Don’t change that sports calendar yet. Despite a January Free Press report that suggests the MHSAA may switch to a 5 season system, Seaholm Athletic Director Aaron Frank says no such change is imminent, and MHSAA Communications Director John Johnson says that many critics are passing judgment too quickly.
The Free Press reported on January 18th that “[the MHSAA] is considering revamping its calendar so drastically it would make this school year’s switching of girls basketball season from the fall to the winter and volleyball from the winter to the fall look like minor adjustments.”
However, MHSAA Communications Director John Johnson says that while the concept is still only one of many options in the planning stages, it has evolved significantly since the last printing. The latest version of the concept is much more comparable to the schedule currently in use.
“The latest version has a little more overlap between seasons, but doesn’t really change anything as far as the current calendar goes,” said Johnson. “Practice still starts the week of August 15th, and the end of the year is Father’s Day weekend.” According to the guidelines set forth by both the Free Press and Johnson, the five seasons would shape up like this:
Season One would kick off the MHSAA year sometime in mid-August, and would include football, volleyball, girls swimming and diving, boys soccer, cross country, boys tennis, and girls golf.
Season Two would start early in November, overlapping slightly with Season One, and would include girls basketball, boys swimming and diving, and gymnastics.
Season Three would begin in late November, and would be a continuation of the current winter sports schedule, including hockey, bowling, and skiing.
Season Four would be a late start for the remaining winter sports, early in January, and would include boys basketball, wrestling, and competitive cheer. The basketball state finals would conclude sometime in late April, which may conflict with the beginning of Season Five, and the boys baseball season.
Season Five would begin practices in early April, and would include baseball, boys golf, lacrosse, girls softball, girls soccer, girls tennis, and track and field. The MHSAA season would conclude with state championships Father’s Day weekend.
Seaholm Athletic Director Aaron Frank reiterated that the goal of any proposal would be to alleviate the scheduling conflicts that resulted from last season’s changes.
“What we all want to accomplish is a situation where the most students who want to participate in athletics can do it,” said Frank. “[We don’t] want and the way we schedule our seasons to be the roadblock that prevents that.”
“That being said,” Frank explained, “I don’t even think it’s being seriously considered. I think it’s just one of the things that was discussed.”
Despite the relatively rough plan and Frank’s assurance that the proposal is only a discussion topic, many critics of the plan have emerged in the form of parents, players, and athletic directors.
“I think it’s absurd,” said junior baseball player Kevin Crimmins. “It’s too long and too conflicting. The schedule is crazy enough as it is.”
Still, Johnston stood behind the merit of the plan. “It’s just different thinking that requires people to take old concepts out of their heads and consider what’s in the best interest of kids, not what’s easiest for administrators,” said Johnson.
“People need to stand back, look at [the plan] on balance, and then come to judgment on it,” Johnson continued. “So far all we’ve seen are words.”
Still, for all those concerned that the MHSAA may be moving in the wrong direction, Aaron Frank reiterates that this is probably much ado about nothing.
“In any situation, we’d be crazy to think that there isn’t a better way to do things, said Frank. “But having said that, I’m not so sure that five seasons is one of those options.”
