The Future of High School Football...Challenges and Opportunities

Chuck Schmidt

The Future of High School Football … Challenges and Opportunities

Chuck Schmidt, associate executive director of the Arizona Interscholastic Association, 
described high school sports as ‘Society with the volume turned up.’ With the landscape of high school sports evolving, the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) is required to change with it. AIA Mr. Schmidt provided an update to the organization’s initiatives in a number of areas.

Venues:
Selection of venues for post-season events has been affected by various factors:

• An IRS audit has changed the designation of workers at playoff venues from independent contractors to AIA employees
• Issues concerning liability for school spaces used by non-district schools are being addressed
• The AIA continues to be cognizant of school travel budgets when scheduling playoff events
• The AIA has partnered with USA Basketball in development of a new facility in Tempe, which would provide an indoor venue under control of the AIA to assist in liability issues. Outdoor venues are also being considered.

Insurance and Events:

• Catastrophic coverage is available for member schools and students involved in sanctioned contests. Coverage also includes transportation to/from events when district vehicles are used. Special events such as All-Star Games, Home Run hitting contests, etc., out-of-season leagues and transportation to/from events in personal vehicles is not covered. Member schools are responsible for coverage in any event not related to the actual contest. 

Officials:

• Challenges
• Recruitment of qualified officials – Currently losing 20-30 percent of officials annually
• Competition with Parks & Rec, Clubs and Canyon Athletic Association (charter schools)
• Synching timelines to meet District budget deadlines.
• Opportunities
• Greater online evaluation of officials is now available for coaches and administrators
• Greater management through the AIA Executive Board
• An AIA Task Force is working to adjust Bylaws concerning management of officials and identify competition in the market and address.

Litigation:

• Number of investigations has increased greatly over the past five years, focused primarily on accusations of recruitment
• Challenges to bylaws regarding International students and Hardship appeals are on the rise

As awareness of the dangers of concussions has increased, the AIA initiated a proactive response as far back as 2008. 

• Creation of ‘Brainbook’ requiring all student-athletes to complete a course prior to participating in athletics
• Coaches Education
• Officials Education
• Access to baseline testing for schools
• Creation of registry to collect data and track injuries.
• Creation of AZ 101 course for coaches outside of districts
• Adoption of “Helmet Rule,” where any football player whose helmet becomes dislodged must have the helmet inspected and sit out one play.
• Any athlete suffering a concussion/head injury may return to play after being evaluated by, and receiving clearance from, a qualified health care provider. 
• Bylaws have also been adjusted to define the amount of contact allowed in football practices during the pre-season and regular season. 

ASPRA Reporter Brian Killgore, Apache Junction Unified