The Civil War of the GHSA

I'm concerned, yet optimistic. Remember, I'm the guy who likes good news. I look for good news. High school is a time to invest our very best professional talents, educational resources and community unity to inspire our students to prepare for life, identify their passions, and pursue their dreams. Education is a key component of our society that gives us hope for a better tomorrow. But, I've found a bug in the system. We need "Operation Orkin" or the walls may come down.

I've spent several days conferring back and forth via email with the GHSA Executive Director, Ralph Swearngin, hoping to gain some perspective on the state of our organization that would allow me to feel good about the future relationship between the public schools and the private schools. In the near future, a Civil War could be provoked if we continue down this wide and congested path of animosity amuck. It is the biggest controversy within the GHSA. The private school is viewed as the "little leaven that leavens the whole lump."

Private schools are seen as competitors rather than colleagues. Private schools are perceived as cheaters who have a significant advantage in deliberate fostering of athletic dynasties. The private schools are accused of recruiting illegally; while the public schools are left with scraps. I mean leaven.

In the March GHSA Newsletter two proposals were drafted to go before the Eligibility Committee. They were:
1. Consider residency requirement for rising 9th graders.
2. Proposal to set service area for non-public schools the same as the public school in the same district.

I read these two proposals and immediately began calling friends on both sides of the Mason-Dixon. I called on both public school coaching friends and private school coaching friends. My coaching buddies on the public school side of the fence shared a consensus that the proposal was motivated by the belief that private schools have long had an unfair advantage over public schools in athletics. The private school coaches were either angry or disappointed to see something like that even in print. They felt that allowing this proposal in the March Newsletter (distributed to every GHSA Administrator in the state) was an inferred indictment of all private schools. The association has a definitive chasm and I was told it widened even more due to the results of the GHSA State Basketball Play-offs. That makes no sense to me. Public schools won six titles and private schools won four.

Here's the bottom line result if these proposals were to make it out of committee and then become By-Laws adopted into the GHSA Constitution. I'll use Landmark (since I'm the AD) as an example. Should these proposals make it out of committee it would mean Landmark would only be able to admit ninth graders into school from the Creekside High School service area. Let me lump Woodward into the mix; they would only be able to accept students from Tri-Cities. Where does it end? Next year do they implement the next edict - sixth and seventh graders must follow suit?

Let's talk about some unfair advantages we have as private schools. Let's see, we charge tuition; that narrows our prospect field tremendously. Private schools (a vast majority) have entrance requirements which narrow the field even more. We receive no federal funding.for us it's do or die. Public schools (like Starr's Mill) do a great job of fundraising so they enjoy the spoils of "double-dipping." Public schools have the "M to M Program". This program allows minority students to transfer and attend majority white schools. Public education offers Charter schools and Magnet schools. The economy has direct affect on the private education enrollment. It has little or no affect on public education enrollment.

Let's face it; both sides have advantages and disadvantages. And for the record.both sides cheat. Yes, there are private schools that illegally recruit. So do public school coaches. It is not a new issue within our organization. And, we are one of 50 state associations that deal with the same violators. So, what are our options in terms of finding a solution? How do we create a healthier environment and strengthen fellowship between our public and private schools?

First of all, let's exercise common sense. Any "yahoo" can send in a proposal to be included on the GHSA Agenda. Dr. Swearngin told me he is very concerned about the animosity between public and private schools. He wrote, "If we don't find better ways to get together, it will damage the entire fabric of the GHSA."

I concur. So, eliminate "yahoos" who stoke the fires of finger pointing. The GHSA created an Ad Hoc Committee to help foster better relations between the public and private schools. That's a good thing. Now, loosen their collar. Allow this Ad Hoc Committee to stand guard and filter divisive proposals. If the Ad Hoc Committee initially objects to a proposal, specific to public vs. private legislation, set a hearing to see if the proposal has enough merit to be forwarded to the agenda of the GHSA Executive meeting. This is not censorship.its good citizenship.

Secondly, let's exercise some good will. The Eligibility Committee is made up of public school educators. There needs to be private school representation on this committee as well. Here is a great opportunity to get public and private to work together and continue to bridge the gap.

Thirdly, as I stated.both sides cheat. Most of the coaches who cheat find a way to keep the paper trail legal. It can be frustrating and almost impossible to monitor even within your own program.

And, perception is the reality. I sat with Starr's Mill parents at the Brookwood football game last November. They had a hard time swallowing the fact that the top running back in the state moved for circumstances beyond his control to perennial state power Brookwood for his senior season; especially since he was transferring from a school that was 0-10 the previous year.
However, when you look deeper into the situation you find that no rules were broken and his eligibility was above board. A large portion of basketball fans throughout the state believe that Javaris Crittenton was recruited to SACA. He is the third rated point guard in America and signed with Georgia Tech. SACA won the Class A state basketball title last month, on the shoulders of Javaris. No way would this kid pick SACA without undue influence.and you're right. He enrolled at SACA in third grade. Mom was the undue influence.

You can't draw a line of demarcation attempting to identify one side more guilty than the other in terms of illegal recruiting. Keep in mind, there is a GHSA hardship panel that each transfer student must get approval from in order to be eligible if they do not meet established transfer criteria. I think this panel does a great job of "patrolling the borders." Interestingly, the panel includes both public and private school administrators.

So, what's my point? Simple. I do not want to become Texas. In the great state of Texas the public schools do not allow the private schools membership in their state association. When I was there, I would load our non-conference schedule with as many public schools as I could but that's where it ended. They had their championships and we had ours. It never made sense to me. I always thought the big losers in the divide were the kids.

Listen, I did the radio show for two years. I got to know the public school coaches and the private school coaches really well. I never thought of them as different. I always thought of them as the same.both heroes and role models. There wasn't a bad apple in the bunch. They all spoke the same language, loved the kids and demonstrated character and leadership. That's the way it should and can be. How do I know? Those two proposals never made it out of committee. If I may, YAHOO!!!