By Jeff Patrus
Sports Writer
Any potential changes to sports seasons in Brandon and Goodrich ? and statewide ? will likely have to wait until at least the 2006-07 school year.
That is the result of a May 2 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court granting the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s (MHSAA) appeal of a previous decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Last year, the Circuit Court ruled the MHSAA had to realign its seasons because it discriminated against female athletes.
The group Communities for Equity, based out of Grand Rapids, originally sued the MHSAA in 1998, contending the organization’s scheduling of girls basketball in the fall and volleyball in the winter hinders girls? chances of getting athletic scholarships.
Goodrich Athletic Director Al Martus said he does not agree with the plantiffs? contention, saying college recruiters have plenty of opportunities to scout any potential recruits outside of high school athletics.
‘They have already seen them play for travel teams and AAU teams,? he said. ‘That’s how the word gets around. That part, to me, is not legitimate.?
Brandon varsity girls basketball coach Bryan Ray also said the plantiffs? stance is ‘totally false,? contending Michigan ranks seventh in number of high school girls receiving basketball scholarships.
‘I’ve talked to a couple of college coaches in both basketball and volleyball, and they love it (the current setup) because it gives them extra opportunities to scout kids,? he said.
Ray said there are two advantages to the current scheduling system: it ensures quality media coverage for both boys and girls basketball, and the girls team has the gym to themselves for practices and games.
‘Obviously, if we go into the winter, that would be a problem,? he said.
Had the Supreme Court upheld the Circuit Court’s ruling, MHSAA communications director John Johnson said ‘the case would have been over and we would have been working to get the schedules realigned.?
That switch would have taken place for the 2005-06 school year, and would have involved girls basketball moving from fall to winter, volleyball moving from winter to fall, boys golf switching from fall to spring, and girls golf moving from spring to fall.
‘Those were the only affected sports,? Johnson said.
He also said the vast majority of schools in the MHSAA want to leave the seasons as they are.
‘I think for most schools, and definitely for coaches and kids, there’s a sigh of relief (because of the Supreme Court’s decision),? Johnson said. ‘Everything our schools tell us is that they maximize the quantity and quality of participation in girls sports (by having the season where they’re at).?
Brandon Athletic Director Larry Lamphere said he prepared two different schedules in the event the seasons are rescheduled ? one with girls basketball and volleyball remaining as they are, and another with the two sports switching seasons.
‘I favor the way it is, but I don’t have any control over how it will come out,? he said. ‘They (the court) will decide which way it will go. We’re no further ahead than when we started.?
Martus also thinks the seasons should remain as they are.
‘I think it’s best for everybody,? he said. ‘It hasn’t hurt kids at all. Girls? sports have come so far.?
To support his statement, Johnson cited a survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations regarding participation in high school sports during the 2003-04 season.
The survey showed Michigan ranked third in number of players in girls basketball (20,661) and fourth in volleyball (21,320).