MHSTeCA's Forum Page

Topic: To establish and Ethics Committee to help deal with various ethical problems, such as stacking. Warren Block has volunteered to be the coordinator for this.

 

Other Coaches Opinions

 

NAME COMMENTS

J.R. Muniz

I am in favor of this proposal. It is unfortunate that we have need this discussion addressed to adults charged with leading our kids in sports, but stacking is a real problem that takes away from the players we represent. Any format already set in place by MHSAA should be followed. Our association could represent a clearinghouse for issues raised as a result of stacking, or similar misconduct. As it stands now I do not believe MHSTeCA has any authority to sanction a coach other than to not welcome them back into our membership. 
Charlie Bassett THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE AND USING RETIRED COACHES TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE  WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.
Dan Bittner There should be a committee that can oversee complaints about: On/Off Court Behavior, Stacking, Lineup Changes, etc... Ideally the committee could investigate these issues and provided recommendations to the MHSAA prior to Regional Play.
Mike Turinsky Yes
Ron Landfair I like the idea of a "responsive" ethics committee.  I would encourage that membership be made up of non-current coaches from the Bd. of Directors.  I state the Bd. of Directors as a source as they tend to still be connected to the game even though they are retired. Non-current members of the Hall of Fame could be another source.
Jim D'Angelo Ethics Committee seated with past, not current, coaches to review complaints in a prompt fashion would be a great idea.
Dennis Jokela Yes I think it is a great idea if they can respond promptly to situations.
Cathy Hackenberger I am in favor of an Ethics Committee as well.
Daniel Bentley I'm with Keith Bernacki on this one.  I have been told by two coaches in my area that an ethics committee was already being formed and coaches were already assigned?  Who picked these coaches and why? Shouldn't there be some sort of a selection process?  I also would like to see some sort of a rotation on the state seed committee.  Again, how does a coach become a member of the committee and who picks the coaches?  I honestly think that if there was a rotation of coaches on the state seeding committee that there would be less complaints about seeds because coaches would feel they are part of the process and realize the difficulty in seeding the state tournament.
Charles Phelps Having an ethics committee that any coach can get in contact with readily in time of trouble where such a committee has immediate and forthright power and ability to rule on issues is something we need.  Currently, resolving issues takes weeks. the committee will have to have certain criteria for which it will govern ethical issues.  The decisions should be reviewed by the Board Trustees yearly, or by on member of the Trustees, and such members of the committee should be comprised by a board vote.

It is currently too uncertain as to what to do when issues arise. If it were a more black and white process of doing this I think things would get resolved faster, there would be less problems as word gets out that we are cracking down, and coaches would not just sit on their problems because there are no clear solutions to their concerns.
Gail Masteller, West Ottawa Parent I'd like to mention 3 issues I think you might want to review before next season.

1) The stacking rule is routinely ignored as written.  When a player is injured, teams routinely move in a sub to that position, regardless of how that affects the 'ranked' lineup and that is done to help the other flights keep good records for seeding purposes.   I think the coaches should either rewrite the rule to reflect current practices or find a way to enforce it as written (forfeiting  matches if the stacking rule is broken)

2) Weather.  I think the rules state teams  need to wait out bad  weather if they both show up for a match.  With the prevalance of web site radar information, I think coaches should be allowed to postpone matches based on forecasts.  In practice, many do.  Again, a rule change might be needed.

3) Publishing tournament information.  Is there any reason that site locations and flights scheduled at particular sites can't be communicated to parents. In practice, parents only see coaches at matches, where the coaches are busy, and hate to bother a coach with a logistical question about time and place for an upcoming tournament.  And when a parent does ask, the coach rarely has the full information at his fingertips.   It would be extremely helpful if the coach's organization made it a policy to ask coaches to either post upcoming tournament plans on a website or to distribute the information via email or handout to the parents.   I think it can be communicated that last minute changes will occur. 
Callander Great idea. It appears as though there are rules, many of which are specific, but they are not enforced. Those coaches tht violate them, do so time and time again. Stacking , of course, is the big one. Another issue is players who continually cheat. Playe
Keith Bernacki Ethics Committee - good idea - Current coaches on committee - bad idea.
Patti S. Morris strongly believe that there is a tremendous need for an Ethics Committee.
Jeff Miner Like the idea of an ethics committee - any bad apples would have to stay on their toes. Might also be a vehicle for resolving disputes among coaches at times.
Mike McGinnis Unfortunately this is an area that needs to monitored and enforced. Hopefully by forming this committee they will have nothing to do.
Lin Ware Yes to an ethics committee. Coaching a high school team is about more than just winning. Its about teaching fair play in tennis and in life.
Tim Coleman I am in favor of having an ethics committee.
Mike Turinsky Yes
Ron Landfair I like the idea of a "responsive" ethics committee.  I would encourage that membership be made up of non-current coaches from the Bd. of Directors.  I state the Bd. of Directors as a source as they tend to still be connected to the game even though they are retired. Non-current members of the Hall of Fame could be another source.
Jim D'Angelo Ethics Committee seated with past, not current, coaches to review complaints in a prompt fashion would be a great idea.
Dennis Jokela Yes I think it is a great idea if they can respond promptly to situations.
Cathy Hackenberger I am in favor of an Ethics Committee as well.
Daniel Bentley I'm with Keith Bernacki on this one.  I have been told by two coaches in my area that an ethics committee was already being formed and coaches were already assigned?  Who picked these coaches and why? Shouldn't there be some sort of a selection process?  I also would like to see some sort of a rotation on the state seed committee.  Again, how does a coach become a member of the committee and who picks the coaches?  I honestly think that if there was a rotation of coaches on the state seeding committee that there would be less complaints about seeds because coaches would feel they are part of the process and realize the difficulty in seeding the state tournament.