In The News - April 2008

2008 Hall of Fame Class Announced

Three female athletes who seized the opportunity to play high school sports after the passage of Title IX in 1972 headline the 2008 class of the National High School Hall of Fame.

Jackie Brummer, four-time state gymnastics all-around champion from Amherst (New York) Sweet Home High School in the early 1980s; Natasha Kaiser-Brown, nine-time state champion (1982-85) in track and field from Des Moines (Iowa) Theodore Roosevelt High School; and Karen Smith, two-time California state basketball player of the year in the late 1970s from Sacramento (California) Rio Americano High School, were chosen in the Athlete category, along with Tom Kropp, Nebraska prep athlete of the decade in the 1970s at Aurora (Nebraska) High School.

These four former high school standouts are among 12 individuals who will be inducted in the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National High School Hall of Fame July 7 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be the closing event of the 89th NFHS Annual Summer Meeting.

Four high school coaches with an amazing 184 combined years of experience were chosen for this prestigious honor. Coaches selected include Louise Crocco, who led Fort Lauderdale (Florida) Cardinal Gibbons High School to 18 state volleyball championships in 39 years of coaching; James Drewry, football coach at Booneville (Mississippi) High School who is No. 1 in state history in victories among public school coaches during his 48-year career; Warren Mitchell, who at 82 years of age is in his 55th year as track and field coach at Limon (Colorado) High School with 12 state championships to his credit; and the late Dewey Sullivan, the winningest football coach in Oregon prep history who won five state championships in 42 years at Dayton (Oregon) High School.

Two contest officials were selected for this year's class: Tim Carr, a registered football and basketball official since 1973 from Midvale, Utah; and Dick Deitz, a multi-sport official from McLeansboro, Illinois, with 50 years of service, including the past 32 as the state's basketball and baseball rules interpreter.

Selected in the administrator's category is Jerry McGee, longtime coach and athletic director from North Carolina who has served as executive director of the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association since 1991.

The final inductee in the fine arts category is Barbara Seng, coach/director of speech, drama and one-act play for 43 years at Henry Sibley High School and White Bear Lake High School, both in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The National High School Hall of Fame was started in 1982 by the NFHS to honor high school athletes, coaches, contest officials, administrators, fine arts coaches/directors and others for their extraordinary achievements and accomplishments in high school sports and activity programs. This year's class increases the number in the Hall of Fame to 350, and this year's event will be the 26th induction ceremony.

The 12 individuals were chosen after a two-level selection process involving a screening committee composed of active high school state association administrators, coaches and officials, and a final selection committee composed of coaches, former athletes, state association officials, media representatives and educational leaders. Nominations were made through NFHS member associations.

NASSP endorses NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching course

The Fundamentals of Coaching course, which was started in January 2007 by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) as the signature course of the NFHS Coach Education Program, has received the endorsement of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

To date, more than 16,000 Fundamentals of Coaching courses have been delivered in either online or blended formats. The first phase of the NFHS Coach Education program consists of the Fundamentals of Coaching course and the First Aid for Coaches course, a sport safety training program developed by the American Red Cross and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC).

"We are extremely pleased that the NASSP has endorsed Fundamentals of Coaching because it validates our course as being designed specifically for interscholastic teacher/coaches," said Robert F. Kanaby, NFHS executive director. "This course is designed for those teacher/coaches who work in an educational setting, which separates it from other courses.

"The NASSP is very influential in education in this country, and we are the educational leaders in interscholastic sports, so this support from the NASSP reinforces the belief that interscholastic athletics has great educational value, if done appropriately."

"Coaches are one of the great pillars in a school community, and many often further their careers by moving into the position of principal," said Gerald N. Tirozzi, NASSP executive director. "NFHS's Fundamentals of Coaching course helps lay a great foundation for the well-rounded school leader and we are pleased to offer them our endorsement."

The Fundamentals of Coaching course addresses the following subjects: educational athletics and the role of the coach, the coach as a manager, the coach as a teacher, the coach and interpersonal skills, and the coach and physical conditioning.

"The NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching course provides a unique, student-centered curriculum for interscholastic teacher-coaches, assisting them in creating a healthy and age-appropriate sport experience that supports the academic mission of the 18,845 schools from NFHS-member associations," said Tim Flannery, NFHS assistant director and director of the NFHS Coach Education Program.

"This course addresses the needs of our member state associations as an affordable, accessible and relevant educational experience," Flannery said. "It is designed to prepare interscholastic teacher/coaches for their roles in an educational setting."

Currently, 39 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the Fundamentals of Coaching course to satisfy their coaching requirements or have agreed to endorse and promote the course. Five additional states are reviewing the course for adoption, while six other states have their own programs.
The course was developed following the National Standards for Sport Coaches and the Level III guidelines established by the National Council for the Accreditation of Coaches Education (NCACE).

2008 Record Book published

The 2008 edition of the National High School Sports Record Book has been published.

As in past years, it contains records and top performances in 16 sports for boys and girls, and is a history of the top achievements of high school greats.

It includes 36 new records and new photographs from the 2006-07 school year, and more than 350 photographs altogether. More than 6,500 teams and individual record-holders are featured in this 240-page 30th edition of the Record Book.

Among the individuals who set records in 2006-07 was Kaleb Oveson, a senior receiver at Wallowa (Oregon) High School, who etched his name no fewer than seven times in the 2008 National High School Sports Record Book.

Four national records were set at the 2007 California Interscholastic Federation state track meet. Alex Kosinski of El Dorado Hills Oak Ridge High School ran a 4:38.15 time in the girls 1,600-meter run, while Tori Anthony of Palo Alto Castilleja High School became the first girl to clear 14 feet in the pole vault, going 14-1. Vashti Thomas of San Jose Mt. Pleasant High School rounded out the girls records with a :13.03 time in the 100-meter high hurdles. On the boys' side, Jeshua Anderson of Woodland Hills Taft High School skimmed the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in :35.28 to set the national standard in that event.

In girls basketball, Courtney Weibel of Hononegah (Illinois) High School fired in 471 three-point field goals during her career to set the national standard in that category.

Jimmy Stevens of Oklahoma City (Oklahoma) Heritage Hall High School booted his way to glory as he kicked 50 career field goals in 11-player football. In the state immediately to the east, Brian Langford of Little Rock (Arkansas) Pulaski Academy pulled in 138 receptions in fall 2006.

In the nine-player game, quarterback Jake Steffen of Stickney-Mount Vernon (South Dakota) High School, entered the Record Book four times. He set career marks for points (814), passing yards (2,948), pass attempts (261) and pass completions (186). In that same state, Trent DesLauriers of Clark (South Dakota) High School compiled 1,215 single-season receiving yards.

Mary Beck of Austin (Texas) Westlake High School swam to a 1:57.41 time in the girls 200-yard individual medley, while Austin Staab of Westerville (Ohio) Central High School tied the national record of :47.10 in the boys 100-yard butterfly.

Alisha Glass of Leland (Michigan) High School showed great versatility as she set three girls volleyball career records: kills (3,584), service aces (937) and blocks (680).

On the mat, Colton Palmer of Durham (North Carolina) Riverside High School set career wrestling records for victories (284) and falls (183) and single-season standards for victories (91) and falls (63).

The Record Book costs $12.95, plus shipping and handling. To order the Record Book, call toll-free 1-800-776-3462 or order it online at <www.nfhs.com>.

Rules changes announced for fall sports

By Cassie Krisher

An essential function of the NFHS is to write rules for competition in high school sports. NFHS rules books are used by officials, coaches, players and fans across the country to ensure a standardized competitive atmosphere and to minimize risk to participants.

NFHS rules committees for fall sports - volleyball, spirit, football, field hockey and soccer - have each adopted several rules changes for the 2008-09 school year.

In volleyball, all references to referee and umpire will be changed to "first referee" and "second referee," respectively. Also, the assistant scorer will now be referred to as the "libero tracker."

A change in Rule 1-6-2 will allow a team to have more than one captain present at the prematch conference, since many teams now have co-captains.

In spirit, the rules committee adopted three revisions designed to minimize risk. To increase stability during transitions, Rule 2-6-10 was revised to outline several conditions in which a flyer will be required to keep in contact with a base. If a flyer is inverted, if the flyer has only one base, or if the flyer and bracer do not both have spotters, then the flyer must maintain contact with a base.

Also, Rule 2-9-1a legalizes a forward suspended roll from the performing surface if "the flyer begins from the performing surface or from a stunt at shoulder height or below."

In football, 17 total revisions were made. Rules 2-16-2e and 10-2-4 will now state that a team must foul twice during the same down to commit multiple fouls.

The committee made an addition to Rule 3-3-4 to resolve penalty issues at the end of the half for unsportsmanlike fouls, non-player fouls, fouls that specify a loss of down and fouls that are enforced on the subsequent kickoff as outlined in Rule 8-2-2. That rule now states that fouls by the opponents of the scoring team on the last timed down of the first half can carry over to the second half, but fouls on the last timed down of the second half cannot carry over into overtime.

A similar rule revision removed the option of carrying over unused time-outs from the second half into overtime. Also, hip pads, knee pads and thigh guards must not be altered from the manufacturer's original design.

In field hockey, the rules committee adopted 18 rules changes. Effective in 2011, the home team must wear a solid white uniform top, and the visiting team must wear a single solid black or single dark-colored uniform top. The committee also specified uniform revisions concerning the position of the team name, decorative accents and side inserts.

To reduce the risk of injury, Rule 1-7-3d was revised to allow the goalkeeper to use a stick, protective equipment or any part of the body while on the ground in order to move the ball away. Rule 8-1-1o was revised to state that a goalkeeper can be penalized for "striking and/or kicking in an intimidating manner, playing the ball without a stick in her hand, or placing the ball after a hand stop of an aerial ball."

Also, effective January 1, 2009, a player's stick must meet the following requirements: must not exceed a bow of 25 mm, must not weigh more than 23 ounces and must pass through a two-inch ring.
The Soccer Rules Committee adopted three changes for the 2008-09 season. When a player is illegally equipped, the coach will receive the first caution (yellow card), and the player will receive all subsequent cautions. The committee also added definitions for "illegally equipped" and "improperly equipped." An illegally equipped player is one who is not wearing required equipment or is wearing an item not allowed by rule. An improperly equipped player is one who is wearing legal equipment improperly or that becomes illegal during play. Cautions are not issued for being improperly equipped.

In addition, shinguards must meet the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment standard in order to minimize risk. Also, a change to Rule 1-1-1 now recommends that fields be 100 to 120 yards long and 55 to 80 yards wide.

For a complete list of the rules changes in these sports for the 2008-09 season, please visit the NFHS Web site at <www.nfhs.org>.

NFHS Citizenship Committee addresses topic of energy drinks

By Cassie Krisher

Sportsmanship and highly caffeinated beverages were the main topics of discussion at the annual NFHS Citizenship Committee meeting January 26-28 at the Indianapolis Downtown Hilton.

The committee assists member associations by providing resources about the importance of producing good citizens through education-based athletics and activities. Its mission is to "provide lifelong learning opportunities for participants to become citizens who provide positive contributions to their schools, workplaces and society."

"Sportsmanship, unfortunately, we feel is on the decline," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of educational services and liaison to the NFHS Citizenship Committee. "Television and bad role models present bad images that young people think are OK."

Guest speaker Dr. Kevin Ringhofer of the Minnesota Institute of Public Health focused his presentation on the dangers of highly caffeinated beverages. Ringhofer has helped the committee in the past with issues such as alcohol education and smoking cessation.

Hopkins said energy drinks are "not good for young bodies" and can have harmful long-term effects. In addition, the topic is one that crosses over because it's not just athletes who are drinking them, but also students involved in activities such as fine arts and debate.

This year, committee members gathered recent studies to update information showing the positive effects that high school activities have on young people because much of the research is outdated.

Also, the committee made plans to develop an educational sportsmanship video that will help administrators, coaches, officials and parents talk to high school students about proper sportsmanship conduct.

The committee currently provides sportsmanship cards for officials to use in enforcing good behavior in competition, and it also offers Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity certificates for state associations to recognize individuals who have been effective in promoting sportsmanship.

Past topics at the annual committee meeting have included hazing, tobacco and alcohol use, and sexual orientation issues as they relate to high school athletics.

"We try to identify issues that are on the horizon," Hopkins said. "We address issues that are at times nontraditional, but there are students and administrators dealing with those issues, so we provide resources for them for additional help."

Hall of Fame member Smiddy receives Morgan Wootten Award

By Cassie Krisher

National High School Hall of Fame member Jim Smiddy, who ranks second in the National High School Sports Record Book for most all-time girls basketball victories, has been named the recipient of the Morgan Wootten Award.

Smiddy, who won 1,217 games during his coaching career from 1948 to 1993, coached at Charleston (Tennessee) High School and Cleveland (Tennessee) Bradley Central High School.

He led the Bradley Central Bearettes to Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) state championships in 1962, 1970, 1973, 1975 and 1976. His teams also won national championships in 1975 and 1976, during which time they went undefeated and compiled a 90-game winning streak. Smiddy's teams also won 24 district, 17 regional and 14 sub-state titles.

Smiddy is the second recipient of the Morgan Wootten Award given annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The award honors lifetime achievement in making significant contributions to coaching high school basketball. His widow, Gloria, will accept the award at the 2008 McDonald's All American Games on behalf of the late Smiddy, who died in 1995.

Smiddy was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame in 1992. He also is a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and the TSSAA Hall of Fame.

Cassie Krisher is a spring semester intern in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department. She is a senior at Butler (Indiana) University, majoring in journalism and media arts.