The OHSAA has its place in the big picture and I believe many of us would agree that a sanctioning body is needed. The problem is their insistence to “busy” themselves with rules and regulations that are not pertinent to the game. There appears to be an underlying message that parents don’t know how to raise their own children. OHSAA is establishing guidelines that directly effect goals that you may want to pursue. They hide behind the contingent that you don’t HAVE to play school sports. If you don’t like the rules----don’t participate. This attitude oversteps many boundaries and I believe it to be a slap in the face to parents in Ohio.
Let me share my interpretation of “why” the OHSAA was created and “what” their involvement should be.
Back in the day; I envision a representative from a school somewhere having tea with a representative from another school when one bragged about the ability of the kids playing a game during their lunch break. The other responded they felt their students played that same game very well and perhaps a wager of sorts took place for bragging rights of who was the best. Let’s play each other and the winner can keep our school bell for a year. They set up a date and time; the communities heard and came to watch as the first interscholastic competition was played. Afterwards, they shook hands and said we should do this again and rivalries and traditions were born. As time went by, other communities got involved. It was an atmosphere of pride as the student athletes voluntarily represented the school, student body, and the community in competition. The best from each school competed and the community took pride in knowing the players on the teams and appreciated their sacrifice and efforts. This in a nutshell is what school sports were to be about. It wasn’t gym class. It was never a guarantee that everyone would play but in fact an opportunity for communities to put together an all-star squad to compete against neighboring all-star squads for bragging rights.
As time went by and more communities wanted to get in on the action, somebody suggested they establish a board that could put together some basic rules and regulations so all the communities would be on the same page. Over the years, they decided on a single elimination tournament to declare the “best of the Best” and set guidelines and establish a format for everyone to follow. Things were good until somebody on the board decided to overstep some boundaries because their personal beliefs were different from some of the families or the schools that were participating. This board member/members decided that too much fun wasn’t healthy for the kids so restrictions for the length of the season, rules against practicing beyond the season, or regulations against coaches helping mentor their student athletes in the off-season were forced upon everyone. Here’s where the ship began to sink and “why” the OHSAA is being challenged today.
If only the OHSAA would fall back and regulate at the level their forefathers created, everyone would be happy. Let the individual school districts decide what is best for their families and student athletes. Let elected school board members that directly represent the community decide if local coaches should mentor student athletes with any restrictions. Let the people decide if they want their children to only play one sport all year or if they should be required to sit around months on end with nothing to do until the school season begins again. Let individual school districts police things internally and decide on the fate of coaches and players.
Why does the OHSAA believe they should be in a position of power to alter decisions regarding sports in individual households? The only answer I can think of ----because they can. Again, what do they believe is the solution to your turmoil? You don’t have to play.
How grown up is that for a sanctioning body?
