Someone help me out here, is it true, that the same types of rules pertaining to swimming in Missouri were challenged legally and the state lost that case? I am sorry to disagree with some on this point, well actually I’m not sorry, the thought that one could not speak their mind is in some ways more dangerous than the fact that there are those that both support and disagree with “some” of these rules on this post, but the truth is that KSHAA has rules in place that prohibited even watching a clinic, exactly as stated in my initial post. For those that disagree with that I challenge you to send your high school students to the next planned clinic and see what happens. I agree with Mr. Sayler in a previous post on another thread. My interpretation of the rule was clear, I would not encourage any Jr. High or High School athlete to attend any of the clinics.
No one here, especially me, is saying that kids shouldn't maintain their grades, I have no issue with that requirement and believe it should be in place. Neither have I heard anyone say that a public school coach should have to coach a home schooled athlete. Just that they should have the same rights they have in other states to compete against a public school athlete. Truth is that national studies show that home schooled students score better and do better in some ways academically than do public school students. I hate to say this because my wife is a public school educator but you can’t hardly argue with the facts on these types of things.
The legal issue of what is fair for a student in Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas or Kansas comes into play in my opinion. I am not a lawyer, don't pretend to be, but when these types of rules have been challenged in other states, and those states have lost. Please someone explain to me why Kansas athletes should not have those same legal rights? Eventually, I believe that is what it will come down to, is a legal challenge. I certainly am not talking about the organization of KSHAA, but my experience, even with the clinic that brought this to question for me again, is that I have been told to expect nothing in regards to getting anything done. I have found that to be true, in that three weeks ago I requested clarification of the rule and never received a response to the question. The closest thing I received to clarification was an interpretation from Mr. Salyer, I don’t think he is a governing member of the KSHAA. While Richard and I disagree on this point, in part, I consider him a friend and appreciate his willingness to at least debate the issue. Another point here, is that while some coaches have responded here, I know they don’t speak for all coaches. I know of coaches behind the scenes who are telling me to fight on this fight. I have also spoken with educators and coaches from major universities who are opposed to these rules, one of them even telling me recently in a e-mail, “Mr. Furches we have tried to get some of the rules changed but Kansas seems to be in the Dark Ages. I don’t really know if they know how much harm they are doing to their student-athletes.” This is a quote from an email correspondence in part from a major university near here who has one of our nations leading wrestling programs. I’ll leave it at that but some of you can figure out which school has petitioned the KSHAA to reconsider changing some of our rules in the recent past.
Ultimately, the call should be up to the coach and school that the student-athlete participates for. Involved in that decision I believe in part should also be the parents and to some extent the athlete themselves. I would like to see some facts as to how the students in other states where these types of rules don't apply, are hindered, and hurt by the lack of said rules. I don't believe that can be done. There is also the assumption that nothing is learned from athletics and that school is only about academics. As a college graduate with graduate level studies, I find this opinion dangerous. It is the same type of thinking that potentially leads to the absolution of the arts, physical education and the whole bit. I personally grew up in an America which believed in many of the values learned in sports. In some ways, those values of hard work, learning to persevere, stick it out, doing what is good for your fellow man, were learned more in athletics than in mathematics. I am not knocking the academics but neither am I demeaning the value of hard work and dedication to excellence in the athletic field. For those to say, “here are the rules and if you don’t like them don’t go to public school,” it is equivalent to the kid on the playground who says, “It’s my ball and if you don’t like it you can go home.”
In closing, I guess the response given by sports fan and others is the primary reason of debate here. I personally don’t believe it is the responsibility of educators to protect my children, nor the children of any other parent with what they perceive as being “right” or “wrong”. That, I and I believe many others believe, is the parents’ responsibility. It is the educators responsibility to educate. As a former high school coach and educator myself, I speak on behalf of those who would disagree with this perspective. I know from personal experience of coaching high school in another state that did not have these types of rules that you can maintain a high level of academic excellence while at the same time allowing outside opportunities. The team I coached was allowed to participate in these types of events, even participate on other teams during the season and maintained a 3.7 GPA to obtain Pepsi Team Scholar status. Did I as a coach have to encourage strong study habits, yes, but I believe that should be a part of a coaches expectations as an educator anyway.
In closing, on many of these rules I think we would agree on, myself, sportsfan, Richard, even the two coaches, Coach Neil and Coach Mann, I just don’t agree with all of the rules. I do believe a specific question is appropriate to those coaches and those that disagree with my original post. What would be wrong or what harm would come about from a student attending and watching a clinic like described above. In any sport for that matter, again, not talking about participating or lacing up the shoes getting on the mat, on the basketball court or whatever sport you want to apply here. I am talking about watching. I personally hold it equivalent to a FFA student who attends a local judging contest to watch others judge cattle, sheep or whatever and then explain the judging process. Why one standard is appropriate and another not, is still beyond me.
