MSHSL Spring 2017 Bulletin

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Volume 86, Issue 3 • Spring 2017

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THE BULLETIN Official Publication of the Minnesota State High School League 2100 Freeway Boulevard Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-1735 763-560-2262 www.MSHSL.org Information within this Bulletin may be reprinted only with the permission of the MSHSL Volume 86, Issue 3 Spring 2017 EDITORIAL STAFF Editor: Tim Leighton Graphic Designer: Tracie Bressler Contributing Editors: David Stead Jason Nickelby Kevin Merkle John Millea Lisa Lissimore Rich Matter Craig Perry Chris Franson Jody Redman Amy Doherty Ellen Rajkowski BOARD OF DIRECTORS Regions 1-2A Dave Swanberg, LeSueur-Henderson Regions 3-4A Rob Carpentier, Cristo Rey Jesuit Regions 5-6A Emmett Keenan, St. Cloud Cathedral Regions 7-8A Chad Stoskopf, Esko Regions 1-2AA Tom Graupmann, Northfield Regions 3-4AA Troy Urdahl, St. Anthony Village Regions 5-6AA Brian Hegseth, Centennial Regions 7-8AA Eric Lehtola, Andover State School Boards Association Betsy Anderson, Hopkins Deborah Pauly, Jordan MN Association of Secondary Principals Wade Johnson, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Kristen DeClerk Thompson, Buffalo Boys Sports Craig Anderson, Pine Island Girls Sports Jill Johnson, Waconia MN Music Educators Association Eric Christenson, Shakopee Speech Association of MN Bonnie Spohn Schmaltz, Eden Valley-Watkins Governor's Appointees Steven Beals, Montevideo Kris Amundson, St. Paul Paul McDonald, Ely Joel Boyd, Eden Prairie Printed by Carlson Print Group 7490 Golden Triangle Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 The MSHSL Bulletin is published in Fall, Winter and Spring and is designed to meet the needs of the 525 member schools Cover design by David Swanson, Carlson Print Group Photographs by Minnesota Prep Photo

League Office Personnel

When calling the League Office (763-560-2262), direct your requests to staff persons as designated:

The Minnesota State High School League Office has been established to provide special services to the member schools.

Listed below are the office personnel:

Accounts Payable ................................................................. Jackie Grausam Accounts Receivable............................................................... Yvonne Walsh Activity / Late Registrations .................................................Chris Franson Activity Section Assignments ...............................................Chris Franson Administrative Regions.............................................................. Dave Stead Anyone Can Save A Life (EAP) ................................................Jody Redman Archive Information ............................................................ Ellen Rajkowski Athletic / Activity Director Advisory Committee ..............Kevin Merkle Board of Directors Information................................................ Dave Stead Camps and Clinics .........................................................................Craig Perry Charter Officials Associations ................................................Kevin Merkle Chemical Rule Interpretations ..................................................Craig Perry Continiung Education Requirement (CER) .........................Jody Redman Cooperative Sponsorship .................................................... Lynne Johnson Debate, Speech, One Act Play & Music Judges.................Chris Franson Registration of Debate, Speech, One Act Play & Music Judges ...... Melody Michelson Education Outreach .................................................................Jody Redman ExCEL Program ......................................................................... Lisa Lissimore Fine Arts Rules Interp. (Debate, Speech & Music).................Chris Franson Fine Arts Rules Interp. (One Act & Visual Arts)......................Chris Franson Gender Equity ............................................................................... Dave Stead General Information on MSHSL ............................................... Dave Stead Hall of Fame................................................... Lisa Lissimore / Tim Leighton Insurance....................................................................................... Rich Matter Interstate Sanctions.................................................................... Dave Stead League Publications ................................................................ Tim Leighton Marketing and Promotions .................................................. Lisa Lissimore Membership Information ................................................... Lynne Johnson News Media Services............................................................... Tim Leighton Non-School Competition ............................................................Craig Perry Office Management.....................................................................Kristi Vesall Officials Program....................................................................Jason Nickleby Registration of Officials...............................................................Mary Heiss Results and Records ............................................................ Ellen Rajkowski Rulebooks, Supplies, Awards............................................... Yvonne Walsh Rules Interpretation Meetings..................................................Mary Heiss School Eligibility............................................................................Craig Perry Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.....................................Craig Perry Spotlight on Scholarship Program..................................... Lisa Lissimore Student Ejections ............................................................ Melody Michelson Student Eligibility .........................................................................Craig Perry Supplemental Allowances.........................................................Kristi Vesall Ticket Assistant.......................................................................... Nancy Myers Triple “A” Award ........................................................................Jody Redman Web Site Development...........................................................Chris Franson WHY WE PLAY ............................................................................Jody Redman

Extension / Voice Mailbox Executive Director - David Stead................................................480 Executive Assistant - Lynne Johnson ....................................490 Associate Director - Jody Redman .............................................481 Administrative Assistant - Amie Ince ...................................491 Associate Director - Kevin Merkle..............................................484 Administrative Assistant - Amanda Johnson ......................494 Administrative Assitant: Officials - Mary Heiss ...................496 Associate Director - Craig Perry..................................................482 Administrative Assistant - Susi Hollenbeck .........................492 Associate Director - Lisa Lissimore ............................................483 Administrative Assistant - Sheila Robinson ........................493 Communications Coordinator - Tim Leighton ........................485 Assistant Director - Richard Matter ..........................................497 Accounting Assistant - Jackie Grausam................................541 Ticketing Assistant - Nancy Myers ........................................487 Assistant Director - Chris Franson .............................................488 Graphic Designer - Tracie Bressler .........................................552 Coordinator of Officials - Jason Nickleby .................................551 Media Specialist - John Millea....................................................554 Program Specialist - Amy Doherty ............................................495 Information Specialist - Ellen Rajkowski ................................542 Office Manager - Kristi Vesall......................................................489 Administrative Assistant - Yvonne Walsh.............................486 Receptionist - Melody Michelson ..........................................540

Coach Incidents Reports and Activity Advisory Committees

The MSHSL Logo is a registered mark of the organization and use in any manner is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the League.

Schedule of Board of Directors Meetings October 6 ...........MSHSL Office, Brooklyn Center December 1.......MSHSL Office, Brooklyn Center February 2 .........MSHSL Office, Brooklyn Center April 6 .................MSHSL Office, Brooklyn Center June 5 .................MSHSL Office, Brooklyn Center

Representative Assembly Meetings January 26...... DoubleTree Minneapolis North May 15 ............. DoubleTree Minneapolis North

Adapted Athletics (Bowling, Floor Hockey, Soccer, Softball) ...... Rich Matter Alpine Skiing / Boys’ & Girls’ .................................................... Rich Matter Badminton / Girls’ ................................................................... Lisa Lissimore Baseball .......................................................................................Kevin Merkle Basketball / Boys’......................................................................Kevin Merkle Basketball / Girls’ .................................................................... Lisa Lissimore Cheerleading .............................................................................Jody Redman Clay Target.......................................................................................Craig Perry Cross Country Running / Boys’ & Girls’ .............................. Lisa Lissimore Dance Team / Girls’ ...................................................................Kevin Merkle Debate.........................................................................................Chris Franson Football........................................................................................Kevin Merkle Golf / Boys’ & Girls’ .................................................................Jason Nickelby Gymnastics / Girls’.................................................................... Amy Doherty Ice Hockey / Boys’ & Girls’............................................................Craig Perry Lacrosse / Boys' & Girls’ ............................................................. Rich Matter Music............................................................................................Chris Franson Nordic Ski Racing / Boys’ & Girls’............................................. Rich Matter One Act Play...............................................................................Chris Franson Robotics ...................................................................................... Amy Doherty Soccer / Boys’ & Girls’............................................................... Amy Doherty Softball / Girls’ ......................................................................... Lisa Lissimore Speech .........................................................................................Chris Franson Swimming and Diving / Boys’ & Girls’ ............................... Lisa Lissimore Synchronized Swimming / Girls’ ......................................... Lisa Lissimore Tennis / Boys’ & Girls’ ...................................................................Craig Perry Track & Field / Boys’ & Girls’ ..................................................Jody Redman Visual Arts ..................................................................................Chris Franson Volleyball / Girls’ ......................................................................Jody Redman Wrestling .........................................................................................Craig Perry

DAVE’S DIALOGUE

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What's the Key?

NEWS & FEATURES

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Maijala, Olson, Peterson and Wilson Win 2017 Triple "A" Awards Giving Wherever Help is Needed 2017 ExCEL Winners

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Moose Lake's Danny Lilya Selected NFHS Spirit of Sport Award Recipient Benilde-St.Margaret's Senior Josie Ross Selected Heart of the Arts National Award Recipient Hardwired to Connect Understanding Good Standing: A Look at Student Eligibility COVER STORY A Salute to Service: Joe Kordosky and Neil Fletcher Deliver Decades of Dedication to Students

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VOICES: We Asked, You Answered

ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

29 30

Extreme Care Required for On-site Head, Neck Injuries

17

Thank You and "Lead On"

OFFICIALS

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Officials Awards 2017 From the Sideline: Houston, we don't have a problem!

IN EVERY ISSUE

36 42 44 44

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Communications Corner: Bialka, Olson Recipients of MSHSL's Outstanding Media Service Award Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 2017 Calendar of State Events Spring 2017 Calendar of Meetings 4

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DAVE’S DIALOGUE

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

WHAT'S THE KEY? W

hen asked if there was a key to his company’s success, Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inns, quickly responded, “I believe, to be successful, that you have to work a least half a day—it doesn’t make any difference which half, the first twelve hours or the last twelve.”

That same principle drove Althea Gibson to become a tennis star. In her book, I Always Wanted To Be Somebody, Gibson speaks of the road she traveled to athletic success: “I was determined that I was going to be somebody too—if it killed me.” Hard work landed her a place in tennis history.

And, President Calvin Coolidge, never a man to waste words, said there was one main ingredient needed in our lives to ensure success. What is it? Perseverance.

Perseverance was on display at the Triple "A" Luncheon held at the Loews Hotel in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 25, 2017 as 32 outstanding high school seniors from throughout Minnesota were honored for their active involvement in Academics, Arts and Athletics.

I Gave Everything

By Tom Graupmann, President Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors It’s a tremendous honor for me to address you today. I’m the Activities Director at Northfield High School, and I’ve had the pleasure to serve as the Board President during the 2016-2017 school year.

On behalf of my Board colleagues, and the more than 500 member schools of the League, I offer our sincere THANK YOU for your incredibly active involvement in your school and your school community. Your legacy, as evidenced through your leadership and role modeling, has left an indelible mark.

You’ll be graduating soon. And, if you haven’t done it yet, be sure to thank the teachers who have corrected your papers and

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By Dave Stead, Executive Director

As shared by Wilson, Gibson and Coolidge cited earlier, the 32 honorees represented thousands of their Minnesota peers who have worked more than half a day; were determined to be successful; persevered and were recognized for their school, community and personal success.

Tom Graupmann, President of the MSHSL Board of Directors, shared comments from the essay each student wrote that personalized the life lessons learned through their active involvement in school and League-sponsored initiatives.

written recommendations for you. Thank the coaches who taught you the fundamentals of sport and provided invaluable life lessons.

And, thank the directors who have infused you with the juices of creativity.

But most of all, give your parents a BIG hug and thank them for the countless hours they’ve nurtured, supported, and cheered for you. Their commitment has been, and will continue to be, unending.

Parents and Guests, thank you for your presence here today. I can feel your selflessness and unconditional love for each honoree you’re here to support.

I also want to thank the amazing MSHSL staff and our dedicated Board members for your remarkable work, for your commitment to our member schools and students, and for the educational opportunities and initiatives that have been supported, promoted, and shepherded. That’s Why We Play; Why We Lead!

For the next few minutes, I’d like to share some thoughts from the essay portion of each Triple "A" honoree’s application. My comments are taken from the essay portion each student shared about how their participation in the Arts, Athletics, and Academics has promoted their growth and developed them as a person.

Their comments are truly amazing!

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

"This football season I had the opportunity to meet a new friend. His name is Rory and he has Down Syndrome. Rory first approached me after a football game wanting to take a picture with me. In the weeks that followed, Rory soon became part of our Storm family. My senior football teammates and I attended a birthday party for Rory; that was a great experience. Winning games is great, but the best things that come from athletics are the small things you do that impact the communities and new friends that support you all year."

"Being in sports and the arts have given me opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. I feel that these experiences have helped me learn to make friends, stay active, develop social skills, manage my time wisely, work and collaborate with others and deal with failure and success."

"Triple "A" had a unique influence on my high school career. Triple "A" taught me that a little bit of hard work and dedication can go a long way."

"Sports have allowed me to be a role model to younger children and discover that there is more to life than just sports. You can be a great athlete, but none of that matters if you aren’t humble, kind, respectful, and a good sport."

"In my junior year, I had the opportunity to peer tutor a freshman. Every Tuesday morning, we would meet to go over homework assignments and study for tests. I never heard him say thank you, nor did I receive a trophy for my efforts. Yet, because he matters as a person, it was worth it to see his improvement. This experience opened my eyes to how many times I had been the recipient of unconditional support."

"I have been involved in activities so long that I have seen many of my elders pass through, and I have taken what they did positively and applied it myself. I have also been able to influence the younger generation by showing them that it is possible to pursue all of ones’ interests."

"The biggest skill I have learned in high school has been leadership. This skill development started in sports, but it has carried over into school.

I have been a captain of two teams and earned the nickname, “Mom” because I try and take care of all my teammates!" (FYI. This is one of our male Triple "A" winners!)

"Triple "A" has pushed me to always be the best version of myself in every aspect of my life by continuing to build on my foundations."

"I have experienced success and failure, learned from my mistakes and how to improve, and have seen the value of hard work and dedication by my participation in all three plus being involved in FCCLS, FFA, and 4-H." "I have been very successful individually in athletics, especially softball.

However, what meant the most to me are the relationships and experiences I have gained from being part of a team. Our softball team was the runner up in our section last year, and our team goal of making the State Tournament this year is much more important to me than individual pursuits."

"Another benefit of extracurricular involvement has been the opportunities I have had to interact with diverse groups of people. With each activity, I get to meet someone new and am therefore exposed to different ideas, backgrounds, experiences and personalities. Being around so many different people has helped me to be more accepting and appreciative of the quirky differences we all have that make each of us unique."

"Being in athletics and arts taught me what dedication and commitment meant. I learned how to follow through on commitments in my life with friends, work, and school."

www.MSHSL.org

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DAVE’S DIALOGUE

"Music has always been something that calms me and makes me feel at home. This started from my mom; she was a kindergarten teacher and using songs to help remember things was a part of my daily life growing up. I don’t think I would remember my address to this day if it were not for the tune that went with it."

"Sports, music, and schoolwork are guaranteed to make you fail, but they also give you the opportunity to overcome adversity at a young age. Every success is a result of many failures. I will succeed in life because arts, athletics, and academics have equipped me to fail and have taught me how to turn that failure into success."

"I have learned valuable life-lessons in time management, leadership, confidence, and dedication. Balancing my life along with my involvement in extra-curricular activities, my part-time job, 4H, FFA, church, and my academics have not been easy, but I have learned how to prioritize and efficiently manage my time."

"The arts have helped me to express the person I am. Through speech and theatre, I’ve not only conquered my fear of speaking in front of people, but fully embraced the concept. The endless musical opportunities have stretched my brain and creativity to new limits."

"The journey to a goal provides more growth than the completion. I have gained perseverance and communication skills and have become a charismatic, servant leader."

"Looking back at my freshman year, I am now better at communication, particularly in the ability to ask for help as well as helping others."

"Many of my personal qualities are a result of my involvement in Triple "A". The most prominent example is my hard-work ethic. Succeeding in all my different activities requires substantial effort and dedication and as a result giving 100% effort in everything I do is an expectation that I have and hold myself to."

"So often kids are encouraged to specialize in one area at a very young age, but I have always valued being well rounded and am grateful for the countless opportunities I’ve had to be involved in many different activities."

"Sports, music, and academics have enforced the hard-working mentality that will get me past any barrier I may face in life. Striking out, yet embracing the next at bat is symbolic of the daily challenges everyone faces in life, and through these daily challenges I have learned to be resilient. Not every test is perfect; not every high note is hit; but a consistent positive mentality will inevitably lead to success."

"What I have found so valuable about being a part of a team, band, and school is that by working together everyone can help everybody else improve. Others hold you accountable and support you, and you have fun helping them do their best. I have grown to see that teamwork is the ultimate friend."

"Through high school activities I’ve gained great relationships, and even greater memories. In many ways, my extreme involvement has molded me into a very compatible, honest, and responsible person."

"I have learned the importance of positively influencing those around you—being a leader. I believe that leadership becomes most exciting when you not only strive to reach your own potential, but aid those around you to do the same."

"I have been very fortunate to have a football coach who encompasses what it means to be a total student-athlete. Coach always sends congratulatory notes when I make the honor roll. He has also let me participate in our half-time field shows. It was empowering for me to throw my drum set over my football pads and help break that barrier of “jock versus band nerd.” Why can’t a person be both?"

Continued on page 4

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN Minnesota Prep Photo / www.MNPrepPhoto.com

NEWS & FEATURES

Continued from page 3 "Intense competition has been fun for me because it has allowed me to increase my dedication to short term goals. While participating in band, drawing, and ceramics, I love the relaxing mood of creativity."

"Mostly I have enjoyed helping my teammates improve their technique and then sharing the thrill of improved race results with them. I have taken rigorous classes during high school. In these classes I have learned that helping my peers with their studies has actually helped me become a better learner."

"As my involvement in various extra-curriculars increased I began to realize that I had much more potential than I knew at that time. On days when the orchestra teacher is absent, I will conduct from my seat or the podium in order to lead the rehearsal.

In front of audiences I can present myself fluently and precisely while I delegate and organize my peers in order to accomplish a difficult task."

"I have benefitted in the arts and athletics by having leaders and directors that were true “teachers.” These individuals who led and molded me have all had very different approaches; some gruff, some softer, some better at listening and some better at issuing commands. Whether performing on a stage or on a football field these coaches have instilled in me the importance of balancing my competitive approach to “winning” with a healthy dose of humility and empathy—not only for teammates, but for players and coaches and performers on the other side of the stands."

"One of the greatest lessons I have learned through my education and in participating in various activities is that greatness and full potential can only be attained when an individual is challenged. Because my coaches, teachers, and music directors constantly pushed me to be better, and because of expectations and challenges I set for myself, I have come to appreciate this."

"I understand what it means to be selfless, to forego individual achievements in support of team goals. Playing three sports has taught me responsibility and the need to be self-disciplined. I walk away from high school athletics knowing I gave everything I had to myself, my teammates and my coaches and what they’ve given to me in return can never be repaid."

Wow! That’s really good stuff!

Forgive me for a brief aside and a personal note. Early Friday morning on March 10th, I had some time to work on my remarks for this luncheon, and I was highlighting the comments I wanted to share with you from the Nomination forms. The very last form I highlighted that morning was from Nick Zwack, Region 8AA. As I mentioned earlier, I’m the Activities Director at Northfield High School. Later that same morning our Northfield boys’ hockey team was playing in the state tournament semi-final vs. Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake. With 2.4 seconds left in the third period of the game, Nick Zwack scored the winning goal that put his Moose team into the Class A State Championship game.

Although I didn’t love the way our game ended, I fully embrace the words Nick wrote because they encapsulate each of the 32 honorees we celebrate today. “I gave everything I had to myself, my teammates and my coaches and what they’ve given to me in return can never be repaid.”

Thank you Triple "A" honorees, and congratulations on your incredible accomplishments.

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The Triple “A” Award recipients, from left, Eric Wilson of Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Cloquet’s Anja Maijala, Underwood’s Carter Peterson, and Kiera Olson of Fillmore Central, were honored March 25th during the boys' basketball state tournament.

MAIJALA, OLSON, PETERSON AND WILSON WIN 2017 TRIPLE “A” AWARDS A

nja Maijala of Cloquet High School, Kiera Olson of Fillmore Central High School, Carter Peterson of Underwood High School and Eric Wilson of Benilde-St. Margaret’s were awarded the Minnesota State High School League’s Academic, Arts, and Athletics Awards on March 25, during a ceremony at the Loews Hotel in Minneapolis.

Established in 1988, the award, popularly known as the Triple “A” Award, recognizes and rewards high school seniors from across Minnesota for their achievements in the classroom, the arts, and athletics. To qualify for the award, students must have a “B” or better grade point average and participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities. League member schools are invited to nominate two students—a boy and a girl—for the award.

Award recipients are selected through a multi-level process involving the League’s administrative regions and a committee of athletic, fine arts and educational leaders. One girl and one boy from Class A schools and one girl and one boy from Class AA schools receive a four-year, $1,000 scholarship. Following are the brief profiles of the 2017 Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award winners, plus all of the finalists—all of whom share their thoughts on participating in high school activities. www.MSHSL.org

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN Anja Maijala Cloquet High School GPA: 4.05 Region 7AA Choir, one act play, cross country, Nordic skiing, track and field Anja has filled her academic schedule with several College in the Schools classes. Within the arts, she sings in the choir and has earned a superior rating for solo choir performance, as well as participating in one act play. Anja says she can’t imagine her life without athletics, and she pours her energy into running and skiing. Anja is a 2017 State Nordic Skiing champion. In previous appearances at the State Nordic Skiing meet, she has placed third and sixth, earning annual all-state awards for her efforts. Anja has raced in the State Cross Country meet the past four years and at the State Track and Field meet twice. She has earned numerous all conference honors in all three sports.

An English teacher describes Anja as hard working, respectful and dedicated.

“There’s no doubt that doing this many activities is challenging, but it has taught me to manage my time—and helped me realize how precious time is. Going from one activity to the other I definitely live life in the fast lane, but as much as it might be overwhelming, I’ve learned to find value in each activity.”

College plans: To study environmental studies, sing in an a capella group, and compete in cross country and Nordic skiing Kiera Olson Fillmore Central High School GPA: 4.0 Region 1A Band, choir, one act play, speech, visual arts, cross country, basketball, track and field In the fine arts, Kiera has earned numerous Best of Site awards and superior ratings for her solo band and solo choir performances and for visual arts. She is also member of the All State Band.

She participates in speech and has taken part in the state One Act Play festival. Kiera is a three-time participant in the State Cross Country meet, finishing as high as ninth place, and she was named all-conference twice. She has also competed in the State Track and Field meet twice, earning two all-state and four all-conference honors in track and field. In past years, she has played basketball, too. Academically, Kiera has taken numerous College in the Schools classes. A teacher and advisor notes that Kiera has grown into an impressive leader and outstanding young adult who is approachable, dedicated and above all, a kind person.

“Involvement in academics, athletics, and the arts has caused me to grow exponentially as a person. Having sundry activities in which to participate has helped to mold me into a well-rounded individual. Each category has impacted me in a different way, helped me to grow into a balanced person, and indisputably prepared me for the future.”

College plans: To study chemical engineering at Dartmouth, and participate in cross country, track and field, and theater Carter Peterson Underwood High School GPA: 4.11 Region 6A Band, choir, speech, football, basketball, track and field, clay target A member of the speech team since seventh grade, Carter is a two-time participant in the State Speech tournament, earning fifth- and seventh-place honors. He is also a talented musician who has received three Best of Site awards for solo choir and one Best of Site honor for solo band performance, along with multiple superior ratings. Carter is an accomplished athlete, playing in the State Football tournament on three occasions—with Underwood earning the runner-up trophy for two of those appearances. He plays basketball and competes in track and field along with Clay Target. His principal calls Carter a remarkable individual, and a young man who is personable, professional, compassionate and understanding. www.MSHSL.org

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NEWS & FEATURES

“High academic standards have placed me in a ready position for my future both in college and beyond. I have learned the benefits of being organized, proactive, and prepared for any task that may appear. Challenging high school courses coupled with multiple college level classes, has forced me to learn to manage my time more efficiently than I would’ve otherwise.”

College plans: To attend North Dakota State University to study agriculture and biosystems engineering; participate in marching band, pep band and choir; and play intramural sports Eric Wilson Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School GPA: 4.0 Region 6AA Band, choir, football, basketball, track and field, baseball A coach states that Eric is an outstanding student, but more importantly, he is an outstanding person—not only a fine example to his teammates but to the entire Benilde-St. Margaret community. Eric is an all-state and all-conference football player who appeared in two State Football tournaments and won a Class 4A championship. He has also earned all-conference honors and competed at the State Track and Field meet in discus and shot put. Previously, he played basketball and baseball. Eric is a member of the band and choir, earning a superior rating for solo choir performance. A National Merit Commended Scholar, Eric has completed a variety of Advanced Placement classes.

“I have benefited in the arts and athletics by having leaders and directors that were true ‘teachers.’ These individuals who led and molded me have all had very different approaches … Whether performing on a stage or on a football field, however, these coaches have instilled in me the importance of balancing my competitive approach to ‘winning’ with a healthy dose of humility and empathy—not only for my teammates, but for players and coaches and performers on the other side of the stands.”

College plans: To attend Harvard University to study biology/ pre-medicine, play football, and possibly participate in an a cappella singing group Bryant Gernes Cotter High School GPA: 3.98 Region 1A Choir, soccer, basketball, track and field “My participation in athletics has taught me how to be a leader and to never pass up an opportunity when it presents itself. The leadership has come more through actions than words as I have continued to work and help others on and off the field. Learning to not pass on opportunities has made me more willing to try things and be more helpful when others need me.”

College plans: To attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, study civil and environmental engineering, and participate in soccer and choir Liana Blomgren Mountain Lake High School GPA: 4.0 Region 2A Band, choir, one act play, speech, cross country, basketball, track and field, clay target “Growing up with both of my parents employed as teachers, I have been taught from an early age the value of education and the importance of taking full advantage of quality schooling. My parents fueled my love of learning and hunger for knowledge throughout elementary school and continued to do so in high school when I chose to take advanced math classes and PSEO courses to further my education and better prepare myself for my future.”

College plans: To study pre-physical therapy, and participate in choir or track and field at the College of St. Scholastica or St. Catherine University Continued on page 7 5

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2017 Academics, Arts & Athletics Award Finalists REGION 3A

REGION 4A

REGION 5A

REGION 6A

REGION 2A

REGION 7A

REGION 1A

REGION 8A

Gabrielle Gervais Liana Blomgren Kiera Olson

Kari Preus

Kacy Broschofsky

West Lutheran

Pierz

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton

Midori Soderberg Morris Area

Mountain Lake

Ally Bode Moose Lake

Fillmore Central

Elizabeth Birkemeyer Ada-Borup

Sam Lee Mason Whitehead Nova Classical Academy Noah Decker Bryant Gernes

T. J. Johnson Hinckley-Finlayson

Murray County Central

Carter Peterson Underwood

Maple River

Caleb Curtiss Aitkin

Cotter

REGION 1AA

REGION 8AA REGION 2AA

REGION 7AA REGION 3AA

Harmony Zweber-Langer Lakeville South

REGION 4AA

REGION 5AA

REGION 6AA

Anna Norgard Lauren Smith

Anja Maijala

Mankato West

Cloquet

Lauren Markowski Eagan

Amanda Mosborg Kaia Porter

Alyssa Wicks

Roseville Area

Anoka

Nick Zwack Nathan Weckwerth

Michael Sullivan

Dassel-Cokato

Hibbing

Chun-Kit Chow Burnsville

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Fergus Falls

Edina

Trenton Brown Austin

Isaac Mills Stephen-Argyle Central

Eric Wilson Douglas Shield

Samuel Skoglund

White Bear Lake Area

Anoka

Monticello

Benilde-St. Margaret's School

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN Continued from page 5 Noah Decker Maple River High School GPA: 3.97 Region 2A Band, football, wrestling, track and field “Academics, arts, and athletics have always been important to me.

Because of my involvement in all three, I have learned to manage my time well. Not only have I learned about time management, many other life skills have been taught to me by my teachers, directors, and coaches.”

College plans: To major in physics and play football at Gustavus Adolphus College Gabrielle Gervais Tracy-Milroy-Balaton High School GPA: 4.0 Region 3A Band, choir, volleyball, basketball, track and field “I have lost big games, received low scores, and played incorrect notes. After every failure comes thoughts about how I could have changed the outcome: taking one more shot in practice, staying up ten more minutes to review for a test, or practicing a song one more time. … I will succeed in life because arts, athletics, and academics have equipped me to fail and have taught me how to turn that failure into success.”

College plans: To study human biology/pre-medicine at South Dakota State University or the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and possibly continue playing volleyball

NEWS & FEATURES

Kacy Broschofsky Pierz High School GPA: 4.0 Region 5A Band, choir, speech, volleyball, basketball, track and field “My involvements in the arts, athletics, and academics have all taught me lessons and made me into the person I am today. I have learned how to manage my time, prioritize my tasks, and achieve goals I have set. I am able to bring these skills into other areas of my life and build my character.”

College plans: To study education at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, while participating in clubs and intramural sports T.J. Johnson Hinckley-Finlayson High School GPA: 4.15 Region 5A Band, robotics, football, basketball, baseball “Sports have allowed me to be a role model to younger children and discover that there is more to life than just sports. You can be a great athlete, but none of that matters if you aren’t humble, kind, respectful and a good sport. I would rather children see me as a role model who is always positive and smiles no matter what the outcome of the game may be. I also want them to know how important it is to be well-rounded and get involved.”

College plans: To attend Concordia University (St. Paul), study pre-engineering, play baseball and in the jazz band, and possibly also participate in football

Mason Whitehead Murray County Central High School GPA: 4.0 Region 3A Band, choir, speech, football, basketball, track and field “My involvement in the arts, athletics, and academics has made an enormous impact on the type of person I have become. I have been involved so long that I have seen many of my elders pass through and I have taken what they did positively and applied it to myself, adding years of experience to my skill set. I have also been able to influence younger generations, by showing them that it is possible to pursue all of their interests.”

College plans: To earn a degree in exercise science and play football at Concordia College (Moorhead)

Midori Soderberg Morris Area High School GPA: 4.0 Region 6A Band, choir, one act play, speech, volleyball, cross country, track and field “A benefit of extensive extracurricular involvement has been the opportunities I have had to interact with diverse groups of people.

With each activity, I get to meet someone new and am therefore exposed to different ideas, backgrounds, experiences and personalities. Being around so many different people has helped me to be more accepting and appreciative of the quirky differences we all have that make each of us unique.”

College plans: To attain a degree in psychology with a possible minor in biology, while participating in track and field, and theater

Kari Preus West Lutheran High School GPA: 3.62 Region 4A Choir, one act play, speech, soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and field, softball “Athletics, in my opinion, is a key part of a person’s childhood, because it teaches you very important lifelong lessons. Basketball in specific has taught me how to make friends and keep them, teamwork, coordination, sportsmanship with an overall respect for everyone that surrounds me from day to day, leadership, how to encourage a friend, and even how to talk to someone you don’t get along with.”

College plans: To attend Luther College to earn a degree in education, play basketball, and sing in choir

Ally Bode Moose Lake High School GPA: 3.99 Region 7A Band, choir, volleyball, basketball, softball “In the arts, I learned to be creative and do things I never thought I could accomplish, including performing solos in front of judges and crowds. Being successful with these tasks has given me confidence to attempt and work hard at new tasks. In academics, I learned to work hard and be disciplined. I now know if I really apply myself, I can learn almost anything. This makes me extremely excited to consider what I could do in the future.”

College plans: To pursue a degree in the science field at St. Olaf College or the College of St. Benedict, play softball and sing in choir

Sam Lee Nova Classical Academy GPA: 4.26 Region 4A Choir, soccer, basketball “My academic coursework reflects the variety of interests I have from calculus to physics to English literature. More importantly, it reflects my passion for learning. The moment of real understanding and mastery of material rewards long hours of frustration and studying. Out of all my activities, learning takes precedent for me because of its importance in life and reward of knowledge.”

College plans: To study biochemistry at Northwestern University (Ill.) and participate in club soccer and as part of an a capella group

Caleb Curtiss Aitkin High School GPA: 3.88 Region 7A Band, choir, football, basketball, wrestling, baseball “Academics come first, sports and the ability to play them, may come and go. But knowledge is something that no one can take away from you. I have been challenged and encouraged throughout my academic career. Learning to balance the demands of the classroom and participating in sports and the arts, have given me some challenges along the way. All of which I met head on.”

College plans: To study physics while playing football and baseball at the University of Minnesota-Duluth

www.MSHSL.org

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NEWS & FEATURES

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

Continued from page 7 Elizabeth Birkemeyer Ada-Borup High School GPA: 4.12 Region 8A Band, volleyball, basketball, softball, track and field “Time management and responsibility is essential to balance everything in my life. My activities keep me very busy, but I immensely enjoy them. My high school career has been enhanced by being involved. As I graduate and go out into the world, these experiences have set a strong foundation for my future and provided me with skills to be successful as an adult.”

College plans: To attain a business degree at North Dakota State University or Concordia, and play basketball if attending Concordia Isaac Mills Stephen-Argyle Central High School GPA: 3.85 Region 8A Band, choir, football, basketball, baseball “Everyone wants to be successful, but success requires more than showing up every day. You need to be willing to work hard and demonstrate tremendous effort at everything you do. I have grown as a person and leader by understanding that true success is based on modeling work ethic and leadership to impact teammates and our community in a positive manner.”

College plans: To study pharmacy at North Dakota State University Harmony Zweber-Langer Lakeville South High School GPA: 4.27 Region 1AA Band, cross country, Nordic skiing, track and field “The journey to a goal provides more growth than the completion.

As I look upon my involvement in arts, athletic, and academics, I cannot help but smile. My involvement has developed and promoted my growth far beyond my successes. I have gained perseverance and communication skills, and have become a charismatic, servant leader.”

College plans: To study applied and computational mathematics, and neuroscience and behavior, and continue involvement in athletics and music Trenton Brown Austin High School GPA: 4.26 Region 1AA Band, choir, football, basketball, track and field “One of the greatest lessons I have learned through my education and in participating in various activities is that greatness and full potential can only be attained when an individual is challenged.

Because my coaches, teachers, and music directors constantly pushed me to be better, and because of expectations and challenges I set for myself, I have come to appreciate this.”

College plans: To attend South Dakota State University, study engineering, and participate in intramural athletics Lauren Smith Mankato West High School GPA: 4.28 Region 2AA Orchestra, debate, tennis, golf “Academics has developed my dedicated work ethic and time management, sports has taught me perseverance and adaptability, and music has given me collaboration skills and the ability to support others. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in academic, athletic, and arts activities, and it has been a privilege to represent my school and the community.”

College plans: To earn a bachelor of science degree and join orchestra at Brown University Nathan Weckwerth Dassel-Cokato High School GPA: 4.47 Region 2AA Band, choir, robotics, cross country, hockey, baseball 8

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“When you dedicate so much time to something, it’s bound to have an effect on you. In my case, the arts, athletics, and academics have been extremely influential to my personal growth and development.

I can honestly say that were it not for my involvement in these activities, I would not be the person I am today.”

College plans: To attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, study mathematics, and participate in band and choir Lauren Markowski Eagan High School GPA: 4.0 Region 3AA Band, cross country, Nordic skiing, track and field “My involvement and drive to excel in academics, athletics, and the arts have had a very large influence on my personal development.

Not only have they helped me grow into a more well-rounded individual, but they have also been crucial in my development into an engaged student, supportive teammate, and strong leader.”

College plans: To study business or chemistry, and participate in cross country and possibly Nordic skiing, perhaps at St. Olaf College Chun-Kit Chow Burnsville High School GPA: 3.94 Region 3AA Orchestra, cross country, swimming and diving “Growing up, I appeared to the world as a meek and reserved individual. However, as my involvement in various extracurriculars increased, I began to realize that I had much more potential than I knew at the time. … Thanks to the skills I have developed as I grew throughout the years, I hope to succeed as a worthy student and a prosperous individual in the future.”

College plans: To pursue a degree in biochemistry at the University of Minnesota, while participating in orchestra and intramural sports Kaia Porter Roseville Area High School GPA: 4.0 Region 4AA Band, soccer, basketball, track and field “The arts have given me an outlet to express and explore certain emotions that can only be fully experienced through music. I become a more hopeful person when I hear the beautiful sounds humans can make together rather than the constant dissonance we create from clashing political views, religious beliefs, and more.”

College plans: To play basketball at a yet undecided college Douglas Shield White Bear Lake Area High School GPA: 4.31 Region 4AA Band, cross country, Nordic skiing, track and field “I have taken rigorous classes during high school. In these classes I have learned that helping my peers with their studies has actually helped me become a better learner. I have especially enjoyed doing this in my science classes where I have developed a passion that may eventually turn into a career.”

College plans: To study chemical engineering, possibly at the University of Michigan, and continue running at the club level Alyssa Wicks Anoka High School GPA: 4.26 Region 5AA Band, orchestra, tennis, basketball, softball “Striking out, yet embracing the next at bat is symbolic of the daily challenges everyone faces in life, and through these daily challenges I have learned to be resilient. Not every test is perfect, not every high note is hit, but it is the consistent positive mentality that will inevitably lead to success. I have learned to constantly strive for those five for five days at the plate, playing the flawless concerto in a state contest and scoring a perfect calculus test.”

College plans: To study pre-pharmacy at St. Catherine University, and play softball, tennis, and possibly music www.MSHSL.org

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

NEWS & FEATURES

Samuel Skoglund Anoka High School GPA: 4.21 Region 5AA Band, robotics, visual arts, cross country, tennis “Through athletics, I have found how both simply doing physical activity as well as competing at a high level can benefit me.

Whenever I get done with my sports, the exhaustion is a good thing because it allows me to have a higher academic concentration while doing homework, for example. Intense competition has been fun for me because it has allowed me to increase my dedication to short term goals and tasks.”

College plans: To study mechanical engineering, join the tennis team, and play in small band ensembles Amanda Mosborg Edina High School GPA: 4.26 Region 6AA Band, cross country, Nordic skiing, track and field “All of my activities are primarily individual; they involve no passing of a puck or basketball. When I race, I am mainly hoping for a new personal record. When I practice trombone, I am hoping for a better tone above anything else. When I am studying, I am hoping for an A on my report card. However, what I have found so valuable about being part of a team, band, and school is that by working together, everyone can help everybody else improve.”

College plans: To pursue an interest in political science/international relations with French, possibly at Carleton College, and compete in cross country and track and field Michael Sullivan Hibbing High School GPA: 3.58 Region 7AA Band, speech, football, hockey, tennis, clay target “I have been very fortunate to have a football coach who encompasses what it means to be a total student-athlete. Coach always sends congratulatory notes when I make the honor roll. He has also let me participate in our half-time field shows. It was empowering for me to throw my drum set over my football pads and help break that barrier of ‘jock vs. band nerd.’ Why can’t a person be both?”

College plans: To study business at the University of Notre Dame, and play in marching and pep band Anna Norgard Fergus Falls High School GPA: 4.0 Region 8AA Choir, visual arts, volleyball, basketball, golf, track and field “Being a Triple A student has helped me to develop crucial skills I can use in all aspects of my life. … I have also learned the importance of positively influencing those around you—being a leader. I believe that leadership becomes the most exciting when you not only strive to reach your own potential, but aid those around you to do the same.”

College plans: To study chemistry at the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering, and sing in a choir Nick Zwack Monticello High School GPA: 3.87 Region 8AA Orchestra, football, hockey, baseball “A large part of any success I achieve in my life can be attributed to my participation in athletics because it has taught me to be disciplined, self-motivated and goal oriented. I walk away from high school athletics knowing I gave everything I had to myself, my teammates and my coaches and what they’ve given to me in return can never be repaid.”

College plans: To pursue a business degree and play baseball at Xavier University

www.MSHSL.org

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NEWS & FEATURES

GIVING WHEREVER HELP IS NEEDED

A

By Lisa Lissimore, Associate Director

wherever help is needed. They go the extra mile to tutor students, assist seniors, clean cemeteries and highways, and fundraise for worthy causes. They also share their musical and theatrical talents at community events, teach Sunday school, stock food shelves, and organize events to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Minnesota Prep Photo / www.MNPrepPhoto.com

s the 2016-2017 school year begins to wind down, I am reminded of the many programs the League sponsors to recognize young people for their commitment to service, scholarship, and high school activity programs.

Many of you coach or teach students who go beyond the classroom and the field of competition to improve the quality of life for others. Students who are engaged in life-changing projects that build stronger, healthier and safer communities. These are the student leaders that the League annually honors with the ExCEL Award.

ExCEL stands for Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership. It’s a recognition program for high school juniors who are leaders in their schools and who are community-service centered. For the past 21 years, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the ExCEL award winners at the State Girls’ Basketball Tournament and their efforts to help others never ceases to amaze me.

Consider their long list of service projects on the next few pages and you will see that these student leaders volunteer

The 2017 ExCEL award-winners were honored with an on-court ceremony during the State Girls’ Basketball Tournament. www.MSHSL.org

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One student, Brianna Kreft, from West Central Area, has been helping to restore the community library since she was three. “I grew up volunteering after school hours and weekends, building a beautiful space for people to enjoy,” says Kreft. “I’ve helped renovate the computer lab, hung sheet rock and siding, and updated the ceilings and floors.” Recently the Thorson Memorial Library was named on the National Register of Historical Places—a proud moment for Kreft. “I’m so proud that my actions have not only impacted those in our small town of Elbow Lake. Now everyone can appreciate the importance of Thorson Memorial Library,” she explains.

Another student, William Keute of Virginia, volunteered with Kids Voting to teach his peers about the civic duty of voting. He helped organize a school assembly that included the mayor and a school board member who spoke about the importance of voting. Last November, on election night, Keute assisted with transporting and tallying ballots. About his experience, he says, “I was lucky to be a part of a group that taught others while learning about the election process.”

Last, but certainly not least, there’s Aye Aye Thin from Humboldt High School in St. Paul, who volunteers in multiple capacities for the Karen Organization of Minnesota, which assists Karen and other refugees from Burma. One of Thin’s roles is to teach Karenni dance to youth, which fulfills one of the organizations’ missions to help refugees stay connected to their culture. “The benefit of being a Karenni youth cultural dance coach is that I have to come up with some good ways of helping someone through their struggles, which allows me to get to know other people better,” Thin says about her coaching experience.

It’s people like Brianna, William, and Aye Aye and the other 33 ExCEL Award winners who give people like me hope that there’s still a lot of true goodness in this world. To these young people, I say thank you for your willingness to go the extra mile for others and for giving wherever help is needed.

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Kjerstin Anderson

Aiden Begnaud

Matthew Benson

Leighton Buhr

McKenzie Cselovszki

Reese Eichner

Jackson Grove

Teresa Grunklee

Owatonna

Lake CrystalWellcome Memorial

Park Rapids Area

Lester Prairie

Sleepy Eye

Norwood-Young America

Alexandria Area

Rosemount

Ashley Haxton

Lisa Hoffer

Sarita Hook

William Keute

Taylor Kimman

Bryce Knutson

Brianna Kreft

Markayla Kujath

Wabasha-Kellogg

West Lutheran, Plymouth

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton

Virginia

Pierz

Owatonna

West Central Area, Barrett

Kasson-Mantorville

Brianna Larson

Judy Larson

Elizabeth McDonald

Lauren Miller

Emma Nelson

Grace Penke

Alex Pohlen

Allison Prestby

Litchfield

Norwood-Young America

Fisher

Zumbrota-Mazeppa

Hancock

Hutchinson

Minneota

Alexandria Area

Spencer Quast

Adam Revoir

Andrew Rippy

Brady Ristau

Mason Schmidgall

Briana Schmidt

Brock Snyder

Nick Thielsen

Redwood Valley, Redwood Falls

Tartan, Oakdale

St. Croix Preparatory Academy, Stillwater

Fillmore Central, Harmony

Hancock

Springfield

Royalton

Mankato East

Aye Aye Thin

Mai Xee Vang

KaSondra Wiederich

St. Paul Humboldt

St. Paul Harding

LeSueur-Henderson

Austin Windsperger Watertown-Mayer

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN Continued from page 11 Kjerstin Anderson, Owatonna School Activities: French Club, Student Council, Math League Athletics: Swimming and Diving Fine Arts: Band, Choir, One Act Play, Speech, Marching Band, Theater Community Service: Church Musician, Adopt a Highway, Blood Drive, Staff Babysitting Event Chairperson, Toys for Tots, Crisis Center Fundraiser, Hope for Haiti Fundraiser, Guatemala Education Fundraiser, A.L.S. Walk Volunteer Aiden Begnaud, Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial School Activities: Robotics, Academic Decathlon, Knowledge Bowl, Math League, National Honor Society, Student Council, Leadership Council, Finance Decathlon Athletics: Cross Country, Wrestling, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band Community Service: Mission Trip, Church Volunteer, Youth Sports Coach and Referee, Community Cleanup Matthew Benson, Park Rapids Area School Activities: Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society, Student Council, Spanish Club, National Leadership Forum, Math Competition Athletics: Football, Swimming and Diving, Track and Field Fine Arts: Choir, Visual Arts Community Service: Church Volunteer, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Adopt a Highway, Youth Sports Coach and Event Worker Leighton Buhr, Lester Prairie School Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council, Athlete Council Athletics: Football, Basketball, Baseball Fine Arts: Choir Community Service: Church Volunteer, Youth Sports Coach and Referee, Adopt a Highway, Food Shelf Volunteer, Blood Drive, Toy Drive, Elementary School Event Volunteer McKenzie Cselovszki, Sleepy Eye School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook, FFA, Energy Summit Team, AntiDrug Campaign Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, Cheerleading Fine Arts: Choir, Band, One Act Play, Theater Community Service: 4-H, County Fair Volunteer and Judge Assistant, Camp Counselor and Lifeguard, Animal Show Volunteer, Sunday School Teacher, Community Events Volunteer, Community Cleanup, Food Drives Reese Eichner, Norwood-Young America School Activities: Robotics, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, FFA, Leadership Summit Athletics: Cross Country, Basketball, Track and Field, Baseball Fine Arts: Band, Choir, Theater Community Service: 4-H, Sunday School Leader, Concert Volunteer, Community Theater Musician, Feed My Starving Children, Food Drive Jackson Grove, Alexandria Area School Activities: Student Council, Key Club, Improv Team Athletics: Swimming and Diving, Track and Field Fine Arts: One Act Play, Choir, Band, Theater Community Service: Community Theater Performer, Director and Writer; Dance Studio Choreographer and Teacher; Church Volunteer and Musician; Firefighter Honor Event Volunteer; Domestic Violence Awareness Event Coordinator

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NEWS & FEATURES

Teresa Grunklee, Rosemount School Activities: National Honor Society, Chinese National Honor Society, Retreat Leader Athletics: Cross Country, Nordic Skiing, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band Community Service: Mission Trip, Church Volunteer, Bible School Leader, 4-H, Youth Sports Event Volunteer, County Ambassador, Library Volunteer Ashley Haxton, Wabasha-Kellogg School Activities: Math Team, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Poetry Group, Yearbook Athletics: Cross Country, Track and Field, Basketball Fine Arts: Speech, One Act Play, Choir, Band, Theater Community Service: Community Festival Representative, Community and Church Musician, Elementary Theater Pit Musician, Race Volunteer, Community Theater Set Builder Lisa Hoffer, West Lutheran School Activities: School Ambassador, National Honor Society, Fundraising Event Musician Athletics: Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Track and Field Fine Arts: Choir, Theater Community Service: Bible School Leader, Church Musician, Music Teachers Association Event Musician, Outreach Program Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Operation Christmas Child Volunteer Sarita Hook, Tracy Area School Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council, Peer Helpers, Big Buddies, Spanish Club, Science Club, FFA Athletics: Cross Country, Dance Team, Track and Field Fine Arts: Speech, Band, One Act Play, Choir, Theater, Marching Band Community Service: 4-H, Community Event Musician and Server, Church Volunteer and Musician, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Adopt a Highway, Feed My Starving Children, Toys for Tots, Miracle of Birth Volunteer, Food Shelf Volunteer, Relay for Life, Homeless Food Program Server William Keute, Virginia School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, Student Council, School Board Student Representative, Green Team, Iron Range Youth in Action, Key Club, Voting Awareness Group, Peer Tutoring Athletics: Cross Country, Tennis Fine Arts: Orchestra, Theater Community Service: Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout Award, Youth Sports Coach, Special Olympics Coach, Ronald McDonald House Volunteer, Salvation Army, Race Volunteer Special Mention: William volunteered with Kids Voting America, doing outreach in his community to teach kids about the civic duty of voting. He helped organize a school assembly, inviting the mayor and a school board member to speak, and gave presentations at elementary schools. On election night, he assisted with transporting ballots and tallying.

Taylor Kimman, Pierz School Activities: National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Leadership Team, Peer Helping, Positive Choices Group Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Track and Field, Football Manager Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Church Volunteer, Youth Sports Coach, Toy Drive, Reading Program Volunteer, Adopt a Highway Continued on page 14

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NEWS & FEATURES

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

Continued from page 13 Bryce Knutson, Owatonna School Activities: Student Council, Leadership Conference, Link Crew Athletics: Cross Country, Track and Field, Baseball, Basketball Fine Arts: Band, Choir, Orchestra, Marching Band, Pit Orchestra Community Service: Church and Theater Musician, Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout Award, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Community Event Volunteer, Park Cleanup, Sunday School Teacher, Mission Trip, Church Volunteer, Adopt a Highway, Senior Home Upkeep Volunteer, Blood Drive Brianna Kreft, West Central Area School Activities: Student Council, National Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Yearbook Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball Fine Arts: Band, Choir, Speech Community Service: Adopt a Highway, Church Volunteer and Musician, Toys for Tots, Sunday School Volunteer, Lions Club, Community Event Volunteer, Library Restoration Volunteer, Food Shelf Volunteer Special Mention: Briana has been helping to restore the community library since she was young. She has helped renovate the computer lab, has hung sheet rock and siding, and updated the ceiling and floors. Recently the Thorson Memorial Library was named on the National Register of Historic Places.

Markayla Kujath, Kasson-Mantorville School Activities: Student Council; Link Crew; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Minnesota Honor Society Athletics: Soccer, Dance Team Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Elementary School Retreat Leader, Church Volunteer and Musician, Highway Cleanup, Hope Lodge and Ronald McDonald House Volunteer, Youth Sports Volunteer, Respite Care Volunteer, American Cancer Society Fundraiser, National Youth Gathering, Camp Volunteer Brianna Larson, Litchfield School Activities: Peer Tutoring; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Student Council; Yearbook; New Student Program Athletics: Swimming and Diving, Basketball, Track and Field Fine Arts: Choir, Band, Theater, Marching Band Community Service: Church Volunteer and Musician, Nursing Home Volunteer, Youth Sports Coach, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Food Drive Judy Larson, Norwood-Young America School Activities: Robotics, Knowledge Bowl, Environment Competition, National Honor Society, Leadership Conferences Athletics: Cross Country, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band, Choir, Theater Community Service: Church Volunteer and Musician, Tree Farm Volunteer, Girl Scouts – Silver Award, Youth Sports Camp Volunteer, Community Theater Performer, Community Bridge Painting Volunteer Elizabeth McDonald, Fisher School Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council, Knowledge Bowl Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, Clay Target Fine Arts: One Act Play, Band, Choir

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Community Service: Community Meal Server, Church Volunteer and Musician, Sunday School Teacher, Service Trip, Community Event Volunteer Lauren Miller, Zumbrota-Mazeppa School Activities: National Honor Society; Student Council; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Leadership Conference; Yearbook, Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Students Against Destructive Decisions Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band, Marching Band Community Service: 4-H, Ronald McDonald House Volunteer, Food Shelf Volunteer, Toys for Tots, Nursing Home Volunteer, State and County Fairs Volunteer, Church Volunteer, Sunday School Teacher, Mission Trip, Community Cleanup, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Youth Sports Events Volunteer Emma Nelson, Hancock School Activities: FFA Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: 4-H, Adopt a Highway, County Ambassador, State Fair Committee Youth Representative, Church Volunteer, County Fair Volunteer, Ag in the Classroom Program Volunteer Grace Penke, Hutchinson School Activities: Business Professionals of America, Student Council, National Honor Society, Link Crew, Leadership Seminar, School Board Student Representative, Building Planning Committee, Peer Tutoring, Faculty-Student Governance Committee Athletics: Soccer, Basketball, Softball Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Elementary School Tutor, Youth Sports Coach and Referee, Sunday School Teacher, Humanitarian Shoe Drive Coordinator Alex Pohlen, Minneota School Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council Athletics: Football, Wrestling, Baseball Fine Arts: Band, Marching Band Community Service: Church Volunteer, Youth Sports Coach and Referee, Community Events Volunteer, Food Distribution Program Volunteer Allison Prestby, Alexandria Area School Activities: Student Council, Academic Excellence Committee, Graduation and Baccalaureate Music Athletics: Tennis, Golf Fine Arts: Band, Choir, Visual Arts, Pit Orchesta Community Service: Community Events Musician, Mission Trips, Local Theater Musician and Volunteer, Vacation Bible School Assistant, Church Musician and Volunteer, Senior Center Technology Instructor Spencer Quast, Redwood Valley School Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council, Open House Guide Athletics: Football, Wrestling, Baseball Fine Arts: Band, Speech, Theater Community Service: Church Musician and Volunteer, Big Buddies Fundraiser, Community Cleanup, Food Drive, Meals on Wheels, Blood Drive

www.MSHSL.org

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN Adam Revoir, Tartan School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Student Council, Business Professionals of America, Link Crew, Cancer Fundraising Group, Yearbook Athletics: Cross Country, Track and Field Community Service: Feed My Starving Children, Relay for Life, Blood Drive, Holiday Outreach Event Volunteer, Library Volunteer, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Senior Center Volunteer, Camp Volunteer, Special Olympics, Minnesota Farmers Union Youth Advisory Council Member Andrew Rippy, St. Croix Preparatory Academy School Activities: Peer Tutoring, Math League, National Art Honors Society, National English Honors Society Athletics: Cross Country, Track and Field Fine Arts: Band Community Service: Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout Award, Community Cleanups, Feed My Starving Children, Salvation Army Kettle Maintenance Volunteer and Bell Ringer, Youth Leadership Training Counselor

NEWS & FEATURES

Nick Thielsen, Mankato East School Activities: Math League, Robotics, Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society Athletics: Soccer, Track and Field Fine Arts: Visual Arts Community Service: Boy Scouts of America – Eagle Scout Award, Church Volunteer, Adopt a Highway, Kiwanis Holiday Event Volunteer Special Mention: Nick created an improvement plan for a Mankato area soccer facility. He obtained material donations from local businesses and organized a team of volunteers. Nick led the efforts to landscape around a storage shed co-owned by the soccer club and a church, clean up weeds and overgrowth, and build a new storage space for small soccer goals that were previously kept in a parking lot.

Brady Ristau, Fillmore Central School Activities: Peer Tutoring, FFA, Student Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Scholar Club Athletics: Football, Basketball, Baseball Fine Arts: Band, Visual Arts, Marching Band Community Service: Youth Sports Coach, Church Volunteer, Salvation Army Bell Ringer, Cattle Industry Organizations Volunteer, 4-H, Blood Drive

Aye Aye Thin, St. Paul Humboldt School Activities: JROTC, Math Team, National Honor Society, Link Leader, Upward Bound Athletics: Tennis, Badminton, Golf, Volleyball Fine Arts: Visual Arts Community Service: Karen Organization of MN Volunteer and Fundraiser, Cultural Dance Coach, Feed My Starving Children, Clothing Drive, Holiday Event Volunteer Special Mention: Aye Aye volunteers in multiple capacities for the Karen Organization of Minnesota, which assists Karen and other refugees from Burma. One of Aye Aye’s roles is to teach Karenni Cultural Dance to youth, which fulfills one of the organization’s missions, helping refugees maintain their culture.

Mason Schmidgall, Hancock School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, Student Council, FFA, Business Professionals of America Athletics: Football, Basketball, Track and Field Fine Arts: Speech, Band, Theater, Choir, Marching Band Community Service: Church Musician and Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children, Blood Drive, Technology Blog Volunteer, Food Shelf Volunteer, Corn Drive, Youth Sports Referee, School Technology and Maintenance Volunteer, Community Cleanup

Mai Xee Vang, St. Paul Harding School Activities: JROTC, Quiz Bowl, Chess Club, Cooking Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Japan Club, Leadership Program, New Student Mentorship Group, National Music Honor Society Athletics: Soccer, Track and Field, Softball Fine Arts: Orchestra, Speech, Theater Community Service: Festival of Nations Volunteer, Library Volunteer, Parks and Recreation Volunteer, Community Cultural Event Volunteer

Briana Schmidt, Springfield School Activities: Mock Trial, Knowledge Bowl, Yearbook, Student Council, School Newspaper, Buddy Program, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Energy Summit Team Athletics: Tennis, Basketball, Softball Fine Arts: Speech, One Act Play, Band, Theater Community Service: Church and Community Event Musician, Community Theater Volunteer

KaSondra Wiederich, LeSueur-Henderson School Activities: Student Council, National Honor Society, Chemical Free Leadership Group, Leadership Conference Athletics: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Youth Retreat Leader, Youth Sports Coach and Referee, Church Volunteer, Blood Drive, Community and Holiday Event Volunteer, Food Program Volunteer, Homeless Outreach Volunteer

Brock Snyder, Royalton School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Student Council, Business Professionals of America, Drug Free Grant Committee Athletics: Basketball, Baseball Fine Arts: Band, One Act Play, Theater, Marching Band Community Service: 4-H, Youth Summer Recreation Volunteer, Hunger Program Coordinator, Youth Sports Coach and Referee, Meal Sharing Program Volunteer, Community Cleanup, Cemetery Care Volunteer, Church Volunteer, Holiday Events Volunteer, Food Drive, Nursing Home Musician, Homebound Neighbor Assistant

Austin Windsperger, Watertown-Mayer School Activities: Knowledge Bowl, National Honor Society, German American Partnership Program, Ecology Club Athletics: Basketball, Baseball, Cross Country Fine Arts: Band, Choir Community Service: Church Volunteer and Musician, Elementary Music Concert Volunteer, Youth Sports Coach, Elementary School Technology and Building Volunteer, Community Theater Performer, Blood Drive, Feed My Starving Children, Lioness Club Event Volunteer

www.MSHSL.org

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NEWS & FEATURES

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

GET BACK TO YOUR BEST. WITH OURS.

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• Sports medicine doctors, orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors and podiatrists • Locations throughout the metro area • Same and next-day appointments • Injury walk-in clinic

VISIT athleticmedicine.org/InTheGame CALL 612-672-7100 to make an appointment.

24-HOUR INJURY HOTLINE: 952-920-8850

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www.MSHSL.org

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NEWS & FEATURES

MOOSE LAKE’S DANNY LILYA SELECTED NFHS SPIRIT OF SPORT AWARD RECIPIENT

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Photos courtesy of Danny Lilya Family

oose Lake sophomore Danny Lilya was selected the 2017 national recipient of the “National High School Spirit of Sport Award” by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The “National High School Spirit of Sport Award” was created by the NFHS to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics.

Like most other students at Moose Lake, a school with only 184 students, Lilya plays a variety of sports. Unlike those other students, however, Lilya was born with a broken back, is a paraplegic, and has used a wheelchair his entire life.

However, that has not prevented him from participating in the sports he loves.

Among those are football, sled hockey, wheelchair softball and track. Last fall, Lilya was the holder on extra points and field goals for the Moose Lake/Willow River football team. He also plays left wing for the Minnesota Wild competitive sled hockey team, where he is 10 years younger than the rest of the athletes on the team. During the past three years, he has attended the USA Hockey sled hockey development camp in Buffalo, New York.

A National Wheelchair Softball Association player with the Junior Rolling Twins in Minneapolis, Lilya has competed in Baltimore, Chicago and Nebraska.

Despite the attention Lilya has received from his extraordinary achievements, Moose Lake High School Athletic Director Tony Andres said, “He’s just an average teenager.”

By the NFHS

As a participant in Moose Lake athletics, Lilya clearly benefits from having a forward-thinking football coach in Dave Louzek.

“Part of Rebels football has always been including everybody,” Louzek said. “Danny has displayed a great deal of courage in overcoming the challenge of participating in high school football while using a wheelchair without the use of his legs. As a holder for our extra point/field goal unit, he proves that anybody who is willing to work hard and truly wants to contribute can play an important role on a team and in life.”

When it’s time for Lilya’s role in the game, he wheels onto the field and climbs out of the wheelchair, which is then brought to the sideline. He receives and holds the football while sitting on both knees. After the kick, someone brings the wheelchair back on the field and Lilya climbs back in. Just like any other high school special team player across the country, he says “It’s just the best feeling in the world,” when he gets into the game.

Lilya’s father, Dan, said, “The wheelchair kind of becomes invisible … he is every bit part of that program as are the able-bodied athletes who are out there.”

Perhaps Lilya said it best, “The wheelchair doesn’t define you. If you want to do something, but you’re disabled, if you have the right mindset, you can still go out there and do it.”

Nominations for the award were generated through NFHS member state associations and reviewed by the NFHS National High School Spirit of Sport Award Selection Committee composed of state association staff members. While Lilya will be recognized June 29 at the NFHS Summer Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, the section winners will be recognized within their respective states and will receive awards before the end of the current school year.

The National High School Spirit of Sport Award began in 2008.

Including this year, 10 individuals and three teams have been chosen national award recipients.

Photo courtesy of Josie Ross Family

BENILDEST. MARGARET’S SENIOR JOSIE ROSS SELECTED HEART OF THE ARTS NATIONAL AWARD RECIPIENT By the NFHS

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enilde-St. Margaret’s senior Josephine (Josie) Ross was selected the 2017 national recipient of the “National High School Heart of the Arts Award” by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

The National High School Heart of the Arts Award was created by the NFHS to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive heart of the arts that represent the core mission of education-based activities. This is the fourth year that the National High School Heart of the Arts Award has been offered.

In addition to her 3.96 grade-point average and membership in the National Honor Society, Ross has been involved in many activities and clubs.

Continued on page 18

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Continued from page 17 Ross has participated in numerous performing arts activities, including debate, speech and choir. Among her many awards in this area are the Minnesota State High School League ExCEL Award and the Benilde-St. Margaret’s School Outstanding Character Award.

The theater, though, is her true passion.

Among her theatre accomplishments, she’s a four-year cast member of the One-Act Play, a performer in multiple school musicals and plays, and has received several Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Theatre Awards.

While those experiences and recognitions are significant, her unyielding desire to selflessly help others and to fight for their causes has been extraordinary. Following are three examples of Ross’ desire to help others.

Several years ago, Ross met Rachel Olson when they were cast in the Chaska Valley Family Theatre’s (CVFT) production of “Sound of Music.”

Olson’s parents, Chuck and Debra Olson, were born with hearing, but each lost their hearing as young children. While they always attended Rachel’s performances, they were never able to fully enjoy them because of their hearing disabilities.

When Rachel performed in the CVFT’s production of “Seussical, the Musical,” Ross arranged for an American Sign Language interpreter to sign for the audience, thereby enabling Olson’s parents to enjoy their daughter’s theatre performance.

Chuck Olson died shortly thereafter following a long struggle with cancer. “Seussical” was the last show he attended.

Ross also seeks to help individuals who are bullied.

During her freshman year, Ross read a news story about seventh-grader Jake Ross (no relation) at Forest Lake High School, who was bullied at school.

A year later, as Josie thought about the CVFT’s upcoming “Shrek: The Musical” from her position of co-director with her father, Randy, it occurred to her that the show’s theme was partially about being bullied. That caused her to wonder if they could produce a show for elementary-aged kids that would not only entertain them, but would also raise their awareness of bullying.

The CVFT put on a special show on March 4, 2015 for elementary-aged kids from Minnetonka and District 112 elementary schools in which they also invited Jake. Before the show, Jake was introduced to the students and was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by CVFT Board of Directors President Bill Coldwell.

After the show, Jake offered the students several tips on what they could do if they experienced bullying or if they observed another person being bullied. Because of Jake’s activism, in part, Minnesota has since enacted an anti-bullying law.

Ross’ third selfless act harkens to the mid-1960s and the Vietnam War. As a writer for the school newspaper during her sophomore year, Ross witnessed backlash from several articles that were published in it.

Since that was her first-ever experience dealing with issues surrounding freedom of the press, Ross sought advice and counsel from the student editors. They in turn told her about a First Amendment rights activist named Mary Beth Tinker.

As a 13-year-old in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1965, Tinker and several other students decided to wear black armbands to school to mourn the deceased on both sides of the Vietnam War. The Des Moines School Board attempted to block the students from wearing the armbands. Tinker was suspended from school and her family sued the school board. The case eventually went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in a 1969 landmark decision that students in school do have First Amendment rights.

Since the fall of 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Tinker’s fight, Ross wanted to bring her to her high school. Six months later, that became a reality as Tinker spent the day speaking to government and journalism classes, and participating in an open panel discussion.

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SERVING AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL Meet the MSHSL staff members that serve roles with the National Federation of State High School Associations.

AMY DOHERTY NFHS Girls Gymnastics Rules Committee

TIM LEIGHTON High School Today Publications Committee NFHS Officiating Today Advisory Board

LISA LISSIMORE NFHS Student Services Committee

RICH MATTER NFHS Boys Lacrosse Committee

KEVIN MERKLE NFHS Football Rules Committee

CRAIG PERRY NFHS Ice Hockey Rules Committee

JODY REDMAN NFHS Coaches Education Committee NFHS Volleyball Rules Committee DAVE STEAD NFHS Foundation Board of Directors. Served on the NFHS board from 2001-05 and was president in 2004-05.

www.MSHSL.org

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NEWS & FEATURES

HARDWIRED TO CONNECT

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Minnesota Prep Photo / www.MNPrepPhoto.com

s a culture, our youth are experiencing an unprecedented crisis of mental health issues; depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, thoughts of suicide, and other serious mental, emotional, and behavioral problems.

In a ground-breaking study, Hardwired to Connect, 33 physicians, research scholars, neuroscientists, and youth service professionals issued a report most startling for the simplicity of its suggested solution. These experts stated that much of what is causing the crisis of our youth is a lack of meaningful relationships and connections. The group then raises the question: “What’s causing this crisis?”

Their answer is direct and specific: “In large measure, what’s causing this crisis of American childhood is a lack of connectedness. We mean two kinds of connectedness—close connections to adults and deep connections to moral meaning.”

They also contend that “in recent decades, the U.S. social institutions that foster these two forms of connectedness for children have gotten significantly weaker.” Education-based athletics can and should provide students with the meaningful connections the study indicates—these connections are necessary to raise healthy children.

This report makes the case that young people have three basic needs. First, they need to belong and have someone believe in them and affirm and validate their

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By Jody Redman, Associate Director

inherent value and potential. Secondly, they need a belief system that will help them to find meaning and purpose in life. Finally, they need a base community built on well-defined moral principles with expectations and boundaries that provide structure and safeguards in the treacherous journey to adulthood.

The overwhelming message of this commissioned study is that the single greatest deficit of young people today is lack of meaningful relationships. As a species, humans are hardwired to connect to people and community. Education-based athletics can and should play a critical role in addressing the most significant needs of America’s future. But, for this to happen, athletic programing must be intentional about utilizing the “power of the whistle” to build authentic relationships with students based on their inherent value and worth.

To provide a community where students belong, where we are developing their moral beliefs and are providing a base community that holds them accountable, we must be intentional and take a deep look at our own inner lives. Just as students need meaningful and connected relationships, so do we as adults. We can’t export what we haven’t imported. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”

Since the purpose of education-based sports is to connect youth to their school community and caring adults that foster human growth and development, what are we doing to help connect with the students involved in our athletic programs?

How are we engaging in authentic community? Authentic community doesn’t just happen and developing relationships in the fast-paced culture we live in is difficult. We must slow down, breath and look inside for what is causing us to run at the frantic pace we do. At the end of our lives, when we look back and reflect on what was most important, it will be about relationships and the commitment we made to something bigger than ourselves.

For this legacy to happen, we must take time to notice what is going on and reflect on all that is possible. Take a few moments to reflect on the following two questions: What is one thing I have done this month to strengthen and grow connections with others, and specifically, what is one thing I have done to connect with the students in my school community?

To reclaim space that builds community and connections, we must consciously make a choice to respond in ways that grow and foster relationships. The responsibility each of us assumes is to create environments where we first feel connected and then ones in which the students we interact with will feel connected.

It is an intentional choice that we must make to change the lives of the students involved in our programs. They are counting on us to make the choice to connect.

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UNDERSTANDING

GOOD STANDING A LOOK AT STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

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s a school administrator, you have the task of reviewing and determining the eligibility of your students for participation in League-sponsored programs. Your review and determination can take place throughout the year, but for the most part, the eligibility status of students is determined at the start of each athletic season or when a student transfers into the school.

Essentially, you are preparing a Master Eligibility List—a document that officially declares that a student meets all of the requirements to represent your school in a League-sponsored activity or athletic event.

Master Eligibility List: MSHSL Bylaw 305 mandates that each school keep on file at the school a list of all the students that will represent the school in League-sponsored programs.

This list is an official declaration made by the principal or designee that the names and data included on the list are accurate and valid, and that the individuals named on the list are fully eligible to represent the school.

When a student meets those participation requirements, we say that he or she is now a student in Good Standing.

I am often asked, “What does Good Standing mean and how is it affected by transfers, grades or violations?” My usual reply is something like this: “Only students who are in Good Standing can actually participate in League-sponsored programs. Simply put, Good Standing means a student meets all of the school and League rules, and eligibility requirements. Good Standing means the student is able to put on the school uniform and represent your school in an athletic contest or event.”

When a student transfers to your school you have to review and then determine the transfer eligibility for that student. You must also review a transfer student’s incoming Good Standing.

You need to know if the student has any existing suspensions or penalties from the previous school that still need to be served.

When you review a student’s eligibility and Good Standing you are looking at his or her academic standing, behavior, and transfer history. To start with, you are making certain the student: ■ Is not too old—students who reach the age of 20 before the start of the season are not eligible for participation.

■ Is an amateur in that sport—students who receive salary, cash or merchandise for participation on a non-school team or in an event in a sport sponsored by the League may lose their amateur status.

■ Is fully enrolled at the school, home-schooled in the attendance area, or is part of a cooperative with another member school.

■ Has not participated in more than eight semesters since first enrolling in the ninth grade.

■ Has submitted the necessary paperwork, such as the signed Sports Qualifying Physical Examination Clearance Form or Athletic Eligibility Information Brochure.

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By Craig Perry, Associate Director

■ Is academically eligible—making adequate progress to graduate in four years.

You will also gather additional information about the student, including his or her behavior history, a review of the code of conduct, and a record of transfer. To help schools prepare the Master Eligibility List and to help prevent schools from allowing students who were not in Good Standing to participate, the League has implemented the use of an Athletic Eligibility Verification Form.

Athletic Eligibility Verification Form: This form is quite simply a confirmation by the school’s athletic administrator and the sport-specific head coach that every student who participates in the first varsity contest of the season is eligible to do so. Each head coach is asked to spend a few minutes prior to the first game with the school’s athletic administrator to review the team roster and confirm that they all are in good standing. The form is found on your school’s administrative Web page as a link under pertinent activities.

The primary intent of the Athletic Eligibility Verification Form is to make sure that the head coach and athletic administrator together get the chance to review the team roster. With an ever-increasing number of non-teacher head coaches, this is a quick check to make sure that all of your student athletes are in Good Standing. The secondary result of this final check is the hope that we reduce the number of contests that have to be forfeited because of the use of an ineligible student athlete—the use of a student athlete not in good standing.

GOOD STANDING PENALTIES, SUSPENSIONS AND SITUATIONS We already know that a student must be in Good Standing before he or she can put on the uniform and participate in a contest. A student must also be in Good Standing before he or she can serve a suspension for a violation of League rules.

Following are some example situations to help you understand the application of the Good Standing rule. www.MSHSL.org

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NEWS & FEATURES

Situation #1:

Situation #2:

Situation #3:

A member of the girls’ basketball team is found to be in violation of Bylaw 205 – Chemical Eligibility.

A junior transferred to your school and because his new family residence is located in your school district attendance area he is eligible to compete at the varsity level.

A school has an academic eligibility rule that suspends students for four weeks if they have a grade of “F” on their report card.

This is her first offense, so she will serve a two-week or two-contest suspension, whichever is greater.

She is notified of the determination at practice after school on a Monday.

Her school also has a rule that when a student has a chemical suspension the student will be suspended from school for three days. In this case, the student will be suspended Tuesday through Thursday, and she will then return to school on Friday.

During those three days, the girls’ basketball team will play two games.

Will those games count toward her chemical bylaw suspension?

Answer #1: NO A student must be eligible to be placed in a contest before the penalty for a chemical bylaw suspension can be applied.

In this situation, she will serve the school suspension first, then the chemical bylaw suspension.

Because she is suspended from school Tuesday through Thursday, she is not in Good Standing, and as a result, the two games played during her suspension from school will not count toward her chemical suspension.

When she is back in school on Friday, in Good Standing, she can begin to serve the penalty for the chemical violation.

The student is playing on both the JV basketball team and the varsity basketball team.

His Transfer Student Eligibility Report from his previous school indicates he is not in Good Standing.

He had violated the Student Code of Conduct at his former school and must serve a five-game suspension.

Can the student serve the fivegame suspension at both the JV and varsity level?

Answer #2: NO As a transfer student with a confirmed family residence change, he is fully eligible to compete at the varsity level from a transfer perspective.

However, we know that a student cannot gain eligibility through a transfer. So, the Code of Conduct penalty from the previous school must be served at the new school.

When a student participates at two levels, varsity and JV, the student serves the suspension at highest level of competition—in this case at the varsity level.

While serving the suspension, the student is not able to participate in a contest at any level. Once he has served the five-game code of conduct suspension at the varsity level, he is then eligible to participate in a contest at all levels.

You can see from these actual situations, determining a student’s Good Standing and participation eligibility can be quite complicated. The keys to maintaining accurate eligibility/good standing records in your school are: 1) to have a clean process for identifying transfer students as they enroll in your school; 2) to keep an up-to-date Master Eligibility List; 3) to maintain ongoing communication with your head coaches, and; 4) use of the Athletic Eligibility Verification Form prior to the first varsity competition. www.MSHSL.org

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During the volleyball season, a sophomore student currently participating with the JV volleyball program received an “F.” She is informed that she is ineligible for four weeks.

The day after the student begins serving her academic suspension the school is informed by the student’s parents that she was cited the previous evening for a violation of Bylaw 205 – Chemical Eligibility.

The school investigates and confirms with the family the student is in violation and this is her second violation of the bylaw.

The family opts to immediately enroll the student in a three-week inpatient treatment program.

How should the suspensions be applied?

Answer #3: Again, we know the student must be attending school in order to serve the suspensions. So, during the time the student is out of school in the inpatient treatment program, none of the contests played by the JV volleyball team will count toward her suspension.

When she returns to school, she will first serve her academic suspension of four weeks.

After the academic suspension is served she will then begin to serve the three-week or six-contest suspension for her second violation of the chemical bylaw.

Following these four steps will help you verify each student athlete’s Good Standing. As the school administrator responsible for eligibility, your important role in determining each student athlete’s Good Standing will help keep your overall athletic programs in Great Standing.

Remember, you are making certain that they have followed all of your school rules and policies and are eligible for the privilege to represent your school in athletics.

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COVER STORY

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Ph o t

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a salute to service:

Joe Kordosky and Neil Fletcher deliver decades of dedication to students

By Tim Leighton, Communications Coordinator

T

hey chose career paths filled with long hours, countless duties, and too often, thankless times that would make most throw their hands up in disgust or surrender. Daily, they are seemingly pulled in dozens of directions at once, but somehow, they stay on course with a caring sense of direction for their clientele, affirmative smiles, and the deep-rooted purpose of making a positive impact with students.

“I would hope that the school community will remember me as the guy that was always there for them, the one that was positive and the one whose primary objective was to make things fun, positive and memorable for them.”

- Joe Kordosky, Mounds Park Academy Athletic Director Welcome to the oftentimes wacky way of life for an activities director. It is a welcomed existence for most. Truly.

“I am very fortunate to be in a profession that is so near and dear to my heart,” Mounds Park Academy activities director Joe Kordosky said during a mid-winter visit.

“It’s been a colorful journey,” Chisago Lakes activities director Neil Fletcher said. “The journey has made me who I am. I have become a little bit of everybody that I have connected with over my career. I was impacted by others just as much as maybe me impacting them.”

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Kordosky and Fletcher are among more than a dozen activities directors from Minnesota State High School League member schools that have announced their retirement following the conclusion of the 2016-17 school year.

While each retiring AD has certainly had their unique career journeys, Kordosky and Fletcher stand out, though, because of the administrative paths they followed. For virtually his entire 40-year career, Kordosky has been in a private-school setting. Fletcher, meanwhile, has had many stops on the public-school road.

While their experiences differed at times because of their school environments, their sense of purpose and commitment to their communities were mirror images.

JUST CALL HIM “KORDO” In the lobby of the Lansing Center, a modern expansion of the athletic facilities at the Maplewood-based private school, a sign with handwritten messages to Kordosky is proudly displayed.

Members of the student body contend that Kordosky’s retirement isn’t real, but merely an April Fool’s Day prank.

“Nope, it’s real,” Kordosky says with a smile. “I can really appreciate what the students are feeling and their constant urging me to stay. I’ve stayed around a long time because of them.

They were the ones that kept me coming back year after year.”

Kordosky is a product of public school education, graduating from St. Paul Johnson and then the University of Minnesota where he was an infielder on the Gophers’ baseball team. He says he was only aware of private schools because Johnson played Cretin in baseball and he had friends that went to Hill-Murray to play hockey.

Not surprisingly, at first, he began his educational and administrative career at Brooklyn Center High School, a public school. He credits longtime AD Doug Darnell for being an influential mentor while he was a physical education instructor and a baseball coach. www.MSHSL.org

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN “I’ve still got some purple blood in me,” Kordosky said, referring to Brooklyn Center’s primary color. “What a phenomenal experience. I learned that good coaches are made by getting good coaches to mentor them.”

After a year at Brooklyn Center, he became an elementary school teacher in Apple Valley. He didn’t have a coaching job to go with it though, which he missed terribly. That prompted him to pursue a teaching and coaching opening at Breck, a private school in Golden Valley. The position included some football and basketball coaching, as well as the head baseball coaching job.

“Here I was, a public school guy in a private school world,” Kordosky said. “It was a different world to a degree. We had about 800 seniors in our class at school growing up, and now there were about 300 in the entire Breck community.”

He enjoyed the setting, staying at Breck for 10 years, including the final three as the school’s activities director. Kordosky was lured, though, by a growing private school community at Mounds Park Academy where he has been the AD for the past 28 years.

His wife, Debbie, still works at Breck, which Kordosky, jokes makes for an interesting time at their Eagan household when Mounds Park Academy faces the Mustangs in an Independent Metro Athletic Conference contest.

“You come into a job as an AD all full of energy and ideas,” he said. “But then you have to gear back a bit, and tackle the things you know are manageable. You realize you are in it for the kids. You are always trying to make things good for them. Winning is great, but it is the impact on kids that makes everything so worthwhile and special.”

Kordosky evidently has hit a home run with many in the Mounds Park Academy student body.

“I think because we are in a small-school setting, he was so much more approachable,” junior Tom Fitzgerald said. “We weren’t afraid or intimidated by him. His door is always open when we need someone to talk to.”

During passing time, Kordosky makes sure he is in the hallways, greeting each of the students by name, providing words of encouragement, asking how a test went, and of course, a trademark fist bump.

“At a small school, it is so important to have a strong AD and Kordo fills that position so well,” said junior Quinn Campbell. “He is always there for the students. I honestly don’t know anyone in this school that doesn’t like to be around him.”

Depth isn’t a word used often at Mounds Park Academy, a school with an enrollment of 203. Kordosky, Mounds Park Academy’s varsity baseball coach for 25 years before retiring six years ago, faced other challenges, too, including cultivating the support of parents. Anytime he was faced with a tough decision, he would always put it in the context first of what was best for the student.

“I discovered early on that the communication piece is so important, not just with our parents, but our coaches as well,” he said. “I continued to preach that we can’t create positive experiences unless we are going to work together. I allowed parents and supporters to have a voice. www.MSHSL.org

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COVER STORY

Above: Greeting students as they process to class is one of Joe Kordosky’s many daily highlights as activities director at Mounds Park Academy.

Left: Joe Kordosky is surrounded by some of his biggest fans at the school during a break in the school day.

Below: In his 28 years as athletic director at Mounds Park Academy, Joe Kordosky has always maintained an open-door policy with students, staff and parents.

He figures his door has been closed just twice in each of those years of service.

“They might not know the dynamics of sports, but I worked hard to educate them on what is good for the entire school community. If they were in it with us, there were fewer issues.

Knowing how to strike a balance made me a better AD.” Boys varsity basketball coach Dan Haase will become the Panthers’ new AD when Kordosky steps aside this summer. Haase has already been shadowing Kordosky to learn his new role.

“I got to do one of the greatest things in education,” Kordosky said. “I got to be their No. 1 fan.”

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Continued from page 23 THEY CALL THIS ONE “FLETCH” It is nearing the noon hour and Fletcher is scurrying down the hallway, not wanting to miss, or be late, for his regularly-scheduled shift of monitoring a lunch session at the Lindstrom-based public school with an enrollment of 1,032.

“Duty calls,” he says smiling as he opens the door. “This is a fun time when I get to see everyone.”

He quickly jokes that if he becomes a professional lunch room monitor in retirement, he will have two golden rules: No sprinkles on cookies or donuts, and no grapes. Why? Very difficult to clean up he says.

As Fletcher goes from table to table during his duties, he stops to chat and share encouragement with senior Alec Cullen and junior Mandy Rochel. Cullen is wearing a tuxedo and Rochel is in a formal dress to promote the One Act Play sectional later that day.

Above: Chisago Lakes activities director Neil Fletcher can’t resist photobombing a shot of One Act Play participants, junior Mandy Rochel, left, and senior Alec Cullen during their lunch break.

Right: An activities director wears many hats and performs countless duties. On this day, Neil Fletcher had mopping duty following lunch.

Below: Neil Fletcher is proud to have been a part of the rich tradition of success in his role as activities director at Chisago Lakes High School.

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His travels for the next 20 minutes include hearing a learning statement from junior Peter Vitalis and making a few passes with a mop. After that, it is back to his office for more administrative duties in the final months of an educational and administrative career that has spanned 35 years.

“I’ve had a lot of stops along the way, and, each and every one of them have been special,” he says. “When you look backward, some people tend to reflect and get nostalgic. When I look back, I smile at the wonderful adventure I was able to take.”

Fletcher, a native of West Fargo, ND, earned his first teaching job in Plainview in 1981. In addition to teaching social studies, he was the head girls basketball coach, helped with the football team and taught driver’s education.

He spent his third year in teaching as a longtime substitute in Mahtomedi before landing at Forest Lake in 1984 where he taught and coached basketball. In 1985, he coached boys basketball at Columbia Heights while still teaching at Forest Lake.

Prior to the 1989-90 college basketball season, he interviewed with University of Minnesota men’s basketball coach Clem Haskins for an assistant position before pulling out of consideration because of the time it would take away from his family. Instead that season, he served as an assistant coach to Erv Inniger at North Dakota State Then came a five-year stay in Buffalo as a teacher and coach before taking the AD job at North Branch. He was the AD for the Vikings for six years before taking over that post at Blaine, a high school with an enrollment of more than 2,500.

“It was really something staggering to go from North Branch with an enrollment of about 900 to about three times that,” he said. “It was like ‘Whoa!’ I had to get the stars out of my eyes when I stepped into the bigger-school setting. When those went away, it was time to get to work and be all I could be to be an effective, impactful leader.”

In 2012, Fletcher accepted the AD job at Chisago Lakes, replacing the retiring Perry Aadland.

The move brought Fletcher 12 miles from his home in North Branch.

Fletcher has loved the academic and activities environments he’s been in during his professional career, and is specifically appreciative of the idea that a public school welcomes everybody.

“The public school setting and I have meshed beautifully over the years,” Fletcher said. “I’ve always seen the school as the centerpiece of a community, sort of like a downtown. I’ve always had that Norman Rockwell look at the community.

I’ve always been lucky in the schools I’ve served.

The community has embraced what we’ve done and were excited about our kids.”

Fletcher acknowledges that Chisago Lakes Area High School is made up of five towns, but really, he says, it is one community.

“Everyone knows when there is a concert or game going on here,” he said. “This is the place to be on many nights in this community.”

Vitalis believes he speaks for many of his classmates when he expresses deep appreciation of Fletcher’s guidance and leadership at Chisago Lakes.

“He is very supportive of us, and as a result, our school flourishes,” Vitalis said. “He is kind and outgoing. We have a lot of fun in rewarding ways. He established great things with our leadership programs and he brought kids together. I think I have changed and grown so much with Fletch as my AD.” Certainly, challenges existed for Fletcher in his administrative roles, but he chooses not to dwell on them. He says he is process-oriented in times of conflict, specifically saying he doesn’t react to petitions. www.MSHSL.org

4/10/17 9:40 AM

COVER STORY “I am too dumb to notice the really tough challenges,” he says with a smile. “When you have tough experiences, you might be sleepless for a month, but you still learn.

Those terrible experiences made me a better AD. “We’ve done a lot with our coaches to help them recognize what is important. Our purpose is that we value everyone. If it is an all-state punter or a fourth-string lineman, we value both individuals the same. We have been successful, too, because we hold coaches accountable to their purpose statements.”

“I am somebody that really cared and somebody that really loved serving. I hope that is remembered. I am an encourager. I see positives even in the most negative of situations. I hope those characteristics will make an impact on the community we served.”

- Neil Fletcher, Chisago Lakes Athletic Director Chisago Lakes girls varsity basketball coach Craig Walker said Fletcher’s insistence on redefining purpose has been key to positive experiences.

“He focuses on less me, more team and community,” Walker said. “That goes a long way to bringing a school, a team and a community together. He put students first and athletics second. He got coaches to understand that as well.”

Fletcher’s plan for retirement is simple: Work less, serve more. He is hopeful of developing a curriculum that will assist first-year AD’s as they begin their administrative journeys.

“I think I’ve still got plenty to offer,” he said. “There were days when I’d ask, ‘Why in the heck am I here?’ That goes away pretty quick, though, because the 90 million reasons that make you stay are so good.”

A SALUTE TO SERVICE

TEST YOUR MSHSL TRIVIA WITH OUR QUICKIE QUIZ

1.

In 2012 and 2014, what historic firsts occurred with MSHSL activities?

2.

In 2011, Fairmont’s Sarah Bankson accomplished what feat?

3.

What historic milestone did Kate Smith of Detroit Lakes achieve in 2016?

4.

What prestigious award was established in 1988?

5.

When did the boys' and girls' golf tournaments move to a three-class format?

6.

What track and field state record was set in 1973 and is a mark that still stands?

7.

What was unique about the 1965 state track and field meet being held at Macalester College in St. Paul?

8.

What Little Falls legend led the Flyers to an undefeated season, including the 1957 baseball state championship?

9.

Who was the first girls' golf champion?

Here are the activities directors that are retiring following the 2016-17 school year. Listed are their years in education and years served as an activities director.

NAME

SCHOOL

YEARS

AD

Jeff Annis

Maple River

34

19

Brian Benson

St. Michael-Albertville

30

13

Jim Burns

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton

42

31

Kerry Biddle

Virginia

40

11

Neil Fletcher

Chisago Lakes

35

15

Tim Herrmann

White Bear Lake

43

15

Rory Johnson

Proctor

38

11

Joe Kordosky

Mounds Park Academy

40

31

Nancy Newcomb

Climax-Fisher

22

3

Terry Ogorek

Kittson Central

35

29

Marv Peters

Rochester Lourdes

44

43

David Schulte

LaCrescent

37

13

Darrel Ulferts

SW Minnesota Christian

45

31

10. Who holds the single-game record for stolen bases in a softball state tournament?

Answers on page 27 25

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NEWS & FEATURES

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

Participation in extracurricular activities is an incredible way for students to grow into tomorrow’s leaders.

We wanted to find out about that growth, so we posed this question:

“How has your participation in activities helped you develop into a leader?”

HANNA DEGEN | Brainerd High School, senior “Students who are fortunate enough to be involved in athletic activities gain much more than just physical strength, agility and health; they gain perspective. Athletes learn that being part of a team is to be a part of something greater than yourself. I am immeasurably grateful that I have been afforded this opportunity. Playing sports has impacted my life in ways I never could have imagined, and has given me the necessary tools for greater success. Participating in athletics has helped me learn how to be an effective and efficient leader. I have discovered that being a leader is more than just giving direction to others, a leader is someone who is self-confident, passionate, a two-way communicator and who isn’t afraid of failure. A leader is someone who can listen and accept criticism, and take the suggestions of others. A leader seeks to make everyone around them better. I believe that being a leader is the single-most important skill I have learned.

Basketball and softball have helped me grow in confidence in myself which has helped me become not just a better athlete, but a better person. I am passionate about what I am doing and I have discovered that being passionate about something is contagious. Athletic participation has shown me that when you are excited about your actions and believe in yourself, you can pass that passion on to others. I have also discovered that the rewards of applying oneself, believing in oneself and believing in what you are doing transcends sports and applies to

other areas of my life. Athletics has taught me never to give up or give in. It has taught me the value of helping others find their own self confidence and the rewards of those actions is beyond measure. My time as an athlete has also vastly improved my skills as a communicator. It helped me understand that to be an effective leader of my team I must be an effective communicator. Communication is a two-way street; effective, responsible leaders understand that they must be both the messenger for their coaches and also an advocate for their team. Strong leaders are able to “play the middle man” by being a reliable surrogate for the coach and a trusted member of the team. Finally, participating in sports has enabled me to stand firmly against any challenge. Loss and adversity are part of life, and they are often the best opportunities for individual growth. Being an athlete provides you the ability to see the big picture and embrace those opportunities. There are so many times you go into the games you aren’t supposed to win. A lot of times you feel like not even trying because you are scared of failure but the first step in this is to believe.

You will never know what you are capable of until you believe in yourself and in your team.

Sports has been a blessing for me. It’s amazing how much has happened over the years and how many life lessons I have learned. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to not only have played basketball and softball, but to be a Warrior.”

ROBERT ANIGBOGU | North St. Paul High School, senior “Participation in activities has helped me develop into a leader by exposing me to new experiences and new ways of thinking and communicating. When I am involved in an activity, I have the opportunities to meet and work with people from all walks of life toward a common goal or objective. At times, it may be difficult to collaborate with these individuals, but that is the benefit of being in activities. It exposes me

to real life situations, and I must work to overcome these differences. Being able to overcome differences takes communications, commitment, empathy, and honesty, which are all characteristic that make a great leader. These are the kind of experiences I received by participating in activities throughout my high school career, which all helped bring out the leader in me.”

STEVEN NAH | Rochester Century High School, sophomore “I tell my teammates this simple statement: ‘Follow your dreams regardless of the situation, and you will go far.’ ”

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NEWS & FEATURES

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

MSHSL QUICKIE QUIZ ANSWERS JACOB McNAMARA | Goodhue High School, senior “Being involved with many different activities has shaped me into the person that I am today. I have met many people through my activities and I believe that it has made me a much more confident person. My activities have taught me to work hard and to never give up. That message has been a driving force for me and has made me into a leader. I believe that to be a leader you first have to give respect in order to receive it. With being involved in a variety of activities, I have been in a multitude of situations with the ability to lead. I try to handle each trial in the same way: staying calm and collected while providing motivational words to the people with me.”

Questions found on page 25 1.

In 2012, the League becomes the first state association to sponsor Robotics. Two years later, the League is first to sanction Clay Target.

2.

She became Minnesota’s first fourtime state champion in speech.

3.

She became the first golfer to win five individual state championships.

4.

The Triple “A” Award. The honor recognizes excellence by a senior in academics, arts and athletics.

5.

2008

6.

Rod Raver, Rochester John Marshall, high jump, 7 feet, 1 inch

7.

The venue featured a new rubberized track. The result?

Seven new records were set.

8.

Pitcher Tony Kerick, a right-hander that struck out 33 batters in three state tournament games. He ended his senior season 15-0 and averaged 10 strikeouts per game.

9.

Kathy Williams, LaCrescent, 1977

HANNAH SCHWARTZ | Eastview High School, senior “My participation in activities has given me the opportunity to learn many characteristics important to achievement. I've enjoyed the support and camaraderie of my coaches, teammates, and peers, and throughout my years of involvement in my sports, clubs, and church activities, I have acquired the confidence and knowledge which has made me feel comfortable in taking a vocal leadership role. In addition to this type of leadership, the dedication and strong character that I've developed from my participation has helped me become a leader in my everyday life.”

PHINEA ROMERO | Rochester Century High School, senior “One of the most important leadership skills I’ve learned through activities is time management and responsibility. Being on a team means that there are other people depending on you to focus and do your job as an athlete. It forces you to rise to the occasion and do your best every time. Without athletics, I wouldn’t have learned true determination and perseverance that I use every day to motivate myself and others. Being on the dance team gave me a connection to a younger group of girls that I would have never met otherwise and allowed me to lead them and help them to be better in not just dance, but in life and as a person as well.”

KAIA PORTER | Roseville Area High School, senior “Athletics have made me stronger not just physically, but mentally too. I have learned the importance of resilience, determination, and toughness when working towards a goal in any aspect of life. This was especially true when I tore my ACL freshman year. I have been able to foster my leadership skills and my ability to work well with others through sports as well.”

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10. Jenni Thesing, Houston, 2000, 5

27

4/10/17 9:40 AM

Getting student athletes back into play No student athlete should try to “walk it off” after an injury. Connecting with the right care provider right after an injury is essential. Our professional staff provides athletic injury care to high school and adult athletes at 31 clinic locations throughout the metro area.

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: •

Physical Therapy

•

Injury Evaluation

•

Athletic Training

•

Chiropractic Care

•

Hand Therapy

VISIT athleticmedicine.org/InTheGame

|

CALL 612-672-7100 to make an appointment.

24-HOUR INJURY HOTLINE: 952-920-8850

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4/10/17 9:40 AM

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

EXTREME CARE REQUIRED FOR ON-SITE HEAD, NECK INJURIES W

e received this letter from a concerned parent: This past Saturday, I was at my stepson’s hockey game. A player was hit against the boards (it was a clean hit), and immediately passed out. The ref called for the medical person (Certified Athletic Trainer), who was with the player, who was out (unconscious) for about 90 seconds, so a couple of other parents and I, who are nurses and doctors, went on the ice to check and see if the person there needed help. We did a neuro-assessment and determined that the player had a concussion.

The problem is that when he came to, he started thrashing around, because he wanted to move since we were protecting his c-spine holding him. We waited for the EMTs to show up and take him to be evaluated, but my point is: if he had an injury (neck injury), we did not have a c-collar available to put on him. I strongly would encourage you to add that to your kit available for use.

As a hospital nurse, I was horrified at how helpless I felt on that ice. This is not the first time I had to go on the ice to check an injured player. And trust me, every time I look around and wish there was a back board and a c-collar to get that kid off the ice.

Please consider adding that to every hockey arena.

I am sure they aren’t cheap, but safety ought to come first.

Thank you for your letter; here are our thoughts as representatives of the League’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee: The medical providers on site at high school events are usually Certified Athletic Trainers who are trained in initial emergency response. A physician is also present at state tournament competitions. A cervical collar is not used in isolation for a suspected cervical spine injury because the collar does not adequately immobilize the neck for transporting an athlete with a suspected neck injury. Emergency protocol does not allow the player to be moved until he or she are secured on a backboard with their head immobilized. Applying the cervical collar on the ice without training and practice has the potential to do more harm than good.

The protocol followed by our athletic trainers and physicians covering MSHSL events is very clear for a suspected neck injury www.MSHSL.org

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Sports Medicine

By Dr. William Roberts

Sports Medicine

By Dr. MIchael Stuart

and focuses on the high priority pre-hospital trauma issues: call for help, manually immobilize the head and neck, check the airway and breathing, do not move the athlete, do not worry about delaying the game, assist the emergency medical response team with the spine board and neck collar application (if needed), and transfer the athlete off the field of play to the designated emergency department.

Although I carry a cervical collar in my emergency field kit, I would not use it without a backboard in this situation. A collar alone creates a false sense of security and may be very dangerous to apply if you are not doing this regularly in the field. The risk is higher on ice where the traction is poor and a slip or fall could result in spinal cord injury. We clearly appreciate help from the stands when needed, but the best care in this situation was to manually immobilize as the ATC did and wait for EMS to arrive, package, and transport.

In short, we wait for the experts to do the job correctly, the pre-hospital field care is very different from the hospital and the EMS crews are experienced field responders.

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ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

Thank you and “Lead On”

I

am writing what likely will be my last column for the Bulletin.

For those who are not aware, I will be moving to a part-time position with the League, beginning in August. I would like to express my appreciation and leave you with some final thoughts.

There are many individuals to whom I am thankful for in helping me become who I am—there are too many to mention by name. Among them, my parents, coaches, teachers, and mentors, and the many teachers, coaches, and administrators I have had the opportunity to work with in more than 43 years in education. I’ve been very fortunate to work with, and for, many outstanding individuals.

I want to especially thank Dave Stead; my fellow Associate Directors, Lisa Lissimore, Craig Perry and Jody Redman; my Assistant Amanda Johnson, and the remainder of the MSHSL Staff.

Your assistance and support have been critical and is valued.

I also want to thank the many coaches, ADs and officials from across Minnesota, and the many MSHSL Board members with whom I’ve had the opportunity to work. Minnesota is blessed to have so many outstanding individuals working in these positions.

Every day, I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work for the MSHSL. As I shared when I first started with the League, I love high school sports and I love the state of Minnesota, so I am truly appreciative of having had the opportunity to serve the MSHSL’s member schools. While there are times when I have failed, I have always tried to approach this position as one of service—to the ADs, coaches, officials, and community members; and especially students.

Most importantly, a huge thank you to my family. My wife, Candy, daughter Lauren and sons, Josh and Jake. In the type of positions that I have held, their support is critical. They have been gracious in allowing me to serve others—many times at their expense. Although I tried my best to not allow that to happen often, I’m sure there were too many times where I failed. So, thank you, and forgive me.

As I step down from being as actively involved, I encourage you to provide strong leadership for high school activities; especially those of you who are coaches and administrators. I learned many years ago that both coaching and being an administrator is a mix of management and leadership. Managing is critical: planning practices, ordering equipment, scheduling games, hiring officials, making sure that there is enough popcorn for the concession stand, etc. You won’t last long as a coach, AD or Administrator if you don’t take care of the management tasks. However, while management, in and of itself can be a full-time job, you must also lead. Leadership is more difficult and because you get so busy managing, you must be very intentional about taking the time to lead. You need to be a leader for the students you coach or administer; for the coaches you direct; for your parents, and for your community.

I share two examples. First, when we recently developed the pitch-count policy, some of the concern expressed by coaches and ADs was “what about youth sports?” The feeling is that we can have pitch counts for our school programs, but we cannot control what happens in the offseason, so why bother? While we cannot control youth sports, we can provide the leadership to help change that culture. In this example, we need to educate parents and players about arm care, pitch counts, rest, conditioning, etc. We need to educate our players, parents, youth sport coaches and youth sport leaders.

We need to become the experts in our community and not be afraid to speak up and provide leadership to create change.

This is a responsibility of coaches and administrators.

The second example revolves around football and the changes that have been made to make the game safer. Who 30

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By Kevin Merkle, Associate Director

better to educate youth sport leaders, coaches, and parents on these issues than coaches and administrators? Education on concussions and concussion management, leadership with regard to length of practices, amount of contact and the age at which tackle football should begin, are all topics on which “we” need to become the experts and provide leadership. High school coaches and administrators are in a position to make a difference. You may not have control, but you have influence—often more times more than you think. Educate yourself, become an expert, take advantage of opportunities that arise, and create opportunities to share your expertise.

There are many other areas where leadership is needed: sports specialization; keeping our programs in perspective; keeping the focus on life lessons; creating the culture for your programs to be successful; parent education; coaches’ education; etc.

Many of us want to do something that makes a difference, but we tend to focus on that which will make a big difference. This can be difficult and therefore discouraging. I have found that most of the time it is not one, two, or three “big things” that are needed. More often, it’s many small things that add up to make a big difference. You are all capable of doing those small things.

During the 43 years that I have been in education, I have tried to provide leadership. I know that I fell short (especially when I first started); and I have failed many times along the way. However, I hope that as my career progressed, I have been able to provide a higher level of leadership. That comes from experience, and having the opportunity to be in positions that provided opportunity for influence.

I will conclude with a short story that you may have heard.

This is a story that I shared with student leaders when I was an activities director, and a picture and saying in regard to this story is in my office.

“A man was walking along the beach one day after a storm and noticed all of the starfish that had washed up on the shore. The starfish were dying as they lay on the sand. As the man looked up he saw a young boy nearby, who picked up a starfish and threw it gently back into the sea. The boy then picked up another starfish and threw it back, and then another and another. The man said to the boy, “What are you doing?” The boy replied, “I’m throwing the starfish back into the water before they die.” The man replied, “But there are miles of beach and thousands and thousands of starfish. You cannot possibly make a difference. It’s impossible to save them all.” The boy then picked up another starfish, threw it into the ocean, looked at the man and said, “To that one, it made all of the difference.”

Our efforts can, and do, make a difference. Please continue to provide leadership that will make a difference.

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to serve. As I continue in a very part-time role, I look forward to continuing to nurture and build relationships, and to contribute in a way that will make a difference. www.MSHSL.org

4/10/17 9:40 AM

OFFICIALS

MSHSL Associate Director Kevin Merkle, left, is flanked by the recipients of officials awards during the boys' basketball state tournament on March 25 at Target Center. From left, Ed Bova of Northwest Umpires, Brooklyn Park’s Michelle Schneider, Rochester’s Paul Fishbaugher, St. Paul’s Jim Robinson, Robbinsdale’s Greg Swan, St. Paul’s Dick Eldridge, Fridley’s Ron Ackerman, and Tristan and Shirley Severson of Plainview.

Minnesota Prep Photo / www.MNPrepPhoto.com

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

OFFICIALS AWARDS 2017 G

ame officials are extremely important—without officials there are no games. The Officials Awards program is sponsored

by Wells Fargo, and 2017 marks the eighth year of honoring our Associations and key individuals. These awards were presented during the Boys Basketball State Tournament. Thanks to all Officials Associations for the service they provide to our member schools.

The most prestigious award recognizes one association for the overall quality and service. The 2017 Association Award of Excellence was presented to the Gold Country Wrestling Officials Association. This 80-member group is celebrating its 38th year of serving our member schools. They were presented a Citation Award in 2014 for their mentoring program that provides extensive training for both mentors and mentees. Gold Country provides excellent training at the annual clinic that has been held since 1995. In addition, they actively recruit new officials, and provide services to youth wrestling in addition to the 1,100 school matches that they cover annually. Congratulations to the Gold Country Wrestling Official’s Association, recipient of the 2017 Association Award of Excellence.

The Citation Award is given annually to recognize associations for a specific program that has had a significant impact on their Association or on officiating. The 2017 Citation Award was presented to the Northwest Association of Umpires, honored for their efforts in Mentoring officials. Perhaps the best way to retain officials is through a mentorship. NWAU mentors are carefully selected, must meet a variety of qualifications and are assigned a specific set of responsibilities. This program has been critical in retaining and developing quality umpires. This detailed program has earned the Northwest Association of Umpires the 2017 Citation Award.

Distinguished Service Awards The following individuals received the distinguished service award which recognizes those individuals who go “Above and Beyond” in their service to their local officials’ association.

The first honoree, from the St. Paul Capital City Official’s Association was Dick Eldridge. Dick has been a League Official and a member of the Association for 39 years officiating Football, Basketball and Track. Dick has served the Association in many roles including President, Basketball Assignor, Treasurer and coordinator

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75177_SpringBulletin.indd 31

for rules meetings and the annual Association dinner. Dick has worked at the State Tournament level in all three sports.

The next honoree was Paul Fishbaugher of Rochester. Paul has been a key leader with the Southern Minnesota Wrestling Officials Association, over the past 17 years. Paul has been a Board Member and the leader of training and mentoring new officials, developing an exceptionally strong program in this area. Paul has focused on serving others while being an elite official at the state level.

Jim Robinson of St. Paul, a basketball and football official who provided distinguished service to both the St. Paul and Minneapolis Officials Associations. Jim served on the MOA Board of Directors, including the role of President. The first African-American official to work in the State Tournament in 1968, Jim continues to mentor, train and supervise basketball officials, and has been a positive influence on countless officials for more than 50 years.

The next recipient was Michelle Schneider of Brooklyn Park. Both a volleyball and an Adapted Sports official for more than 20 years, Michelle has provided most of her service in Adapted Athletics, where she has been the head rules clinician and assignor for Softball since 2006. Michelle has officiated more than 1,000 events, including state championships in Volleyball and all Adapted Sports.

From the Rochester Association, Dearal “Buck” Severson, of Plainview. Unfortunately, Buck passed away in 2013 and was represented by his wife Shirley. Buck was a member of the Association for 52 years, serving many years as either President or Vice President, while mentoring countless officials. Buck officiated football, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball, and was still actively officiating when he passed.

The final recipient of the Distinguished Service Award was Greg Swan of Robbinsdale, a 41-year member of the Gopher State Officials Association. Greg has been a leader in the association, having served on the Board for 12 years. He officiated basketball, and was a top football referees working numerous State Championship games. Since retiring Greg continues to serve as a trainer and observer.

A special Congratulations to all of the 2017 Distinguished Service Award Winners —thank you for your service to Minnesota students, and the MSHSL member schools!

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OFFICIALS

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

FROM THE SIDELINE

By Jason Nickleby, Coordinator of Officials

HOUSTON, WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM! I f you tuned into the Big Game in early February, most of you saw the usual Doritos or Pepsi commercials and the elaborate choreography of the National Anthem and halftime show.

What I saw was one of the best performances in officiating history. As an official, I would have been proud of their performance, regardless of the outcome.

Having two Minnesotans as part of the officiating crew made it so special and memorable. Jeff Seeman, Mike Spanier and their crew put on a performance for the ages. They didn’t perform that way by accident. The crew remained calm while everyone else was losing their minds as a result of decades of practice and preparation. Their officiating journeys began on muddy fields in Willmar and Bemidji with many memorable stops along the way, including their assignment at Super Bowl LI. Seeman was a line judge on the crew and Spanier was the alternate line of scrimmage official.

I was fortunate to visit with Jeff and Mike to discuss their officiating journeys, what skills they developed along the way and how high school officiating has fit into the fabric of the careers.

What is the timeline of your officiating career to this point?

Seeman: “I began working high school basketball with my dad (Jerry Seeman) and Bernie Kukar in the mid-80’s. I actually didn’t start working high school football until later in 1990. Shortly after, I started working some small college games for the MIAC, NSIC and NCC. I worked high school football Jeff Seeman until I got into the Big Ten in 1999.

I was fortunate to be hired by the NFL in 2002. I continued to work small college basketball until a few years ago.”

Spanier: “I started my officiating career while attending college, which included officiating intramural football, basketball and city league basketball. After college graduation, I taught and coached multiple sports for six years at the varsity level and some officiating when time allowed.

While working high school, I started Mike Spanier advancing to collegiate football and basketball. I eventually had the opportunity to advance to (Division II) North Central Conference in both basketball and football. After several years, I was selected by the Big Ten for both basketball and football. I continued to work Big Ten basketball for ten years, but the extensive travel became difficult to officiate D-I; a professional sport and focus on my career as an educational administrator, so I decided to resign from the Big Ten basketball staff and focus on the NFL and local small college basketball. I just completed my 18th year in NFL.” 32

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Do you remember your first varsity game and what was the most memorable moment?

Seeman: “My first varsity football game was at Willmar in 1990.

It was cold, about 38 degrees and raining. It was about as miserable weather as you can get. I worked the line of scrimmage and my crew was Craig Graffender, Roy Ward and Roy Wirth. Funny thing is I remember how much I made: $41.50! Amazing that I stuck with it. I worked high school football for eight years including a state tournament assignment with Dave Meslow (a fellow NFL official), Mike Karnas, Don Hockman, and Craig Graffender.

Great memories! I remember my last basketball game which I worked with John Yorkovich’s son, Brad. John worked with my dad in his last basketball game. It’s amazing how connected this business can be and the relationships that you build.”

Spanier: “During my first year of teaching at Bemidji, the local association was short of officials and a fellow staff member knew I had some interest in officiating and took me with him to work a varsity game. There was a sizable crowd and I remembered the anxiety settling in when he told me I was responsible for the opening ball toss because he was terrible at it! My first varsity football game came the following year when I took a teaching position in St. Cloud. It was a three-person crew in a small town near St. Cloud for a Friday afternoon game. Things have changed a little bit since then.”

What do you miss most about working high school games?

Seeman: “I miss the camaraderie with the guys, banter with the fans, the coaches, and trying to keep the halftime popcorn out of your whistle! You build relationships with coaches, people involved with athletics and other officials. When you are at other levels, you don’t get to see your fellow officials other than the clinic.”

Continued on page 34

Rule Changes for Fall Sports Fall sport coaches and officials are encouraged to be aware of the rule changes in their sports. The National Federation has completed that annual process for fall sports, and the results can be found on the MSHSL website or through either your Coach’s Clipboard or Official’s Corner page. Go to your individual sport information and select the link to the news release from the NFHS. Look for “2017 Rule Changes.”

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OFFICIALS

NEWS&NOTES  Officials Registration for 2017-18:  Opens in early May. Registration information will be

emailed to currently registered officials the first week in May. If you do not receive the email/information

by May 15 be sure to contact the MSHSL office. The deadline for returning officials to register, without a late fee, is July 1, 2017. Those interested in becoming an official may indicate their interest by clicking on the “Become an Official” logo that is toward the bottom of the MSHSL home page.

FINAL WHISTLE “Sometimes you have to disconnect to stay connected.

Remember the old days when you had eye contact during a conversation? When everyone wasn't looking down at a device in their hands? We've become so focused on that tiny screen that we forget the big picture, the people right in front of us.”

- Regina Brett After spending a long season out officiating or attending games as a fan, or mixing in work obligations, there isn’t a lot of downtime. Make the most of it! Connect with your significant other or your kids. Do something with them, make them feel special. They take a back seat to our officiating commitments on occasion and they deserve our attention when we are home.

During the season and especially the off-season, make your family and friends a priority. When our relationships are strong with those that love and support us, everything in our life will benefit.

You commit so much to the programs of the League, for which our member schools thank you! Make that same commitment to your family and friends, you will become a better spouse, parent, friend and official as a result.

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

need to keep them! If you are a veteran official, reach out to these new folks to connect with them. Officials with mentors are more likely to stick around for the long haul.



THANK YOU! To the following schools and their Athletic/Activities Administrator for assisting the MSHSL by hosting Training Clinics for Spring Sport officials during February, March and April: Michael Kautzman Troy Sagdalen Kelley Scott Nick Tibesar Cullen Bahn John Clark, Jr. Gary Revenig Phil Kuemmel Bryan Munter Nick Rathmann Norm Gallant Joseph Hedervare

Academy of Holy Angels Columbia Heights High School Coon Rapids High School Holy Family Catholic High School Jordan High School Mahnomen High School Monticello High School Park High School Tartan High School The Blake School Wadena-Deer Creek High School Waseca High School

Through their efforts and the use of their facilities we were able to train more than 550 officials for the spring sports season in Baseball, Softball, Boys' Lacrosse and Track and Field.

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There were more clinic opportunities offered in 2016-17 than ever before. There will be additional opportunities this summer leading up to the 2017-18 season. We encourage you to give one of these opportunities a try!

As of this printing, we have 800 new registered officials  for the 2016-17 season. This is fantastic! However, we

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TRAINING CLINICS

Congratulations to all those selected to work at the winter state tournaments that commenced with Dance Team and finished with an exciting Boys’ Basketball tournament. I look forward to seeing our officials out working in the spring.

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Reminder: You MUST bring the printed ID or a device with the ID on it to EVERY varsity contest. Officials need to be proactive and show the ID to someone at the site without a request. The AD’s/site person/coach still needs to check at the site as we have last minute replacements.

The deadlines to complete online meetings and exams are posted on Official’s Corner. Please plan ahead to complete these items on time. The ID cannot be printed without completing all of the required items.

If officials want to be considered for advancement in the Level System, officials must apply on Official’s Corner. The system does not automatically apply for you after a certain number of ratings or years worked. Officials should document all experience and references in their application.

Beginning this spring, we are looking to expand online observation documents and electronic communications on performance.

Please reach out to leaders in your Association if you are interested in applying for a stipend to cover registration to attend the NASO Summit in Louisville, KY. We have continued with the expansion of the Charter/ Legacy program. Associations have really focused on what they can do to improve the officiating experience for their members and for the member schools of the League. Encourage your Association to get involved in the Charter/Legacy program if they have not done so.

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Continued from page 32 Spanier: “The camaraderie of friends and people you see more frequently than advanced league crews. I miss the postgame chats around refreshments and pizza. Also, there is nothing like the excitement of Friday night football!”

What advice would you give to yourself if you were able to go back in time?

Seeman: “I would work harder to develop a relationship with coaches and try to engage them more. There was too much avoidance of conflict, which is common for younger officials. As the years go by, easier to strike up a dialogue with both coaches and players. It is an experience thing, but I would definitely work on that skill if I could go back in time.”

Spanier: “I would spend more time on rules. I spend a lot of time on them now, but you don’t realize how important the rules are when you are a newer official. I would also worry less and not focus on things you can’t control such as advancement or your schedule.”

What are some skills that you have developed from officiating that you have used in your career or as a parent?

Seeman: “A big skill that I developed in officiating that translates to the work environment is time management and planning. You have to devote time to rules study, film review or other requirements from your respective league. These same skills allow you to be an effective employee as well. In officiating, you want to do a good job at all aspects. This obviously translates to your career as well. If you are successful in officiating, you are probably successful in your career as well. Managing your time and resources are skills that allow you to be successful in both.”

Spanier: “Many skills are transferable from officiating to your personal and work life. Valuable skills that I have developed over the years include patience, be a good listener, consistency (fairness), problem solving, the ability to compromise and soothing folks that are upset versus inciting them. Players, coaches, teachers and students see how you handle situations and it is important that they see me as approachable.”

Photos courtesy of Jeff Seeman

Photos courtesy of Mike Spanier

What values/skills did you learn as a How did officiating basketball help high school official that you still use you as a football official? today in the NFL? Seeman: “As a basketball official, you Seeman: “It seems like an obvious stateget used to making calls over and over, ment, but skills that I started to develop constantly making decisions. You have to included good judgment and confidence process what you are seeing, and decide in the skill set that you have so you can in a small amount of time on whether to help your crew when they need it. Going whistle or don’t whistle. In football, you along with that, I learned about being a have to make two or three critical decisions good crew guy. In a four-person crew, we per game, where you make 50 in basketball. needed partner/crew trust that you would When you need to make a decision that step up when needed. I use those skills every everyone is looking to, it is huge to have that game in NFL. You develop good judgment ability to make the command decision on and confidence with experience, but they the spot that the game needs. I want to be on are skills that I started to develop back in the football field with as many basketball my high school officiating days that I still officials as possible because they have the use today.” skills set necessary to be successful at a high level.”

Spanier: “There are so many things you learn as a high school official that benefit Spanier: “Basketball helped to me stay in you at any level. These include: be a great shape as it had different physical demands communicator, never forget where you came which complemented/balanced me. WorkMike Spanier, center, worked in the Big Ten from (family and people that helped you ing basketball also helped with refinement Conference as a basketball official for 10 years. along the way), be patient with players and of my overall officiating skills. We need to coaches, control the things you can control slow down when we make our calls and (weight, rules knowledge, etc.), build friendships and networks, working basketball allowed me to process plays at a good pace don’t be envious of others, seek out mentors (have a mentor at every and maintain focus for longer periods of time. As a result, I am level), let the game come to you and get the ‘Big Ones.’ They seem mentally sharp when the game is on the line and the tough call like clichés, but they have been so valuable to me beginning in needs to be made.” high school officiating and continuing in my role with the NFL.” As officials, we all have goals.

Your goal could be working that first varsity game or working a section game. Perhaps working a state One of Jeff Seeman’s fondest high school officiating memories was working with this crew during the 1996 championship or advancing to a higher level. Jeff and football state tournament. From left, Craig Graffender, Mike Karnas, Seeman, Don Hockman and Dave Meslow.

Mike had no idea where their careers would go, and on that first night, I’m sure they didn’t anticipate that their officiating journeys would reach the world’s biggest sports stage.

They are a testament to the phrase, ‘If you work hard enough, you can achieve what you want to achieve.’ A big thanks to Mike and Jeff for connecting with me for this column. They didn’t do it for me. They did it because officiating high school sports was important to them and giving back to MSHSL officials is more important.

Houston put on a great show, something we hope to emulate in Minnesota in 2018. The officials have their work cut out for them to meet the standard set by this crew, but I’m sure they are up to the task. Jeff, Mike and the crew made us all proud to be officials, but they made us all even more proud to be from Minnesota. It was obvious that, in Houston, we didn’t have a problem!

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IN THE MAIL

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

IN THE MAIL

Generosity, class displayed during rivalry game

Veteran official reflects on positive outstate assignment

The following was sent to League Staff from Milaca girls' basketball coach Dave Leom.

Hi Mark,

I've read about the ways coaches from opposing schools help another school. I think each of those coaches must be lucky to have an opportunity to experience what high school athletics can really showcase—sportsmanship, competition, athletic-capability and lifelong learning. These moments are unique, and I never thought I would be put into a position to experience the epitome of competition. This past (week), I witnessed one such act.

Our girls' basketball game went on as scheduled against our Granite Ridge Conference rival, Mora.

During the JV game, I was told that the head coach from Mora, Brandon Ostien, was donating the proceeds of his halftime fundraiser to one of our coaches, Cory Ploeger.

Cory was recently admitted to the hospital for a lung infection, and he was not doing well at the time.

This kind of selfless act, during a basketball season, and against a team each loves to beat, made everyone pause and remind us that it is just a game.

While the scoreboard showed one winner that night, there was already a winner before the game even began. Thank you, Brandon for your generosity, class, and showing everyone in attendance that night that the game can be a vehicle to show lifelong learning.

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This note was sent to the League Office by Rochester Century AD Mark Kuisle.

On Saturday morning, I was out and about doing errands before a game later in the day. Suddenly a public service announcement airs on the radio. The radio ad was a first-person account from a guy that had a fantastic high school athletic experience, but the colleges and pros just didn’t come calling. That made me chuckle.

The ad continued to share information about the value of staying in the game by becoming an athletic official. It spoke of the wonderful opportunity to give back, the excitement of hearing the bands and crowds, and the great camaraderie that comes with officiating.

I felt a shiver down my spine because that was everything about our trip to Rochester the previous evening wrapped into a neat little box.

The travel time, something that many officials complain about, was an absolute blast as we visited, told stories and learned more about one another. (The other crew members were Bryan Kemnetz and Rick Benish, both of Stillwater).

The site administration at Rochester Century was wonderfully helpful, engaging and appreciative that a crew would venture south from the “Big City” to work a game in the Big 9 Conference.

The band was one of the hits of the night! They were loud and talented in sound and big in energy and spirit. Their support and sportsmanship resonated and left quite a positive impression.

After our assignment, we got a bite to eat before heading north. We were greeted with warmth and laughter by fans that attended the game and folks that echoed their appreciation of what we do in providing a service to member schools of the Minnesota State High School League.

Discussion on the return trip was equally festive and educational as we shared tidbits of the game that we can pay forward to other officials. When we arrived back to our meeting spot, there was a sense of reward, one of those “a-ha’ moments that come with the completion of a fantastic experience.

We don’t always have those moments in this avocation of officiating. When we do, they are certainly special, ones that will forever bring an affirmative smile.

Thank you for having us at Rochester Century High School.

Tim Leighton Minneapolis Officials Association

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IN THE MAIL

IN THE MAIL

Singing Referees This anecdote was sent to the League Office by a basketball fan at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School.

During the pregame of a Saturday afternoon game in mid-January between visiting Minneapolis South and Benilde-St. Margaret’s, the site staff was having difficulty with the playing of the National Anthem over the sound system.

With each team standing at attention, there were several moments of silence as site management worked on the sound system.

We then noticed that the officiating crew for that game— Tim Leighton, Tony Day and John Madsen—looked at one another and smiled. On cue, the three of them began singing the National Anthem a capella. After a line or so, the fans joined in, loud and proud.

At the conclusion, Benilde-St. Margaret’s head boys coach Jon Moore leaned in and said, “Was that you guys? I love it; singing refs!”

Wayzata coach praised for calming fans This note was sent to the League Office by Wayzata AD Jaime Sherwood following the Section 6AAAA girls basketball championship game.

Your coach (Mike Schumacher) not only coached a GREAT game, he also took it upon himself to quiet some of the Wayzata fans who were very vocal and very demonstrative in the disagreeing with the officials. He turned to the group of Wayzata fans behind their bench and motioned them to calm down both with their physical gestures and their vocal disagreements.

It is very refreshing to see coaches react this way. Please commend him not only for his coaching abilities, but how he handled the situation above.

Dennis Stockmo, Roosevelt High School AD and Section 6AAAA site administrator

Officials take “timeout” for player honor This note was sent by veteran official Matt Gallagher.

Last night, my partner Dave Pearson and I officiated a boys’ varsity basketball game in which a member of the home team scored his 1,000th career point. When we arrived at the school, we were notified of this situation by the head coach of the home team. The home team coach mentioned to us that when this player scored his 1,000th point, he would take a “full" timeout, because the school and team wanted to present him with a special basketball, and for him to have a photo opportunity with his parents on the court.

Dave and I mentioned to the home team coach that when his 1,000th point was scored, that we, the officials, would take an "officials timeout" and stop the game. For this agreement to be complete, we would need to make sure this action was OK’d by the visiting team coach.

After discussion, the visiting team coach was in full agreement. Prior to the game, Dave and I knew that only one point was needed to reach the 1,000-point milestone. So, whenever this player scored, that is when we would stop the game. Approximately four minutes into the game, this milestone was reached. Dave and I stopped the game, and the presentation took place. The presentation lasted approximately 90 seconds, and we resumed the game. We did not know what we had in store for us after this resumption, and we did not know at that time how valuable the home team’s timeout situation would have on the game. At the end of regulation, the game was tied 65-all. The visiting team had utilized its timeouts, and the home team had one "30-second" timeout remaining. Since the visiting team allowed Dave and I to utilize an "officials timeout" for the 1,000-career point presentation, the home team was able to have an additional full timeout for their usage at the end of the game by virtue of the approval of the "officials timeout" for the 1,000-point accomplishment.

The home team ended up converting a couple of free throws to win in the first overtime, however, it was the class and sportsmanship by the visiting team, coaches and fans that Dave and I recall. These 1,000 career-point accomplishments do not happen often, and for the visiting team to have the class to not have the home team utilize an important timeout, in what would be a close and competitive game, is also something that needs to be recognized. These days, society places an emphasis on wins and losses. We will never know the outcome of the game if the home team had to use a "full timeout" for this presentation, however, we do know that class and sportsmanship was learned by all.

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COMMUNICATIONS CORNER

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COMMUNICATIONS CORNER BIALKA, OLSON RECIPIENTS OF MSHSL'S OUTSTANDING MEDIA SERVICE AWARD A

s youths, they ran around the baseball fields of Brainerd, dreaming of someday making it to the Major Leagues. Mike Bialka would end up playing for the Tigers and Craig Olson with the Pirates. In Little League, that is.

That’s about all the closer they would get to the Big Leagues.

The dreams eventually shifted to what do I want to be when I grow up? They shared a common path that time around, too.

Although their paths parted when Olson moved to Detroit Lakes during his high school years, they have converged time and again over the past 40 years as professionals, but those times were as media members.

“It was clear early on that we both wanted to do something professionally that was sports related,” said Olson, who resides in Fergus Falls.

“We knew sports and had a passion for sharing great stories,” said Bialka, who still lives in Brainerd.

They both still do so with the zest of a Little Leaguer.

Olson is in his 44th year as a radio broadcaster. He has covered primarily high school sports in that span, but has also called events at the college and professional level. Bialka is somewhat of a hometown hero. The 1973 Brainerd High School graduate now covers all of the athletic events at his alma mater as sports editor of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch.

For their excellence and commitment to the coverage of activities of the Minnesota State High School League’s member schools, Olson and Bialka were selected the recipients of the League’s Outstanding Media Service Award. Olson was selected in the electronic division and Bialka in the print division. The award is in its third season.

Mastering the airwaves Olson got his start in radio when local station representatives came to his speech class at Detroit Lakes High School to share information about careers and to seek part-time announcers. He couldn’t shake the vision of radio life, being at the microphone and painting a picture with his words for his listeners.

It was 1971 when he got his start as a sophomore in high school. Two years later following graduation, he was hired as the sports director at KDLM. He left for Missouri for three years and three more in Ogden, Utah where he broadcast the Triple A affiliate of the Oakland A’s. Calling games with Rickey Henderson was a highlight.

But Olson and his wife missed their Minnesota roots. They returned in 1981 and has been in Fergus Falls ever since. He is completing his 44th year as a radio sports broadcaster. He estimated he has called more than 5,000 games in his career.

Calling prep sports is his true passion.

“High school is the purest form of athletics,” he said. “They compete to compete, just to play the game. The lessons they learn along the way are amazing. Everyone has the right perspective, that it is for the kids. It is such a joy to call high school athletics.

It is so much a part of me.”

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Photo courtesy of Craig Olson

By Tim Leighton, Communications Coordinator

Veteran radio broadcaster Craig Olson of Fergus Falls estimates he has covered more than 5,000 games in his 44-year career.

In 1999, he dipped his toe into newfangled waters, immersing himself into something called the internet. He developed a website called craigolsonsports.com where he has expanded his high school sports coverage with video and audio.

“I am technologically challenged,” he says with a laugh. “It has become a great niche for me. It was kind of scary at first, but I am really glad I dipped my toe into that water. It has allowed me to expand the coverage of high school sports.”

Olson, whose engaging personality is an immediate hit with listeners, enjoys his craft too much to think about the next chapter of his life.

“This is what I do and I love it,” he said. “There aren’t many people that can say that. I hope people remember me that I was someone that loved what they did and strived to provide positive coverage.”

Hometown reporter Bialka, a 1977 St. Cloud State graduate, pursued radio and television broadcasting when his collegiate baseball career ended.

Those didn’t pan out, he muses, because “I have a face made for the newspaper.”

He got his start at the Crookston Times where he spent eight months as a cub reporter and green editor. An opening at the Brainerd Dispatch drew him back home. He was a staff writer for six years and the past 33 years as the paper’s sports editor.

“It has helped quite a bit that I knew the landscape,” he said. “Coming back home opened the door to a lot of cool things in our coverage. www.MSHSL.org

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COMMUNICATIONS CORNER

Award nominees: Bill Bentson, KFIL Radio, Preston Republican, Chatfield News, Bluff Country Reader; Jim Birkemeyer, R & J Broadcasting; Joe Brown, Red Wing Republican-Eagle; Chad Currier, Mankato Free Press; Tom Elliott, St. Cloud Times; Eric Erickson, Park Bugle; Chris Fee, KROX; Rick Grammond, Pierz, youaretheresports.com; Kyle Gylsen, Craig Olson, left, and Mike Bialka, right, were honored KWAD; Ron Haggstrom, Star Tribune; during the Class AAA championship game on March 25.

Joel Hoover, KBUN; Eric Kraushar, ChasThey were presented their awards by Tim Leighton, the ka Herald; Tom Lano, Fosston radio; Lee League’s Communications Coordinator, center.

Larson, Jackson County radio/newspaper; Herman Lensing, Melrose Beacon; Pat Lund, KTTC-TV, Rochester; Eric Morken, Echo Press; Brad O’Neil, Forest Lake Times/ ECM Publishers; Wayne Powers, CTV Roseville; Paul Raymo, KLQP, Madison; Pat Ruff, Rochester Post-Bulletin; Clay Sawatzke, Monticello Times; John Sherman, Edina Sun Current; Mike Smith, Wabasha Herald; Sheldon Willis, KOZY, Grand Rapids; Barry Wortel, Mankato radio.

HALL OF FAME FLASHBACK In a new feature, we will take a look at the different contributors to League activities that have been enshrined in the MSHSL’s Hall of Fame. We start with a familiar voice.

For 42 years, Bob Reid was heard as the public address announcer at state tournament venues across Minnesota. He worked eight different events and in his more than four decades of service, never missed an assignment. He was inducted into the MSHSL’s Hall of Fame in 2005.

For 37 consecutive years, he called the wrestling state tournament where more than 1,000 matches were held during the annual event. He also did p.a. work for the football, baseball, girls softball, boys’ hockey, and both basketball tournaments.

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BRIEFLY The MSHSL Hall of Fame  Class of 2017 will be inducted in the fall.

The selection process is underway.

 A friendly reminder to

review the MSHSL Media Policy Manual prior to cover subsection, section or state tournament events.

Any questions? Contact me at tleighton@mshsl.org or Yvonne Walsh at ywalsh@mshsl.org

Minnesota Prep Photo / www.MNPrepPhoto.com

Among them were covering the 1987 and ’91 World Series and the U.S. Open in 1991. During the Timberwolves’ 1989-90 season, he interviewed Michael Jordan, which he says was a thrill. Of course, covering Brainerd’s state championship teams has brought special pride, too.

“The kids keep you young,” Bialka said. “Covering them is a lot of fun. I can count on one hand the number of kids that haven’t wanted to talk to me after a game.

Brainerd native Mike Bialka has been on the high school It’s neat that they will stick around and beat in his hometown for nearly 40 years. talk to you.”

During his 40-year journalism career, Bialka has won 27 writing awards from the Minnesota Associated Press Sports Association. He was a media award recipient in 2009 at the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and two years later, was inducted into the Brainerd High School Hall of Fame.

In 1985, he was one of the pioneers amongst Minnesota newspaper dailies by establishing a prep athlete of the week feature in the Brainerd paper.

“I hope (my legacy) is that people remember me as being fair and someone they could trust,” Bialka said. “Those are two of the biggest things you can get. I really have enjoyed this professional life. You don’t get into a job like this for the kudos, so when they do come, it is pretty nice.”

Olson and Bialka were honored during halftime of the Class AAA championship game at the boys basketball state tournament on March 25.

Photo courtesy of Mike Bialka

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

Have a record to share  

after the busy winter state tournament season?

Share it with us at: www.mshsl.org/mshsl/ recordsubmit.html

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA MSHSL MSHSL1 @MSHSL General news @MSHSL_Amy Amy Doherty @MSHSL_Coaches WHY WE PLAY @MSHSL_Officials Officials news @MSHSLjohn John Millea @MSHSLscores Post your scores! @MSHSLSpeech Speech news @MSHSLTim Tim Leighton

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WINTER HIGHLIGHTS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINTER 2017 STATE TEAM CHAMPIONS DEBATE

Policy Debate Champion - Edina Lincoln-Douglas Champion - Apple Valley Public Forum Debate Champion - St. Paul Academy & Summit School

ONE ACT PLAY Starred Performances

A - Park Rapids Area East Central St. Paul Academy & Summit School Mankato Loyola AA - Park, Cottage Grove Alexandria Area Buffalo Minnetonka

BOYS’ ALPINE SKIING

Minnetonka

GIRLS’ ALPINE SKIING

*Chisago Lakes/St. Croix Falls

BOYS’ NORDIC SKIING

Minneapolis Southwest

GIRLS’ NORDIC SKIING

Ely

GIRLS’ HOCKEY GIRLS’ DANCE TEAM

Above: Minnetonka was one of four Class AA schools to receive an Award of Excellence during the One Act Play Festival that was held Feb. 9-10 at St. Catherine University in St. Paul.

Below: Grand Rapids captured the Class AA boys' hockey championship with a 6-3 victory over Moorhead in an all-Northern final on March 11 at the Xcel Energy Center.

A - The Blake School, Minneapolis AA - Edina Jazz - A - Aitkin AA - Benilde-St. Margaret's, St. Louis Park AAA - Eastview, Apple Valley High Kick - A - Aitkin AA - Sartell-St. Stephen AAA - Eastview, Apple Valley

WRESTLING

GIRLS’ GYMNASTICS BOYS’ HOCKEY

A - Zumbrota-Mazeppa AA - Kasson-Mantorville AAA - Apple Valley A - *Detroit Lakes AA - Lakeville North A - Hermantown AA - Grand Rapids

BOYS’ SWIMMING & DIVING

A - *Breck/Blake AA - Minnetonka

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

A - Goodhue AA - Roseau AAA - Orono AAAA - Elk River

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

A - Minneapolis North Community AA - Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis AAA - DeLaSalle, Minneapolis AAAA - Apple Valley

ADAPTED FLOOR HOCKEY

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Above: Top-seeded Orono won the first girls' basketball championship in school history with a 65-47 victory over Winona in the Class AAA final on March 18.

Below: The Brainerd/Pillager adapted floor hockey team won the PI Division crown with an 8-4 victory over Anoka-Hennepin on March 18 at Bloomington Jefferson High School.

PI DIVISION - *Brainerd/Pillager CI DIVISION - *North Suburban

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Board of Directors Meeting December 1, 2016 Minutes Summary Reflection, Pledge of Allegiance Board Actions 1. Approved the Agenda as presented.

2. Approved the Minutes of the October 6, 2016 Board of Directors meeting.

3. Pat Barrett, Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association, spoke in support of consolation basketball games.

Troy Stein, Activities Director, Edina, spoke in support of Heads Up Football.

4. Board members commented on the success of the fall tournaments.

5. Legislative report received including: ■ The 2017 Legislative Session will convene on January 3, 2017; ■ The new Education Finance Chair is Senator Carla Nelson; ■ The new Education Policy Chair is Senator Eric Platt; ■ The new Tax Committee Chair is Senator Roger Chamberlain; and ■ Work will continue to have the sunset of the sales tax exemption repealed.

6. Legal Counsel’s report received; one pending case was dismissed and one lawsuit was dismissed.

7. The Executive Director’s report received and included: ■ Dave Stead attended an Awards Banquet sponsored

by Region 1A. Many activities directors and coaches were recognized; ■ Staff spoke regarding fall tournaments; ■ Midwest State Associations meeting in Chicago, IL; ■ Let’s Connect Conference; and ■ A thank you to Roger Aronson for his work on the Stadium Bill.

8. Approved the following Executive Committee Report: The Executive Committee report was received and included: ■ Cooperative Sponsorship Ad-Hoc Committee met in the League office on November 15, 2016; ■ The Executive Committee reviewed the proposal from the Ad-Hoc Committee and approved recommending to the full Board of Directors that a Special Representative Assembly be called on January 26, 2017 to discuss a possible 100%/50% determination for cooperative sponsorship placement into competitive sections; ■ Approved the Southwest Christian/Holy Family Catholic football co-op to continue through 2019.

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9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

16.

16.

17.

■ Approved a request for additional games in baseball for Madelia and lacrosse for Rocori; ■ Approved a request for three girls who participate in a basketball co-op with Shattuck-Saint Mary’s and attend the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf to play a basketball game in Arkansas; ■ Approved a request from Mankato Loyola to participate in 9-man football during the regular season; ■ Approved a request from Lake City to play lower level games on Wednesday instead of Thursday during the third week of football season; ■ Reviewed the results of the Constitutional Amendment vote from member schools; ■ Approved Minnesota Online High School swim team to “opt-up” from Class A to Class AA; and ■ Denied a request from the St. Paul Preparatory regarding F1 international students’ varsity eligibility.

Approved the results of the Constitutional Amendment vote from member schools. Because the vote did not reach a quorum, the proposed amendment failed.

Approved basketball consolation games beginning with the 2016-17 school year for a two-year trial period with a review after the 2017-2018 school year.

Approved supporting the Heads Up Football Program.

The program is not mandatory, but an optional support program for schools.

Approved the Baseball Pitch Count Policy. The policy is an NFHS mandate and every state association will need to develop and implement a policy.

Approved a Special Representative Assembly meeting to be held on Thursday, January 26, 2017 to discuss enrollments used to determine competitive section placement for cooperative sponsorships.

Approved the minutes from the December 1, 2016 Eligibility Committee meeting.

Approved the September 2016 and October 2016 financial statements.

Approved the Instant Replay protocol for basketball.

Approved the Instant Replay protocol for hockey.

Discussion Items A. Cooperative Sponsorship Bylaw Review B. Representative Assembly Amendments. Currently there are seven amendments being reviewed by the Administrative Regions. Reponses are due to the League office not later than February 15, 2017.

The complete official Minutes may be obtained from the League office by the designated schools representative of member schools.

www.MSHSL.org

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SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board of Directors Meeting February 2, 2017 Minutes Summary Reflection, Pledge of Allegiance Board Actions 1. Approved the Agenda with the following change: move Discussion Item #10A Tournament Classification/ Format: Next Steps to Action Item #9C 2. Approved the Minutes of the December 1, 2016 Board of Directors meeting.

3. No individuals or delegations had asked to speak to the Board regarding any of the identified Agenda items.

4. Board member’s comments included thanks to staff for attending and presenting at the MSBA Conference in January; and a well-run State Debate Tournament.

5. Legislative report received including an update on the sales tax exemption sunset repeal. The bill’s author is Representative Dean Urdahl and has been heard in both the house and the senate. Board Members viewed a video of Vice President, Troy Urdahl, testifying in front of the House Tax Committee.

6. Legal Counsel’s report received; there is one pending case.

7. The Executive Director’s report received and included: ■ Viewing a video of the upcoming Robotics competition; ■ There are more than 200 Robotics teams in Minnesota; ■ The number of teams qualifying for the State Robotics Tournament will increase from 30 to 36 teams and can be done in the current timeframe; this does not need Board action because it is not a League-sponsored activity; ■ The Triple “A” Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, March 25, 2017 at Loews Minneapolis Hotel beginning at 11:00 a.m.

■ Updates on the following: ○ Lower level wall replacement; ○ Back stairs mural has been removed and the wall repainted; mural will be updated;

9. Approved the AD Advisory Committee’s recommendations for classification of schools with 50% or more free/reduced lunch count and with Executive Committee Members approval.

10. Approved the KSTC Television contract extension through 2030-2031.

11. Approved the Tournament Classification process and timeline for the 2017-2019 Competitive Section Placement Cycle.

12. Approved the minutes from the February 2, 2017 Eligibility Committee meeting as presented with the exception of the Transfer Eligibility Appeal Provision.

13. Approved the first reading of the proposed Transfer Eligibility Appeal Provision.

14. Approved the November 2016 financial statements.

15. Approved the December 2016 financial statements.

16. Approved the Annual Finance Report for the year ending July 31, 2016.

17. Approved staff member Lisa Lissimore to finalize contract with two corporate sponsorships.

Discussion Items A. On January 26, 2017, the Representative Assembly voted to approve the proposed amendment to Bylaw 403.00 – Cooperative Sponsorship (Appendix B); B. The Cooperative Sponsorship Ad-Hoc Committee will meet prior to the April Board Meeting; C. Information from the Ad-Hoc Committee will be shared at Spring Area Meetings; and D. Responses have been received from ten of the sixteen regions regarding the seven proposed bylaw amendments.

The deadline for region responses is February 15, 2017; E. Consolation games are in year one of a two-year trial.

The complete official Minutes may be obtained from the League office by the designated schools representative of member schools.

○ MSHSL Foundation status; and ○ NFHS National Events Task Force regarding national championships.

8. Approved the following Executive Committee Report: The Executive Committee report was received and included: ■ Board Goals were discussed; ■ Lower classification requests and appeals were tabled; ■ Cooperative Sponsorship Ad-Hoc Committee will reconvene; and ■ Kevin Merkle, Associate Director, will go part-time in mid-August. www.MSHSL.org

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SPRING 2017 BULLETIN

2017 CALENDAR OF STATE EVENTS SPRING 2017 TBD by Region ...............VISUAL ARTS – Various Minnesota sites TBD by Region ...............SECTION/STATE MUSIC CONTESTS/FESTIVALS – Various Minnesota sites April 21-22 ....................STATE SPEECH TOURNAMENT – Apple Valley High School May 19 ..........................STATE ADAPTED BOWLING TOURNAMENT – Brunswick Zone, Brooklyn Park May 20 ..........................Final date of GIRLS’ BADMINTON season May 20 ..........................STATE ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis June 2-3 ........................STATE ADAPTED SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT – Coon Rapids High School June 6-9 ........................STATE BOYS’ TENNIS TOURNAMENT – Class AA at Baseline Tennis Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Class A at Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center, Minneapolis June 8-9 ........................STATE GIRLS’ SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT – Caswell Park, North Mankato June 9-10 ......................STATE TRACK & FIELD MEET – Hamline University, St. Paul June 10 .........................Final date of GIRLS’ SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING season June 13-14 ....................STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT – Class AAA at Bunker Hills Golf Course, Coon Rapids; Class AA at Ridges at Sand Creek, Jordan; Class A at Pebble Creek, Becker June 13, 15, 17 ..............STATE BOYS’ & GIRLS’ LACROSSE TOURNAMENT – Minnetonka & Chanhassen High Schools June 15-16, 19 ..............STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT – Quarterfinals and Semifinals: Class AAAA at CHS Field, St. Paul; Class AAA at Dick Siebert Field, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Class AA at Dick Putz & Joe Faber Fields, St. Cloud; Class A at Mini Met, Jordan & Athletic Park, Chaska. Prep Championship Series (June 19) will be played at Target Field, Minneapolis.

June 24 .........................STATE CLAY TARGET TOURNAMENT – Minneapolis Gun Club, Prior Lake July 1-7 .........................COACHES NO-CONTACT PERIOD

SPRING 2017 CALENDAR OF MEETINGS April 26... 10:00 am .. Area Meeting, Valentini's, Chisholm

May 16.... 9:30 am .... Region Secretaries Meeting, League Office

May 1...... 10:00 am .. Area Meeting, Kahler Apache Hotel, Rochester

May 22.... 9:30 am .... Athletic Directors Advisory Committee, League Office

May 2...... 10:00 am .. Area Meeting, The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, Brainerd

June 1 ..... 3:30 pm .... Minnesota Adapted Athletics, League Office

May 4...... 10:00 am .. Area Meeting, Edinburgh USA, Brooklyn Park

June 3 ....................... SAT National Test Date (www.collegeboard.org)

May 6........................ SAT National Test Date (www.collegeboard.org)

June 5 ..... 9:30 am .... League Board of Directors Meeting, League Office

May 15.... 8:00 am .... Representative Meeting, DoubleTree Mpls North

June 10 ..................... ACT National Test Date (actstudent.org)

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Volume 86

Spring 2017

Issue No. 3

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