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Mississippi High School Activities
Association
The story to date...
This is the information that we have
as it has come to us. We hope this helps gives some focus
to all of the discsussion
October 2005 - Parents
had to bring the MHSAA before the State legislature because
the MHSAA would not allow teams to attend Showcase Tournaments
during Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks. MHSAA agrees
to allow teams to attend two showcase Tournaments during
the “High School Season”.
October 4, 2006 – Three
south district clubs’ high schools receive calls
to their principals regarding player eligibility. HYSA
has several players playing on the Oak Grove team, they
are told that they could be declared ineligible. Pearl
High School warns U16G rec team not to form or be ineligible.
Lamar County School attorney states
that the High School Season starts at the beginning of
school. Read the (1) Hattiesburg
American Article, and the (2) follow-up
article.
Division I Vice President cancels MSA
League games so as to insure that MSA players are not
deemed ineligible according to the “finding” of
the Lamar County School board attorney.
HYSA President/Coach mark Wilson and
parent judge/attorney Honorable Jeff Stewart writes proctor
requesting clarification. Proctor agrees to meet with
him. (3) Read
the letter, and read the (4) response
from MHSAA.
October 9, 2006 – USYS
Region III Premier League Director- (Mississippi) cancels
Premier League Games so as to insure that MSA players
are not deemed ineligible according to the “finding” of
the Lamar County School board attorney.
Mark Wilson and Jeff Stewart begin phone
call and letter writing campaign to state legislators. Download
and (5) paste
this letter in any e-mail to your State Senator.
Write your own note if you’d prefer.
October 11, 2006 -
Mark Wilson, Jeff Stewart and Honarable Judge Deborah
Gambrell-Chambers meet via teleconference
After the teleconference the essence
of the meeting seemed to indicate that a waiver from
Dr. Enis Proctor will allow Division 1 Soccer to continue
until the start of High School Soccer Play.
He further states that he understands
that soccer operates differently from other sports. He
will continue to allow teams to attend two showcase tournaments
during the High School Season.
The MHSAA will hold a meeting on November
2nd to modify the current rule to remove the actual number
of players allowed/disallowed so that the teams coach
may determine the appropriate number of club players
to start for his soccer squad. (6) Read
the actual response to the teleconference meeting with
Dr. Proctor.
This apparently clears the way for continued
Premier League Play and attendance at the pre-high school
season tournaments, as well as rescheduling of Mississippi
Soccer League Games.
October 12, 2006 – Hattiesburg
American article regarding the current situation. Oak
Grove Principal Folks backs the players, Coach refuses
comments and tells players to make no comments. Read
the article (7) .
October 14, 2006 – Hattiesburg
American Opinion piece describing the actions of the
parties involved to date. Read
the Opinion Piece (8)
October 17,
2006 – Dr.
Proctor responds to a request for a written “memorandum
of understanding” between the MHSAA and Mississippi
Soccer players. Read
his response (9) to a request
for the signed memorandum.
December 4, 2006
In trying to get an
update to the latest rulings by the MHSAA after their
November Meeting, this letter was sent. (10) Read
the request
for update and then the MHSAA (11) response
dated December 05, 2006.
What’s Next? These
rulings do not specify of they apply to recreational
players, 95% of the Mississippi Soccer Members, so there
are still concerns. The MHSAA is due to meet on November
2nd, 2006. Write and call your High School Principal
and Athletic Director and express your concerns and urge
them to insure that your players rights to play are protected.
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