I HSAA VIOLATIONS: I have sent JB two photos. One is series of text. messages the coach sent from the MCS school message system to girls conveying she wants the girls to continue to practice and train at an off-site location. I have also sent JB a copy of the IHSAA May 6th memo that finishes by saying anything not normally allowed off campus by normal rules are still prohibited. It references a reminder memo that was sent previously to be sure that coaches understood they could not organize practices off campus simply because they couldn’t organize at the school itself.

Anecdotal notes: or things I can tell you that have been reported to me include. MCS administration is aware of the problem and verbally contacted the IHSAA. For whatever reason the IHSAA thought parents were organizing the practices and providing space- not just providing space. In such a case IHSAA has no jurisdiction. Parents can do what they see fit so long as it’s not on school property. But the IHSAA either misunderstood, had false or incomplete information. Because when provided the coaches text which comes directly from the school it clearly shows the coach/school is organizing off MCS campus training. The full set of documents was submitted to IHSAA; they are now speaking with the school and ascertaining the confusion over the initial report as well as how to respond to the violation. The responsibility for IHSAA compliance rests mainly with the coach but is shared by the athletic director, superintendent and school board.

A previous violation of allowing members to practice without physicals on file resulted in two team members sitting the bench until they could complete 10 additional practices before playing in games. I have no idea how this actually impacted play time for those involved- I have been told that at least one parent was upset because the physical had been submitted but somehow was either lost or misfiled. Regardless it was upsetting to the players and the team. The responsibility for providing proof (physicals on file) assuring students are fit and safe to play rests with the coach. I am told the coach acted to penalize by “benching” the effected players and there were no IHSAA actions taken simply upset team members and parents.

These IHSAA violations go to coach performance and have no connection to other topics but are part of the concerns from players and parents. IHSAA violations can have serious consequences for players, teams and even entire schools. Normally just the players are sanctioned which can and sometimes does matter for scholarships. However some programs have been sanctioned- where a team is stripped of conference or sectional or state titles or even prevented from playing in post season games. Other times a schools entire sports program may be sanctioned. So IHSAA violations are not to be dismissed. Tami

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