to support the student-athlete to succeed in life after sports and extracurricular activities (NFHS, 2014).
The NFHS has a procedure of writing and revising rules for interscholastic sports. The NFHS consists of 15 board of directors serving eight sections or regions throughout the United States, and 29 committees aimed to serve the various sports and arts programs. Each committee consists of 11 members with one member on the committee representing the NFHS Coaches and Officials Association, along with a NFHS Chair Person where each member holds a seat for four years in order to provide consistency and overlap (NFHSOrg, 2013). Each year the committee for each of the 15 sports (excluding football) sends out a questionnaire to interscholastic school athletic associations, coaches and officials. Upon receiving the results of the questionnaire, committee members compile the answers and outline potential rule and policy changes. Each committee meets to discuss how a rule would affect the particular sport or activity and then votes to either implement a rule change, revise, or do nothing (NFHSOrg, 2013). In some cases, there may be a motion to allow for an experimentation of a rule to ensure it is equitable for the student-athlete and participants. Once a rule change is voted for change it is then presented to the board of directors for final approval. After the NFHS board of directors give approval, the rules then are publicized on the NFHS website, announced to the media through press releases and sent to each states interscholastic athletic association. Lastly, the rules are sent to the rules editor where they are published and distributed nationwide (NFHSOrg, 2013).
The objective of the NFHS rules committee is to ensure the rules that are established are for the benefit of the student-athlete and participant where fair play, sportsmanship and safety are heavily weighted. Committee members are chosen because they have a high level of understanding of the rules and are the nation’s preeminent rule writers for sports and extra-curricular activities (NFHSOrg, 2013).
United States Golf Association (USGA)
The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the governing body of golf throughout the world which administers the Rules of Golf, defines equipment standards, and frames the Rules of Amateur Status, and maintains the USGA Handicap and Course Rating Systems (USGA, 2015).
In addition, the USGA develops and recommends sustainable golf course management practices, while preserving and promoting the history of the game (USGA, 2015). The USGA works in conjunction with The R&A, formally The Royal and Ancient Golf Club based in St Andrews, United Kingdom, to preserve the traditions of the game while ensuring that all who participate can enjoy the spirit of golf (USGA, 2015). Since December 22, 1894, the USGA has been the centralized governing body that has written, overseen and revised the Rules of golf, conduct national championships, and established the handicapping system for players (USGA, 2015). The USGA has more than 700,000 members, 9,000 member clubs, 1,200 volunteers and a staff of 300, along with a leadership team that embodies some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the game of golf (USGA, 2015). There are four leadership teams that consist of a 15 member Executive Committee, a Senior Leadership team who oversees the day to day operations, a Regional Affairs Team whom act as liaisons between the Association and State and Regional Golf Associations, and a 14 member USGA Women’s Committee whom conducts the USGA's women's championships (USGA,
2015).
The Rules of Golf for amateur and professional play are established by a Rules Committee within the USGA (USGA, 2015). Each ruling body of the Rules Committee meet several times each year to discuss the Rules of Golf. Twice per year, the Rules Committee and one representative from both ruling bodies, along with one representative from the Royal Canadian Golf Association meet at the Joint Rules Committee (USGA, 2015). There are two books on rules that are published as a result of the committees meeting. The first is the Decisions on the Rules of Golf book that is revised and circulated every two years in the even number of years (USGA, 2015). The second, the Rules of Golf are revised and released every four years during the leap years (USGA, 2015). Writing, interpreting, and revising the Rules of Golf is one of the core functions of the USGA (USGA, 2015). Individual state interscholastic athletic associations have elected to adopt the USGA Rules of Golf for their league and championship tournament play as a way to conduct fair play and be consistent throughout boys and girls golf. When the USGA makes a rule change, each interscholastic athletic association is responsible for communicating that change to each member school.
United States Tennis Association (USTA)
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the governing body of the sport of tennis throughout the United States. The USTA mission is to promote the game of tennis at every level from local community recreational player to the U.S. Open Tennis Championship (USGA, 2015). The USTA is led by a board of directors, executive staff, and various committees that focus on continued development of the game of tennis (USGA, 2015). For the rules of play, the USTA has established a Rules Council in which it reviews and establishes the USTA Regulations for all levels of play. In addition, the Rules Council interprets the USTA Regulations in order to guide others for fair competition, notifies tennis organizations and clubs of rule changes, proposes rule revisions, assists other committee members with the proper understanding of the USTA Regulations and Rules of Tennis (USTA, 2015). Interscholastic athletic associations throughout the United States have elected to follow the USTA Regulations and Rules of Tennis in order to adhere to fair play and sportsmanship. Therefore, it is up to each individual states interscholastic athletic associations to follow and enforce the USTA Regulations and Rules of Tennis throughout each school who is a member of the state’s athletic association. Furthermore, the USTA is divided into 17 sections throughout the United States where the committees for each section work directly with the tennis communities. Each sections responsibility is to promote the game of tennis along with receiving and hearing any type of grievances or complaints about the rule of play and regulations. The role of the USTA in interscholastic tennis is to influence the consistency of following the rules and regulations that have been written within the USTA constitution and bylaws.
USA Track and Field (USATF)
The USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track & field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States and is a volunteered, non-profit organization with a full-time staff that operates at its headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana (USATF, 2015). Organizations that belong to the USATF are the U.S. Olympic Committee, NCAA, NAIA, Road Runners Club of America, Running USA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (USTA, 2015). The USATF is organized by divisions, committees, and councils that oversee each level of competition to ensure the bylaws and operating regulations are being followed by each organization who is a member. Furthermore, the USATF has a section on policies that range from code of conduct for participants and officials, to safety, discrimination, travel and various other areas that may affect the purity of the USATF organization. Discrepancies or grievances can be submitted to the USATF offices where a committee will review and rule. The USATF publishes a new rule book each year with the all the changes and revisions. For interscholastic competition, it is expected that all events follow the USATF rules and regulations so to conduct fair play and sportsmanship. Furthermore, the National Federation of State High School Associations is a member of the USATF, therefore interscholastic athletic associations that are members of the NFHS, have traditionally followed the guidelines that have been established for track and field.
Interscholastic Athletic Rules and Policies
Interscholastic athletics is part of the high school experience for many individuals. The participation in sports is considered an extracurricular activity that is voluntary in addition to attending school. The rules and regulations for interscholastic sports are governed by each states athletic association (Lowrey, 2014). Therefore, the policies that are set forth are written and revised by each states board of directors or committees. Each states athletic association relies on national sporting organizations to guide the framework of the rules and regulations (Lowrey, 2014). For instance, boys and girls high school golf in the state of Michigan follows the United States Golf Association rules and policies for match play and tournaments (MHSAA, 2015). The Michigan High School Athletic Association looks to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for rules and policies for the sports that they offer. When the NFHS makes a rule change for a particular sport, the MHSAA will follow suite and revise the specific rule for the sport that it being changed (MHSAA, 2015)
The implications of a rule change effects all stakeholders involved. An example of how one rule change of moving a sport from fall to winter and another from winter to fall can be found in the state of Michigan. After 33 years, girls’ basketball was moved from being played in the fall to winter to accommodate gender equality in sports (Raffel, 2015). The nine year legal battle of a Grand Rapids, Michigan based group, Communities for Equity, sued the MHSAA in order to have the changed made. The legal battle traveled to the nations Supreme Court, but was refused a hearing and placed back in the hands of the lower courts. The financial cost for the MHSAA association neared $7 million and nearly caused the MHSAA to file bankruptcy. Majority of the coaches, players, parents, school districts, and the MHSAA opposed such a change of moving the sport to the winters as having girls basketball in the fall allowed teams to have the spotlight for their season and for greater participation of student-athletes while having exclusive exposure to college scouts (Raffel, 2015). Furthermore, this created financial strains on athletic budgets, gym availability, scheduling, and less opportunity for student-athlete participation as other sports were effected as well. The golf season changed for boys and girls with the girls now play in the fall and the boys in the spring, girls’ volleyball is now played in the fall and boy’s tennis is now in the fall and girls in the spring (Raffel, 2015). For rule and regulation changes to take place in interscholastic sports, the general procedure is to follow the grievance policy that sporting organizations have available (Lowrey, 2014). The NFHS, USGA, USTA, and the USATF all have a grievance policy as well as the state high school athletic associations. Once a grievance is written and submitted, a board or committee will review it, discuss the grievance and then rule if there should be a change in the policy or rule. Moreover, each governing body has a policy on submitting requests for a rule to be looked at and considered for revision.