OHSAA: The 2011-12 academic year in review, sports-style

By Daniel B. Ross
OHSAA Commissioner

As we enter the summer after the 2011-2012 school year, on behalf of the entire OHSAA staff I would like to thank you for your cooperation and support. Athletic administration is not an easy task in today's world, and I want to personally commend you for your dedication to the education of young people in the state of Ohio.

One of the purposes of this review memo is to discuss some of the events of this past school year as well as to alert you to some of the prospective changes in interscholastic athletics effective with the 2012-2013 school year. You are encouraged to view this correspondence and discuss it with your staff.

A. SCHOOL FUNDING ISSUES AND “PAY TO PARTICIPATE”
The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors is tremendously concerned about the status of interscholastic athletic and activities in Ohio schools. We are aware of the financial burdens that face many of our public and nonpublic schools alike. A few years ago in anticipation of additional burdens in this area, the OHSAA produced a bulletin designed to heighten awareness of the critical need for interscholastic athletics entitled “School Sports are Vital to Ohio’s Youth.”

Copies of this publication are still available and the publication is now online at http://www.ohsaa.org/members/SportsAreVital.pdf . Although a fee-based participation scenario is not the ideal solution to school funding problems, the alternative of reducing or eliminating participation opportunities is even more distasteful.

If a school completely discontinues its entire interscholastic athletics program, Exception 10 to Transfer Bylaw 4-7-2 would provide for a transfer to another school. Please review the guidance for this exception here: http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/4-7-2Guidance_Exc10.pdf

B. COMPETITIVE BALANCE – NEXT STEPS?
This past May, the member high school principals again narrowly voted to reject the bylaw issue that would have changed how schools are assigned to tournament divisions in the team sports of football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball. Rather than place schools into OHSAA tournament divisions based strictly on male or female enrollment, a recommendation to develop a sport-by-sport athletic count would have begun with enrollment and then potentially added enrollment based on how schools secure students (boundary factor) and a four-year tradition of success factor, while schools could have potentially lost enrollment based on a socioeconomic factor (high school students involved in the free lunch program).

The proposed bylaw on this issue to address competitive balance in OHSAA tournaments failed 339 to 301. The OHSAA staff and Board of Directors have no plans at this time to pursue another referendum item to address competitive balance.

C. MANDATORY PRESEASON MEETINGS AND REVIEW OF OHSAA BYLAWS
It is a requirement for schools to conduct preseason meetings for their coaching staffs, student-athletes, parents and booster members. This is the perfect opportunity to not only share the expectations for the upcoming season (training/conditioning/practice regulations; coach’s philosophy; sportsmanship; review the purposes and values of educational athletics), but to also review both the OHSAA and school eligibility requirements. Just this past year one added component – Concussion and Steroids - was added to the required topics that must be addressed.

For more information on Concussions click here: http://www.ohsaa.org/medicine/sportssafety.htm

The OHSAA eligibility requirements are outlined in the 2012-13 edition of the OHSAA eligibility publication, which is an online publication entitled “Eligibility Guide For Student Athletes” which is posted to the web site here http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/EligibilityGuide.pdf . Schools should make this publication available to parents and students by inserting it into school handbooks and other publications.

Please feel free to use the DVD which was produced last year and was mailed to all high schools and 7-8th grade school last month for this year’s meetings, especially for folks who have not seen the DVD. Additional materials to support these meetings can be found at http://www.ohsaa.org/members/default.asp under “OHSAA Preseason Information.”

A key eligibility issue to review with your student-athletes, coaches, guidance counselors and other staff members is that students shall meet with the principal or athletic administrator every time they have a question regarding athletic eligibility or whenever they change their course schedule or drop a course. The latter is especially important since we often find students who make a change and are told by school personnel that they have met school standards, but they ultimately lose their athletic eligibility because they do not meet OHSAA standards.

The OHSAA administrative staff is always available to school officials should there be additional questions.

Please note that failure to conduct these meetings shall cause a school to be fined $500 for each violation. The meetings must be conducted one time per sports season (fall-winter spring), and they shall be held no later than two weeks after the beginning of the sports season. Schools shall indicate the date and site of each of their meetings and the person responsible on myohsaa.

D. COACHING EDUCATION
The Board of Directors’ action in June of 2008 requires coaches to complete the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching course. All coaches (paid and volunteer) are required to complete the Fundamentals of Coaching class to obtain the Pupil Coaching Permit through the Ohio Department of Education. Class offerings and more information are available at: http://www.ohsaa.org/EducationAcademy/Coach/default.htm

In addition, school administrators must insure that all coaches, paid and volunteer, have met all requirements to secure the Pupil Coaching Permit. Failure to have this permit shall disqualify the coach from coaching in any regular season or OHSAA post season tournament. The OHSAA will be checking these permits prior to all tournament competition. Schools that have not complied with this requirement shall be fined $250 per coach, and the coach shall not be permitted to coach until the coach secures the permit

E. CLARIFICATION ABOUT AND CHANGES TO THE INTERDISTRICT TRANSFER BYLAW 4-7-2
This feature has appeared in each of the end of year summaries since the adoption of this Bylaw by the membership in October, 2001. Due to the large number of questions on transfer, this information is presented again to assist you in communicating to parents and students in your school. Please remember that in order to use any of the transfer exceptions, the student must meet all other provisions of Eligibility Bylaw 4 including age, semester, residence (parents must live in the state of Ohio), scholarship, etc.

At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, students who are entering grade 9 for the first time at the beginning of the school year may enroll in and attend any member high school that accepts them. This is the fundamental rule governing eligibility in this area.

IMPORTANT ELIGIBILITY REMINDER: Students who are NOT incoming 9th graders who enroll in a member high school in which they were not enrolled during the 2010-11 school year should be “red flagged” and checked for transfer eligibility.

To assist you in understanding the transfer bylaw and its exceptions and communicating the information to students and their parents, a “TRANSFER BYLAW RESOURCE CENTER” has been developed and posted to our web site under the ELIGIBILITY tab. To access this information and the publications contained therein, please click here: http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/TransferBylawGuidance.htm

Attention 7th and 8th grade administrators: The transfer bylaw does not apply to students in grades 7 and 8.

F. INTRADISTRICT TRANSFER – BYLAWS 4-7-4, 4-7-6 and 4-7-7
OHSAA records indicate that there are 39 school districts or systems, including both public and non-public that have more than one high school under the jurisdiction of a single superintendent. The following are the only options for eligibility once a student has established eligibility in a high school in grade 9. These bylaws and the guidance about each are posted to the “TRANSFER BYLAW RESOURCE CENTER” at this link:
http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/TransferBylawGuidance.htm

G. BYLAW 4-7-3
If a transfer takes place during the season in which a student has participated in a regular season contest in an interscholastic sport, the student is ineligible for the remainder of that sports season in the school into which the student has transferred. NOTE: A student may not use any of the exceptions to Transfer Bylaw 4-7 to circumvent this bylaw.

Exception: parents make a bona fide move (Exception 1 of Bylaw 4-7-2) into a new public school district and the school in which the student enrolls is located more than 50 miles from the previous school as computed using Map Quest’s most 3 direct route

H. INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE STUDENTS
Members voted again to amend Bylaw 4-8-1 which addresses International students who are in Ohio to study and wish to participate in interscholastic athletics programs sponsored by the member schools. A new form was developed to support exception two which addresses students who are in Ohio from outside the United States under the jurisdiction of a legitimate Visitor Exchange Program.

Those students must have a J-1 visa, the only visa type authorized by the US government for these exchange programs, and there is no longer a requirement that the program be authorized by the Council on Standards for Educational International Travel (CSIET). Please review the form on the OHSAA website and contact Assistant Commissioner Roxanne Price for any questions about international exchange students.

Click here for the form: http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/forms/FEelig.pdf . Note that old 4-8-1 exception four – parents who are US citizens working outside the US – has been moved to Bylaw 4-6-3 exception 9.

I. OUT OF STATE TRAVEL BYLAW
The out of state travel bylaw (9-2-1) permits travel outside the boundaries of the contiguous states or the province of Ontario for the purpose of playing contests One Time ONLY per season per sport provided there is no loss of school time. Travel inside Ohio and within the boundaries of the contiguous states/province is not restricted.

Please note that travel outside of Ohio for practice purposes is not permitted except in cases where the school’s normal practice facility is out of state or in special circumstances approved by the OHSAA office. Note that schools may practice during the one-time journey out of state for allowable competition with no loss of school time. In all other cases, the principal shall send a special request to the OHSAA seeking permission to practice out of state.

A revision to this bylaw now stipulates exactly what is meant by the words “school time” – any time during any day in which school is in session as stipulated in the Board-adopted school calendar exclusive of contingency days. The penalty for violation shall be denial of the opportunity to play in the post season OHSAA tournament in the sport in which the violation occurred.

J. SPORTSMANSHIP, ETHICS AND INTEGRITY – RESPECT THE GAME CAMPAIGN
The OHSAA will continue to support the many positive educational programs that have been developed to encourage sporting conduct and ethical behavior among all those who participate in interscholastic athletics. In 2012, 19 member schools were recipients of the Harold A. Meyer Award, and the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship certificates continue to be a proud symbol of those young women and men who truly exemplify what it means to be a sport.

As part of the SEI Committee's ongoing program to promote sportsmanship, ethics and integrity, an OHSAA state award is available to member schools. This award, which was mailed to member high schools in March, may be presented to a coach, teacher, administrator, booster or other supporter of the local school program. It is an opportunity for every high school in Ohio to honor one of its own with a state award for exemplary contribution and service.

There is a newly revised, tiered program of awards that will hopefully revitalize the SEI School Awards Program. The first part of the program is the “Respect the Game Challenge.” The Respect the Game Challenge is the precursor to being considered for the long standing Harold A. Meyer Award, which is the second part of the tiered system.

The submission requirements for the HAM Award have changed. The third and final part of the tiered award system is the Commissioner’s Award for Exceptional Sportsmanship. Two schools were the inaugural recipients of this prestigious award, Cincinnati Nagel Middle School and West Carrollton High School. Congratulations to both schools!

Respect the Game Respect Yourself Program-“RGRY”
The OHSAA strongly encourages coaches, athletes and parents to participate in the Respect The Game Respect Yourself online program. The OHSAA has partnered with Dr. Mike Thomson in creating this comprehensive, cutting edge online package that is like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube on jet fuel! Each RGRY member receives potent weekly messages vital to helping student-athletes become true examples of good character “in action” 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year . . . even when others might not be watching.

For more information on getting your schools and teams on board now, visit www.rgry.org or call 1-800-290-2482

K. CATASTROPHE INSURANCE
During the 2012-2013 school year, the OHSAA will again purchase a $25,000 deductible excess medical insurance policy with a five year $500,000 cap to benefit any Ohio athlete who is catastrophically injured while participating in interscholastic athletics. The Association will also purchase a liability insurance policy. Note: Only students participating in recognized sports (the 24 OHSAA tournament sports), which include athletes, cheerleaders and student assistants are covered under the OHSAA plan. Participants in non-recognized sports may purchase catastrophe insurance through their school.

L. OHSAA DRIVE-IN SEMINAR FOR NEWLY-APPOINTED SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS
The OHSAA is sponsoring the 24th annual seminar for newly appointed school administrators and newly appointed athletic administrators in Columbus at the DoubleTree Columbus/Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave, Columbus, OH 43235 on Tuesday, August 7, 2012. The drive-in seminar, "You and the OHSAA", will be held from 8:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.

The seminar is free and is designed to give newly appointed individuals a better understanding of the OHSAA for the purpose of assisting them in fulfilling their duties as they relate to interscholastic athletics. Information was sent to member schools in June.

M. POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS PROGRAM (PEOP), SENIORS TO SOPHOMORES PROGRAMS, BLOCK SCHEDULING AND CREDIT FLEXIBILITY
Due to numerous requests for information on these programs, a brief explanation of some of the important concepts relative to scholarship eligibility is included. Students electing to enroll in either PEOP or the Seniors to Sophomores Program must be certain to consult both athletic department and guidance personnel to insure that:

1) The faculty members at the postsecondary institution understand that they will need to provide grades or a progress report at the time when the high school's grading period is over;

2) The student-athlete is taking enough course work at the post secondary institution exclusively (minimum of 13 hours) or between the post secondary institution and the high school combined to be equal or be equivalent to five one-credit courses. Calculating equivalency of credits in the post secondary institution is conducted in the same manner as in the high school - based on the Carnegie unit.

College courses for which five semester hours (7 ½ quarter hours) of credit are earned shall be awarded one Carnegie unit. Fractional Carnegie units will be awarded proportionately. Consult the publication "Ohio's Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program," printed by the State Department of Education, for specific information on PEOP or contact the Seniors to Sophomores Program Administrator.

Block scheduling or double blocking does not change the calculation of credit equivalencies as required in Bylaw 4-4-1. For example, courses taken over one semester or one quarter (9 week period) will still carry a factor of 2 and 4, respectively. Therefore, if a student takes an English course during the first semester only and receives one credit for passing that course, that class carries an equivalency of 2 (1 credit X the factor for a semester course (2) = 2). The student in this example would need at least one more full credit course taken in the first semester to meet the standard in Bylaw 4-4-1, which requires passing a minimum of five one-credit courses or the equivalent in the preceding grading period.

The following are some examples of how to calculate high school equivalencies:

1st 9 Week Grading Period (Standard Curriculum)
SUBJECT GRADE CREDIT & DURATION FACTOR CREDIT EQUIVALENCY
English 10 C 1- All Year 1 1 X 1 = 1
Spanish I D 1- All Year 1 1 X 1 = 1
Health B ½ - Semester 2 1/2 X 2 = 1
Algebra F 1- All Year 1 0
Computers C ½ - Semester 2 1/2 X 2 = 1
Social Studies C ½ - Semester 2 1/2 X 2 = 1
5 = Eligible

3rd 9 Week Grading Period (Blocked Example)
SUBJECT GRADE CREDIT & DURATION FACTOR CREDIT EQUIVALENCY
Calculus B 1- Semester 2 1 X 2 = 2
French C 1- Semester 2 1 X 2 = 2
Phys. Ed. A 1/4 - Semester 2 1/4 X 2 = 1/2
4 1/2 = Ineligible

PSEO Example 1
SUBJECT SCHOOL CREDIT & DURATION CREDIT EQUIVALENCY
History High 1 (year course) 1 X 1 = 1
Literature PSEO 3 quarter hours .4 X 3 = 1.2
Calculus PSEO 5 quarter hours .667 X 3 = 2.0
Biology PSEO 3 quarter hours .4 X 3 = 1.2
5.4

Note: The student would be eligible for the next grading period provided she passes all courses. The factor of 3 is used for postsecondary institutions that are on the quarter system.

PSEO Example 2
SUBJECT SCHOOL CREDIT & DURATION CREDIT EQUIVALENCY
French PSEO 5 semester hours 1 X 2 = 2
Sociology PSEO 3 semester hours .6 X 2 = 1.2
Computers PSEO 2 semester hours .4 X 2 = .8
Geology PSEO 3 semester hours .6 X 2 = 1.2
13 semester hours 5.2

Note: This student would be eligible for the next grading period provided he passes all courses. The factor of 2 is used for post-secondary institutions that are on the semester system. Note that the student is taking all courses at the postsecondary institution, which is acceptable. The minimum number of hours is 13. Please refer to the laminated card “Guidelines for Student Athletic Eligibility” which was mailed to each school this past year.

As member schools transition into providing the opportunity for individual plans using the new Credit Flexibility process, the OHSAA will continue to assist in evaluating whether or not these experiences can be used for athletic eligibility purposes. Please go to this link for more information on Credit Flex and the OHSAA eligibility standards http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/forms/OASSA_Credit_Flex.pptx

N. REGIONAL FALL UPDATE MEETINGS AND ATHLETIC DISCUSSION MEETINGS
Please note that the OHSAA annual Athletic Discussion (P.R.) meetings will be held from mid-April through the first week in May throughout the state. The primary purpose of these meetings is to review referendum issues that schools will vote on in May. Registration materials and specific locations will be sent to member school administrators in March. In addition, the OHSAA will again sponsor four regional seminars for school and athletic administrators this August.

These meetings are designed to discuss current issues and review general eligibility standards and legal issues as a kick off to the new school year. More information will be forthcoming as those dates and locations are established.

O. CHANGES IN INDIVIDUAL SPORTS REGULATIONS
1. FOOTBALL
Please see the information at this link to access the details relative to new contest limitations including the Football Jamboree: http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/ft/boys/Jamboree%20Application.doc

2. CONTEST LIMITATIONS
Schools are reminded that in all sports, including individual sports such as cross country, golf, gymnastics, tennis, track and field, swimming and diving and wrestling, squads may not exceed either the individual or team contest limitation or playing date restriction (if any). Therefore, a school is not permitted to schedule more than the number of contests on the mandated playing dates which are permitted for that sport. The penalty for violation shall be ineligibility for the OHSAA tournament.

3. INDIVIDUAL SPORTS – BOWLING, GOLF, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING AND DIVING AND TENNIS
Interscholastic coaches in the individual sports of boys and girls bowling, girls gymnastics, boys and girls swimming and diving, boys and girls golf and boys and girls tennis, may coach athletes from the school where employed outside the interscholastic season of the sport PROVIDED such activity is not mandatory.

4. NON-INTERSCHOLASTIC COMPETITION DATES
Some of our member schools have had difficulty understanding this regulation. This regulation will be emphasized at rules meetings during the next school year, particularly in the individual sports, so that coaches should be fully aware of its meaning and ramifications for students. School and athletic administrators should also make every effort to reinforce this regulation with coaching staff and students.

In all sports, an athlete who has not participated for a school in a given sport that season must cease all noninterscholastic competition in a given sport six weeks (42 days) prior to the Monday of the week of the state tournament in that sport in order to be eligible for OHSAA tournament competition provided applicable bylaws and regulations have been followed. (Note that this exact date appears in each one of the specific sports regulations.)

In addition, an athlete who has participated for the school in an individual sport (bowling, cross country, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and wrestling) and who violates this non-interscholastic competition date by participating in a non-interscholastic contest shall be ineligible for OHSAA tournament competition in that sport in addition to any other penalties that may be prescribed.

There is an exception to this rule which is codified in the GOLF regulation 5.2 and was new for 2011-12. It reads:

An athlete who has participated for the school in the sport of golf in that season but has been invited to/qualified for the Junior Ryder Cup for boys and girls and/or the Junior Solheim Cup for girls may be granted a waiver/exemption to participate in these competitions without jeopardizing eligibility provided written permission is obtained from the OHSAA Commissioner’s Office. If applicable, the student granted such a waiver/exemption may return to participate in the OHSAA tournament competition so long as tournament regulations regarding entry/participation are adhered to.

New for 2012-13 is the addition of language which permits waiver of the non-interscholastic competition rule for students who are selected to compete in either Special Olympics or Paralympics competition during their sports season or for students who are part of a national team as part of an NGB’s (National Governing Body) competition that is slated for during the season of a sport. Please see Sports Regulations 6.13 and 6.14 for the exact language of these regulations.

5. ICE HOCKEY
Any player ejected for unsporting conduct during a scrimmage or preview shall be ineligible for all scrimmages or previews for the remainder of that day. If a scrimmage occurs prior to the season, the player shall also be ineligible for the first regular season contest (previews are only permitted prior to the first regular season contest). If a scrimmage occurs after the first regular season contest, the player shall be ineligible for the next regular season or OHSAA tournament contest. In addition, any second ejection in a scrimmage, preview, regular season or OHSAA tournament contest shall result in the student being suspended for the remainder of the season.

Beginning in 2012-13 school season, the regular season game maximum will be 35, plus OHSAA tournament games. During the regular season, each contest played counts towards the maximum of 35 contests permitted

6. SOCCER
It is strongly recommended that a school administrator or designated person other than the coach be in attendance at all varsity soccer contests.

7. EVENTS ADDED TO TRACK AND FIELD FOR STUDENTS WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS
The OHSAA Board of Directors made a historic decision in June when it voted to add eight wheelchair events to the track and field state championships beginning in 2013. Click here to read the press release: http://www.ohsaa.org/news/sports/2012-06-07WheelerchairTFRelease.pdf

8. MANDATORY RULES INTERPRETATION MEETINGS FOR COACHES
Administrators are reminded that a member of the coaching staff or the athletic administrator must represent each member school’s athletic team (boys and girls) at mandatory rules interpretation meetings on an annual basis in most sports.

Cross Country is the only fall sport that does not have a meeting requirement.

Changes in that sport are covered during the annual track and field rules meetings that take place in January and February. Golf and Tennis have biannual rules meetings. ALL OTHER SPORTS REQUIRE ATTENDANCE AT AN ANNUAL RULES MEETING. Please review this requirement with your head coaches. A schedule of rules meetings is provided in the preseason mailing sent to head coaches and officials.

These schedules are also posted to the OHSAA’s web site at www.ohsaa.org on the individual sports pages and under the rules interpretation section on the officiating page at http://www.ohsaa.org/officials/directory/meetings.htm . All meetings are current for the 2012-2013 school year, so please take a look and plan to review the requirement and schedule with your staff. The penalty for non-compliance is denial of tournament participation.

9. PENALTIES FOR COACH EJECTION
Any coach ejected or disqualified from an interscholastic contest for unsporting conduct shall be suspended from coaching in all contests for the remainder of that day. In addition, the coach shall be suspended from coaching for all contests at all levels in that sport until two regular season/tournament contests (one in football) are played at the same level as the ejection or disqualification and shall be fined $100.

Additionally, the coach shall take the National Federation of State High School Associations Teaching and Modeling Behavior Course, which must be completed within 30 days. (Note that the $100 shall be used to support the OHSAA’s Respect The Game program).

10. LIGHTNING AND INCLEMENT WEATHER
Recognition: Coaches, athletic trainers, athletes, administrators and contest officials shall be educated regarding the signs indicating thunderstorm development. Since the average distance between successive lightning flashes is approximately two to three miles, ANYTIME that lightning can be seen or heard, the risk is already present. Weather can be monitored using the following methods:

•    Monitor Weather Patterns – Be aware of potential thunderstorms by monitoring local weather forecasts the day before and morning of the competition, and by scanning the sky for signs of potential thunderstorm activity
•    National Weather Service – Weather can also be monitored using small, portable weather radios from the NWS. The NWS uses a system of severe storm watches and warnings. A watch indicates conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop in an area; a warning indicates severe weather has been reported in an area, and everyone should take proper precautions. Any thunderstorm poses a risk of injury or death even if it does not meet the criteria for severe weather. Therefore, anytime thunderstorms are in the forecast (even if it is only a 20 percent chance), event organizers shall be at a heightened level of awareness to the potential danger of lightning.
•    Management:
•    Evacuation – If lightning is imminent or a thunderstorm is approaching, all personnel, athletes and spectators shall evacuate to available safe structures or shelters. A list of the closest safe structures should be announced and displayed on placards at all athletic venues.
•    Thirty-minute rule – Competition or practice shall be suspended once lighting has been recognized or thunder is heard. It is required to wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming practice or competition. Given the average rates of thunderstorm travel, the storm should move 10-12 miles away from the area. This significantly reduces the risk of local lightning flashes. Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count shall reset the clock, and another count shall begin.

P. SCHOLAR-ATHLETES HONORED ON JUNE 15, 2012
The OHSAA in conjunction with the Foundation and support of corporate sponsors awarded 42 $1,000 scholarships and 12 $2,000 scholarships to some of the state's outstanding senior scholar-athletes. The awards banquet and ceremony was held in Columbus on June 15, 2012, at the Doubletree Worthington/Columbus. See this link for more information: http://www.ohsaa.org/news/misc/2012Scholar-AthleteBanquetRelease.pdf

Q. HOME SCHOOLING
Questions about home schooling and eligibility for interscholastic athletics are frequently forwarded to the OHSAA. Please be advised that Bylaw 4-3-1 requires all students to be enrolled in the member school (high school or 7-8th grade) in which they wish to participate.

The definition of "enrolled" is quite liberal, and taking one course at the physical location of the school would be deemed sufficient. However, if a student is taking less than a full complement of courses, the school is still responsible for certifying scholastic eligibility in compliance with Section 4 of Bylaw 4. In addition, students must meet all other eligibility standards contained in Bylaw 4.

Students who are entering a member school from home schooling at the beginning of a school year may be declared eligible if it can be determined that they meet the academic requirements for eligibility. Students who leave a member school during the school year to be home schooled and then return to the member school must earn their academic eligibility by passing five one credit courses or the equivalent in a complete grading period prior to participation.

Making the determination that a student is indeed home schooled and not simply attending one of the online, digital options that are available is critical to this decision concerning enrollment and attendance. The only way that a school can determine if a student was truly “home schooled” in accordance with Ohio law, is to review the required application that the parents must submit to the superintendent of the public school district of residence of the parents.

R. CONSENT FORMS THAT ACCOMPANY THE YEARLY PHYSICAL
After nearly a year in review, the OHSAA’s Pre-Participation Evaluation Form (PPE) has been revised for the 2012-13 school year. Just a reminder that there are two consent forms which are part of the required Pre-Participation Evaluation. The first form, found on page five of the electronic copy, is the form that requires a parent to consent to the transfer of any necessary information about the student in order to protect the student’s health and safety as is required under the federal law known as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

The form must be signed just once during a student’s tenure at a member school. The second form, found on page 5, is the annual “Consent to Participate: that must be signed yearly by the parent and the student. Click here to retrieve these forms. http://www.ohsaa.org/medicine/physicalform.htm Note: A student whose parent or legal guardian does not sign is ineligible to participate. This new form contains many updates and information deemed appropriate by our Joint Advisory Committee on Sports Medicine.

S. INFORMATION ON CONCUSSIONS
The OHSAA has made a concerted effort to provide educational resources to member schools on this vital topic of concussion management. Please click here to review all material that addresses this important topic: http://www.ohsaa.org/medicine/sportssafety.htm.

T. NEW 7th-8th GRADE PUBLICATION DEVELOPED
Please be sure to review the publication “Guide to Participation in 7-8th Grade Athletics” which was prepared for our member 7-8th grade schools by OHSAA middle school committee. This publication was sent to each member 7-8th grade school, and we encourage you to add it to your school handbook. In addition, you may access the publication here: http://www.ohsaa.org/members/GuideToParticipation-7th8thGradeAthletics.pdf

U. NEW GUIDANCE AVAILABLE ON RECRUITNG AND AMATEUR STATUS
The OHSAA has developed new guidance to supplement the bylaws on questions concerning Recruiting Bylaw 4-9 and Amateur Bylaw 4-10. A new form has also been developed that shall be used by students who are wishing to retain amateur status while competing in non-interscholastic competition where others may be competing for money.

Click here to retrieve these new documents:

Recruiting FAQ’s - http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/4-9GuidanceRecruiting.pdf
Amateur FAQ’s - http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/4-10GuidanceAmateur.pdf
Request for Retention of Amateur Status - http://www.ohsaa.org/eligibility/Bylaw4-10-2RequestRetentionofAmateurStatus.pdf