Tom Haley already wrote a piece summarizing what was presented to us at the Vermont Principal's Association Media Day last Thursday, but here are some more random bits and pieces from the two-hour meeting in Montpelier:
1. CVU has surpassed Essex as the state's biggest high school.
2. There is a discussion about adding a fourth division for track and field. If anyone hasn't noticed, the D-III state meet is huge, and there is a similarly huge difference between the Windsors of the world and the small schools that can't field a full team but still have plenty of talent. Track is a sport that welcomes athletes of all sizes and abilities, and I would love to see a D-IV for the smallest of the small schools. There was also talk about creating a 1-A 2-A system for Division I football, again because of a regular talent gap. This caused some "Oh please"'s and "Let's not go there"'s. Naturally.
3. The new field hockey eyewear rule and the concussion education state law have garnered much negativity, yet I can't for the life of me figure out why, when you get right down to it. Let's protect kids' faces and heads. Why is this a problem? Yes, it's expensive to outfit a whole field hockey team with protective eyewear at $40 per player. I understand budgets are tight - and already set, leaving an uncomfortable discussion about how to pay for goggles - but we're talking about a kids' face here. Not an arm or a leg you can hide - it's their face. Many feel it will impact the game - it creates a "blind spot" for athletes, making them want to lower their heads to see below the goggles which places them in a very perilous position.
And the concussion education state law (Act 58) requires all school-sponsored athletes and parents to fill out paperwork that says they were given information about concussions. It does not apply to recreation leagues like BYSA but it does apply to elementary and middle schools - which very rarely have athletic directors to help coordinate the effort. It was brought up that this law may lead to less volunteerism because now the onus is on the coach - often a parent - or some may deem the effort too much. I asked what the penalty would be for not submitting the required paperwork - would there be a pile of athletes not eligible because mommy and daddy didn't sign a piece of paper? But on the other hand, concussions are serious business and need to be treated seriously. I think the law should include youth sports. Who cares if it means more work - it means kids are safe. Who's going to argue against that?
4. Did you know there are over 4500 coaches in the Vermont state school system? NOT counting the youth programs? I know there are a lot, but man, 4500?
5. Ah yes, my favorite: the sportsmanship talk. And so little of it involved the student-athletes. It's the parents we spent most of our time talking about. I'll leave it at that.
6. There is still no word on whether Stowe will field a girls basketball program this winter. The Raiders are on some schedules, but the VPA has not heard yay or nay yet. Same with Burlington girls hockey, and the boys team is also on the fence, which would create an interesting seven-team tournament this winter. Sharon Academy has dropped boys and girls lacrosse while Stowe will add boys and girls lacrosse. The Oxbow boys team is still a club team but I imagine the Olympians will become a varsity program in the near future. There will be no Cabot girls soccer team, but those still interested in playing may play at Danville.
The co=op and member-to-member programs have changed in one major way: those athletes from the sending school used to have to play at the lowest level offered - usually JV - so as to not displace a student-athlete at his or her home school. Now, it will be a local decision. (Teams that make cuts are not allowed to accept students from other schools, and sending schools can only choose one school to send their athletes to.)
7. Out-of-season coaching was also changed to a much simpler policy: You cannot coach your team outside of the season while school is in session. Summer recess is another thing - that time period from the last day of school to 10 days prior to the start of the fall season - is allowed. Volunteers and coaches paid $1 contracts (yes, it happens) are not included and can coach at any time. The exception is a coach who coaches his or her own child - they can do that every day of the year if they want.
My question: What does this do to varsity coaches who coach AAU and other club teams that may also include their own athletes?
-Anna Grearson
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