A couple people have asked me to respond to these posts, because I am an attorney. I have been actively involved in KSHSAA activities (and Missouri, too-MSHSAA) for 10 or 15 years, and hear the same comments and criticism on an annual basis. These are my comments:
1. KSHSAA is a not-for-profit corporation founded under the authority of the KS Legislature. Its members are the high schools and Jr. highs in the state, and membership is voluntary.
(Because it is the only game in town, it essentially is a monopoly, and thus if you do not like its rules you have to go to another state).
2. It has something like 75 Board of Directors, who are educators, athletic directors, coaches, etc., according to the KSHSAA website. These directors are elected by the member schools. KSHAA is a democracy.
3. Because it is a democracy, the majority rules. If the majority wants a rule changed, they can vote it in.
4. My experience has been the majority of the members do not want the rules changed, for various reasons.
I have been told:
"If coaches are allowed to coach their athletes during the school year, we will be expected to coach them without an increase in pay, and we do not want that".
"If you eliminate the club participation rules, the 500 mile limitation, add games to various sports, or the other rules most of us object to, it will provide an unfair advantage to those who can afford these luxuries".
Etc., etc.
So what I am trying to say is my observation is that most schools in KS do not want these rules changed, they want them exactly the way they are, and this is done with clear intent.
Hope this helps.
Tom Williams
