September 16, 2007
High School Football: Silence on Concussions Raises Risks of Injury
To Kelby Jasmon, there was only one answer. The question: If he received yet another concussion this football season, while playing offensive and defensive line for his high school in Springfield, Ill., would he tell a coach or trainer?Jasmon, with his battering-ram, freshly buzz-cut head and eyes that danced with impending glory, immediately answered: “No chance. It’s not dangerous to play with a concussion. You’ve got to sacrifice for the sake of the team. The only way I come out is on a stretcher.”
Jasmon, a senior with three concussions on his résumé, looked at two teammates for support and unity. They said the same thing with the same certainty: They did not quite know what a concussion was, and would never tell their coaches if they believed they had sustained one.
Matt Selvaggio, who plays with Jasmon on both lines, said: “Our coaches would take us out in a second. So why would we tell them?”
Many of the 1.2 million teenagers who play high school football are chanting similar war whoops as they strap on their helmets. They either do not know what a concussion is or they simply do not care. Their code of silence, bred by football’s gladiator culture, allows them to play on and sometimes be hurt much worse — sometimes fatally.
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May 4, 2007
More on the MMSD Golf Team Consolidation
In an anticipated move, Big Eight Conference athletic directors unanimously voted to reject the Madison School Board's proposal to consolidate prep boys golf teams beginning next spring.With a 9-0 vote, it was agreed that combining athletic teams was strictly a participation issue as opposed to a financial one, Madison Memorial athletic director Tim Ritchie said Thursday.
"Our numbers are good for golf," Ritchie said.
The idea of combining teams from Madison Memorial and Madison West, as well as teams from Madison La Follette and Madison East will not be proposed to the WIAA because the conference did not agree to it, Ritchie said.
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February 18, 2007
Where is Sport Steering Youth?
For generations it has been one of the great American axioms, accepted truth on diamonds, courts and gridirons everywhere: Sports builds character, instilling the values of teamwork and good sportsmanship.But amid fresh headlines of alleged cheating in auto racing, continuing controversies over steroid use in baseball, track and cycling and ugly brawls among basketball players comes a nationwide survey suggesting a decidedly darker vision of sports.
"There is reason to worry that the sports fields of America are becoming the training grounds for the next generation of corporate and political villains and thieves," says Los Angeles ethicist Michael Josephson.
The latest two-year study of high school athletes by the Josephson Institute found a higher rate of cheating in school among student-athletes than among their classmates. It also found a growing acceptance of cheating to gain advantages in competition.
Josephson's report, based on interviews across the country with 5,275 high school athletes, concluded that too many coaches are "teaching our kids to cheat and cut corners."
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October 22, 2006
Parents vs. Coach
Parents interfering in their kids' sports is nothing new. But a group of parents at Castro Valley High is taking it to a new extreme.What started as a group of unhappy parents griping amongst themselves has ballooned into multiple investigations, an observer attending every girls varsity basketball practice and a committee that will pick the team.
It's the kind of over-the-top behavior that's increasingly common -- parents running on the field, screaming from the sidelines and, in the worst cases, punching out officials. It happens when well-intentioned parents let their protective instincts for their children overwhelm their good judgment.
In Castro Valley, the club wielded by parents is legal clout.
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September 24, 2006
The Ballad of Big Mike
When he did this, Mitchell opened the book for him. She didn’t care much about football, but she fairly quickly became attached to Michael. There was just something about him that made you want to help him. He tried so hard and for so little return. “One night it wasn’t going so well, and I got frustrated,” Mitchell says, “and he said to me, ‘Miss Sue, you have to remember I’ve only been going to school for two years.”’From Lewis's new book: The Blind Side.His senior year he made all A’s and B’s. It nearly killed him, but he did it. The Briarcrest academic marathon, in which Michael started out a distant last and had instantly fallen farther behind, came to a surprising end: in a class of 157 students, he finished 154th. He had caught up to and passed three of his classmates. When Sean saw the final report card, he turned to Michael with a straight face and said, “You didn’t lose; you just ran out of time.”
Jason Kottke has more.
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December 6, 2005
Successful First Day of MSCR's Extramural Programming
Message to the School Board from Lucy Chaffin, MSCR Director:
On Saturday December 3, 2005 we held the first day of games for the new 9th and 10th grade extramural basketball league. We had 71 participants for a total of 8 teams and roughly 100 spectators including parents and friends of players. All participants, coaches and specators were very respectful and well behaved and created a fun and recreational atmosphere for the day. Skill levels of participants varied greatly and all students received equal playing time.
We are currently seeking a coach for a West High team and one of the
LaFollette teams. If you know of anyone interested please have them
contact Diana Miller at 204-4580.
A special thanks to West High Athletic Director, Boyce Hodge for being extremely helpful with set-up at West. Thanks for everyone's support and help.
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September 30, 2005
MSCR High School Extramural Program Position Announcement
The Madison School District has two positions for the new High School Extramural Program at MSCR. The purpose of this position is to develop, promote and coordinate after school clubs and extramural sports at two regular high school sites and for one alternative high school. Lucy Chaffin wrote: Hi everyone, I would really like to get the word out about these two positions open at MSCR. Please pass along and post at any place you feel is appropriate.
HOURS PER WEEK: 38.75 HOURS OF WORK: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. w/**Flexibility to cover Saturday morning hours during extramural sports seasons. NORMAL BIWEEKLY STARTING RATE OF PAY: $1478.50. DEADLINE TO APPLY: October 14, 2005. For more information contact Lucy Chaffin, Executive Director, MSCR at 608-204-3015 or go to http://mmsd.org/hr/jobprof.htm (for this position or others).
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
The following responsibilities are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties will be required and assigned.
· Design and implement after-school, evening and weekend enrichment programs at assigned high schools that will appeal to a diverse audience of high school aged students.
· Recruits club leaders, extramural sport coaches and volunteers from within and outside of school staff. Provides staff training in the area of required record keeping, payroll.
· Works with high school staff to schedule facilities for use by clubs and extramural sports.
· Promotes clubs and extramural sports to students and teachers within the school setting. Promotes these activities in the school newsletter on a regular basis. Keeps school administration and secretary informed about clubs and sport activities.
· Conducts club/extramural program visits to monitor program effectiveness, provide feedback to club leaders and coaches, assist in trouble shooting and finding solutions to any concerns.
· Arranges participant transportation as required for programs.
· Establishes a physically and emotionally safe program environment. Ensures compliance with MMSD standards. Ensures compliance with MSCR participant code of conduct.
· Serves as a liaison between MSCR staff and school personnel. Meets regularly with MSCR High School Program specialist and high school staff, including athletic directors.
· Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with club and extramural leaders, participants, parents, community members and school personnel.
· Tracks participation statistics, maintains necessary records, and develops and submits required reports to recreation specialist and/or supervisor.
· Develop and implement program partnerships with area community centers, community agencies and individuals.
· Supervise daily after-school, evening and weekend programs.
· Monitor enrollment & registration of students in MSCR programs.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
· Experience working with students and families from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
· Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with diverse students, staff, and community members.
· Experience working cross-culturally and/or commitment to work toward improving one’s own cultural competence, i.e., valuing difference/diversity, recognizing personal limitations in one’s skills and expertise, and having the desire to learn in these areas.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
· Bachelor’s degree preferred.
· High school diploma required, with a minimum of two years of post-high school education and two years experience working in programs for high school aged youth and supervising staff and/or volunteers; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
· Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel software.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
All applications, including applications for transfer, promotion or demotion and Experience Inventory must be on file in the
Department of Human Resources no later than 4:15 p.m. on the deadline date.
SELECTION PROCESS:
All completed applications on file in the Department of Human Resources as of the due date will be evaluated. Applicants
may also be required to satisfactorily complete a written examination or skills test. The most qualified applicant(s) will be
referred to the hiring authority for an interview.
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July 12, 2005
Private funds ok'd for soccer
Private funds for 2 West High Soccer teams were approved by the School Board on Monday, July 11th. The approval is for one year.
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June 15, 2005
More Sanity in Youth Sports
A well written article by a teenager on the state of youth sports today and the overemphasis on competition and winning as the main value. Need to continue to emphasize fun and skill development.
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May 22, 2005
Goodbye Freshman No Cut Sports
The school district comments line (comments@madison.k12.wi.us) for school board members has been getting several messages regarding the “Freshman No Cut Sports Program.” Regardless of what happens with the operating referendum on May 24th, this particular program will cease to exist. The Freshman No Cut Sports program has been a staple in the school district for over 20 years. This program is indeed another causality of the state imposed revenue caps. Unfortunately because of the school district’s severe budget constraints, I find it very difficult to justify the programs continuance in its current form.
This Freshman No Cut Sports guarantees 9th grade high school students the opportunity to participate in athletics. Primarily this program involves the creation of extra teams in boys and girls basketball and girls volleyball (and maybe soccer, too). For example, if there were 60 students who wanted to participate in a sport the district would create four teams (or 15 students per team – depending on the sport). Two of those teams would participate in a “high level competitive environment” by playing against other teams from the Big 8 conference such as other Madison schools, Middleton, Sun Prairie, Beloit and Janesville. These would be your more athletically gifted players. The other teams called “Metro” teams play an abbreviated schedule against other Madison schools and perhaps Middleton. Players on these teams would be considered “less athletically gifted.” Given that the school board increased the activity fee to $115 per sport, you have to ask yourself are those athletes getting their monies worth and can the taxpaying community support the perception of another “extra activity” for the school district?
Last fall, Superintendent Art Rainwater developed a task force of athletic directors, booster club members and coaches to make recommendations regarding the future of sports programming in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). One of their many recommendations was to eliminate the “Freshman No Cut Sports” program and replace it with an “extra-mural” program where students would have a limited schedule of playing against other students. This program would still have the same effect related to the district’s Educational Framework of Engagement, Learning and Relationships, however, it would be funded and conducted differently. At the same time, the MMSD will continue to honor its Big 8 conference contractual agreements to provide freshman and junior varsity teams in most sports when applicable.
I believe that MMSD staff, booster clubs and members of the school board are working diligently to continue to provide extracurricular activities for students of all ability levels. Unfortunately, it will be difficult to provide this experience to as many students as in the past in the same format. In the future, I will recommend a fee increase in some sports as well as admission prices. In addition, I believe that the school board will have to evaluate its policies related to business partnerships (advertising and program underwriting) to continue to support athletic programming and other extracurricular activities. Also, partnerships will have to be developed and strengthened with community organizations such as the YMCA, Little Leagues, neighborhood centers, and other community athletic organizations to augment school programs that the district doesn’t have the capacity or the fiscal budget to continue.
We are in a very difficult situation that doesn’t look to be getting any better soon. I agree that athletics plays a very important part in the lives of students. But so do many other academic and extracurricular activities. Sadly, I say goodbye to “Freshman No Cut Sports.” It provided many students the opportunity for not only athletic enjoyment but helped in developing social and team building skills as well. Just like strings, it was a program that made the MMSD special. It will be missed.
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February 7, 2005
Madison Schools Proposed Athletic Field Fees
A reader forwarded me comments that were sent to the Madison School Board regarding the proposed athletic field fees:
As you would guess, many of us who have watched a soccer game, t-ball game or football game and enjoyed the unencumbered spirit and play of our children and have personally mowed the grass, or lined a field, you may oppose the school board proposal of a user fee for the athletic fields during non-school hours.I sent a letter to the comments section of MMSD school board. Send yours to: comments@ at madison.k12.wi.us
My letter to the school board stated:
I notice there is a proposal whereby the school board wants to consider placing a user fee on the school athletic fields for any use of these fields outside of school functions and MSCR activities. I am opposed to this proposal for a few reasons:1. The school boards refusal to look at cutting administrative costs downtown as part of any budget proposals. Continuing to cut teaching positions and programs that affect learning is not reasonable and needs to be discouraged. Also would encourage looking at savings in terms of health care costs by negotiating HMO contracts rather than giving the teachers the comprehensive health insurance they presently receive.
2. The lack of maintenance of the fields by the schools. I have personally mowed the soccer fields at Cherokee, lined the fields and have watched coaches donate time and equipment (goals) to make the fields playable. I doubt that the maintenance or quality of equipment will improve with the user fee proposed.
3. Anything that can be done to encourage childhood fitness rather than discourage it should be the stance of the school board. Using the fees towards an improved PE curriculum with daily PE through 12th grade, improved athletic facilities both indoor and outdoor or promises of daily physical activity time outside of PE would be a first step in garnering my support of such a fee.
If the fee is assessed, I will not be interested in supporting the proposed referendum for a new school or capital improvement.
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September 21, 2004
September 20, 2004 MMSD Board of Education Meeting Audio/Video Clips
Barb Schrank collected video & audio clips from last nights Madison School District Board of Education Meeting:
- Don Hunt: Retired West High School Art Teacher Fine Arts Statement [MP3 1.4MB] [Quicktime Video] [Transcripts: html | PDF]
- Barb Schrank Fine Arts Presentation [MP3 1.6MB] [Quicktime Video] [Transcripts: html | PDF]
- Mariel Wozniak Fine Arts Presentation [MP3 1.9MB] [Quicktime Video] [Transcripts: html | PDF]
- Juan Lopez lecture to Ruth Robarts [MP3 2.7MB] [Quicktime Video] [Transcripts: html | PDF]
- Athletic Fees Presentation [MP3] [Quicktime Video] [Transcripts: html | PDF]
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September 18, 2004
Lower Athletic Ticket Prices - Keep Extracurricular Athletic Budget As Is
What Short-Term Option Would I Suggest for Board Consideration? I would lower the ticket prices to last years prices and include volleyball and swimming. Why - families with low or tight budgets are the ones being disenfranchised, and I believe that the drop in attendance will all but wipe out any potential gains from increased ticket prices. I would also not add any additional funds to the athletics budget and have the District Administration, Athletic Directors, Booster club representatives, parents, kids need to come together to review and to prioritize the extracurricular sports budget.
What Short-Term Option Would I Suggest for Board Consideration? I would lower the ticket prices to last years prices and include volleyball and swimming. Why - families with low or tight budgets are the ones being disenfranchised, and I believe that the drop in attendance will all but wipe out any potential gains from increased ticket prices. I would also not add any additional funds to the athletics budget and have the District Administration, Athletic Directors, Booster club representatives, parents, kids need to come together to review and to prioritize the extracurricular sports budget. My reasons for this recommendation follow:
Extracurricular Sports Budget - The '04-'05 extracurricular sports budget is $2 million including the $210,000 the board transferred from the educational fund to the extracurricular sports budget several weeks ago. The approximate cost/extracurricular sports participant using 03-04 numbers is $484/participant (not including revenues from fees and ticket sales) and $395/participant net (including the reduced budget expense when fees and ticket sale revenues are included). I expect the numbers for 04-05 are not that much different. Consider that you spend on academics about $1,000/child on elementary math and $200-250/child on elementary art. Spending more than the current amount/participant on extracurricular sports does not make strategic or fiscal sense.
What Can the District Spend on Extracurricular Sports? - Board members need to ask how much can the District spend on extracurricular sports. I would suggest that the District cannot spend anymore than you are currently spending and that the additional $210,000 that the board transferred several weeks ago was more than the District could afford to add to extracurricular sports. Board members are saying to the public that the District does not have the money to educate our children adding money to extracurricular sports before educational priorities does not pass the common sense test. This would seem to imply that academic priorities do not come first, which will be a hard sell to the public when asking for additional operating funds.
Original Revenue Calculation May Actually Not Add Any Revenue At your Performance and Achievement Committee, public in attendance asked if the administration had included a drop in attendance when they calculated revenue increases from increased ticket prices. The administration said they had not included a drop in attendance. A 10% drop in attendance would reduce revenues about $24,000. A 30% drop in attendance would reduce revenues $80,000. In sum, you may have no increase in revenue from increased prices if the result of the increased prices is to lower attendance, but there will be disenfranchised parents and bad feelings.
No Transfer of Educational Contingency Funds to Extracurricular Sports Budget I do not support the transfer of any educational contingency funds to extracurricular activities without a full public strategic budget discussion by the Board. In the 04-05 school budget, nearly $10 million was cut from the budget. Educational impacts need to be discussed before transferring funds to extracurricular activities.
Equity I do not support transfers to extracurricular sports activities alone. If there are any increases in the extracurricular activities, the Board needs first to look across all extracurricular activities. For example, there are no funds or staff time for this falls West High Performance needed funds for this are $11,000. How can the MMSD School Board justify adding more than $300,000 to the extracurricular sports budget and not $11,000 for the high school performance? This simply does not pass the common sense test.
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August 16, 2004
Parents Angry about Pay to Play
NPR's Talk of the Nation Audio:
What options do you have if your school says there's no money for football, the Spanish club or student government? "Pay to pay" has become the option for an increasing number of public schools, an alternative that's not very popular.
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