Time To Play "Let's Switch Schools"

Here we go again with another year of accusations, be they done with some professional class or others with downright finger-pointing. The subject this time: recruiting in high school sports.

Teachers have to be very careful at accusing others because, well, it doesn't look nice. Oh yes, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation would not be too happy with educators, shall we say, upset with others in their line of work. Every year, there seems to be more and more.

So I am told, students can pick and choose schools for courses, music and drama programs and more — but when it comes to athletics, make that varsity sports, the so-called optics of stacking teams with very talented athletes is a no-no.

There are exceptions for everything. There are also schools with exceptional athlete programs and issues continuing to crop up about certain sports schools having advantages over others.

Things had been quiet, likely because of the summer break, until lately when the chatter has picked up about some very good football players leaving one school and showing up at another. You guessed it, showing up at schools that have solid football programs. Otherwise, the quiet would continue.

The rants are spread out across leagues, but more so accusing the private or independent schools of getting an advantage over their supposed poorer cousins in the public and Catholic boards of education. The transfer rule is again the hot potato and teachers, coaches and parents are not happy. Students are tight lipped and, they tell me, amazed at the way things are being handled. Many continue to blame the Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association for not taking a tougher stand on this annual problem — and they might have a point.

Yes, there are rules and, like everything, some rules have loopholes. That is leaving some people very creative and others very frustrated. Should students be allowed to transfer from publicly funded schools to private schools and even from private schools to Catholic schools and still be eligible to compete?

This is a tough one, especially when private schools are offering packages of financial assistance - and some interesting athletes figure why not take it. But I am also starting to wonder if the time has come for Ontario to test the rule used in the United States: students who transfer schools must sit out one year.

This should cut out some of the luring of elite athletes and the desire by others to switch for what many claim is to have the better coaching, the prestige but to also be on a winner. For those who agree, I am sure there are many who will see this from another perspective and argue students who switch for legitimate reasons shouldn't have to pay the price.

Give Participation Awards To Every Student Athlete

You have likely heard about all those Little League baseball players who, win or lose, get a trophy. I know, many of them have closets full of trophies just for participating.

To some, it means a great deal. To others, maybe not.

Going through my e-mail, some readers think that it's not a bad idea to encourage more participation in high school sports: and do so by giving every athlete an award.

Hold on, that's not to say individuals and teams should not compete for the glory of championship trophies, certificates, medals, banners, plaques, badges —- and there must be many more things given out.

Talk to high school athletes and coaches. They'll tell you that once they commit to playing for their school, it's all about bringing home the gold. Fine, but should it always be about winning? What about sportsmanship and the love of the game?

Some interesting reports and studies debate the merits of winning and the effects of losing. I'm not going to get into a debate on sports psychology but I will ask: is a team, or individual, a winner if he or she only has a trophy? What about those who have won all year, but lose the big one for any number of reasons? Is it tough luck? Some people have told me that the losing team learns a great deal too.

Schools, and teams, have an assortment of award presentations and usually at year-end. In addition to the Athlete of the Year, many schools have the top Academic Athlete of the Year, the Most Valuable Player, the Most Improved Player, the Top Graduating Athlete, the School Sport Leader and on and on. Lots of awards.

One reader, who said he just finished doing a university thesis on the benefits of awards for student athletes, believes from his research that every athlete should get some form of an award —- even if it's only for participation.

Maximum of Four Years of Sports Eligibility - Agree or Disagree

With a new school sports year creeping up, I find the variety of correspondence that I have received from readers the past few months on a variety of topics to be very interesting. Lots of things on the mind of coaches and parents, not to mention student athletes and teachers - many, who are not coaches.

One of the issues ticking off people is allowing students eligibility to play sports while they are in a fifth year of school. J. Leslie of Georgetown writes "that may have been fine when we had a Grade 13 (and a sixth year was the issue) but no more". And he is not alone. Others are quite perturbed and use examples and language that I can't share with you. There is concern for injury and liability.

Larry Evans of Oshawa wants the Ontario Ministry of Education to set the tone with rules. Here we go, rules - and we all know there are lots of loopholes. I can just see teachers, volunteering their time to coach, accepting more directives from Queen's Park. Sharon Carpinello of Mississauga writes that if a student needs to return for a fifth year to improve grades, be it for university or college, the student should be allowed to partake in the full range of extra-curricular activities.

Even this is an issue according to Brian Rasmussen of Toronto because he believes the educational system should put the priority on grades, nothing else. I would hope that teachers are keeping track of academic progress and shutting the door on students with dismal grades and attendance. Ah, school first - right?

There is also a significant amount of frustration allowing students who graduated, yes graduated, to return for a fifth year for sport only. Douglas Wood of Burlington e-mails saying the pitch from students that "I'm not ready for college or university" (and maybe some fit in to this category) is really an easy way for the star athlete to be back for a fifth year of football or hockey or whatever. He has a point - because students have told me that line as well. The courses they take are also quite an array of interesting subjects. Then, after the sports season ends, the student disappears.

The majority of people seem to think there is a moral and ethical problem here. Students waiting for a chance to move up, play that game or take on a starting role, again get pushed aside - so the elite player is back for another shot at a championship. In many cases, one player can make a huge impact on a team. From a physical standpoint, 20-year-olds playing against others several years younger is another topic for debate.

Not sure whose lap this falls on - an athletic association or a school or a board of education or a teacher or a parent. Who makes the final call on this - or does it drag on for many more years?

School Playing Fields Fit For Disaster

Not sure whether you may be a supporter of keeping those Toronto high school pools open - or not.

As I have admitted before, I'm a swimmer. So, you know where I stand. Former Toronto Mayor David Crombie, and others, appear to have reached their objective. Costly, maybe. But people now have a chance to keep in shape, students can pursue goals and lots more. I know the debates on both sides.

Here's what concerns me. If monies could be found to keep the pools open, why can't someone also find some finances, or corporate sponsors with money, to deal with cleaning up school playing fields? Some have potholes worse than what I drove over the other day.

Took a trip out to see some today and, well, you can guess what was on the bottom of my right shoe. The left had a gash from a piece of glass, likely from a beverage bottle. Not sure if alcoholic or not. Might need a metal detector next time. Many school fields are in terrible shape in Toronto - grass needs to be cut, many remain un-marked and some look like a war zone. Add in the stuff I stepped in too.

I'm not blaming the caretakers. Heck, they do a superb job keeping the indoors spick and span. Outdoors, someone should do a thorough inspection before allowing students to partake in practices and games - and what happens when they fall, trip or get tackled?

I'm not sure if fences and locks are the answer. Did notice some cameras on the brick walls on five schools. I wonder why? Alright, so pet lovers need to carry bags and maybe a few more garbage cans need to be put out - and kept empty - to try send a message about bottles and cans and other contraptions

Better to do it now than to read about students hurt and parents calling lawyers.

Decisons, decisions, decisions.

So, if I understand this correctly, the folks who call the shots on when and where the annual high school football Bowl games occur have to make a major decision in the next week or so.

It couldn't have been done sooner because, well, teachers have been on vacation the past two months.

Up for debate, play the games, stacked one after another, one day indoors at the Rogers Centre in late November like they have done a few times.

Or, have some games at select universities around the province with a few, like the Metro Bowl, still on the home field of the Argos. It's also a home field for the Buffalo Bills too - at least, for one game this year.

I have heard the debate many times: these kids want to play where the pros play - even though the cavernous place attracts a few hundred fans at best for each game. I wonder how much of the hype to play these five games at the Rogers Centre is really from the coaches, the league convenors and the sports advisory group?

And now, the Bills in Toronto Series people have offered the facility for free. To some it makes sense. But, really? These are high school games. The Vanier Cup, the university national final, is set for outside in Quebec City.

For years, there is an atmosphere of football outdoors in this country. This is Canada where it snows and I have been to pro games played outdoors in, yes, inclement weather.

What ever happened to the days of playing these high school finals outdoors at smaller venues - like Esther Shiner Stadium, a facility used regularly for school games with seating and even free parking?

Or, how about Bowl games played in their regions to build fan support. Having games played at university sites also does something for trying to keep players at Canadian post-secondary schools, which would make university recruiting a touch easier.

Looks like Nov. 26 or Nov. 30 are the dates - if the games are at the Rogers Centre. With a late start to school, that would squeeze leagues to get schedules and local playoffs done, maybe even two games a week. And, just to play indoors.

Outdoor games buy more time, flexibility and makes more sense. The strange weather we've had, it may even be warm. Then again, I do believe most people have gloves, boots and a warm coat.

Ready, set, snap...

The first day of high school is still a few weeks away - and, yes, there has already been plenty of email chatter from folks who are hungry for football talk - teams, players, who's going to win the championships and more. Lots of rumours and gossip too.

No practices have been held. Well, official ones that are under the supervision of coaches. Mind ya, we do know that players have been training and, sometimes, in groups hoping to get the physical edge - if there is any.

So, I'm ready. Time for my comments and the Toronto Star's high school pre-season look at the senior gridiron teams to beat - candidates for the Metro Bowl and Golden Horseshoe Bowl trophies.

St. Michael's is No. 1. Yes, again. The defending Metro Bowl championship team has been hit hard with the departure of many key players, but a boatload of others are ready to move in - and from the Toronto private school team that won the Ontario junior trophy.

It's then pick and choose time with a bunch of schools. While some like Huron Heights from Newmarket, others point to St. Marcellinus led by quarterback Brandon Bridge. How about Don Bosco? That's the team that many like to write off and yet Toronto politician and head coach Rob Ford has done marvels with this program.

Birchmount Park is no push-over. Rumblings from Northern, like every year too. Markham's Brother Andre might be up there along with Lorne Park in Mississauga. Pickering and Donald Wilson tend to be the front runners in Durham despite losing their marquee players, but Holy Trinity from Courtice - having lost just two players - gets my nod. Halton could see a non-Burlington team at the top, but Notre Dame, Nelson and Assumption will shake that off.

And one other team - the sleeper. Every year, someone comes out of nowhere to challenge. Funny things, including injuries, transfers and ineligibility, do happen in this school game.

Rana graduates to University Coaching

A summer afternoon and just before the weekend comes a big announcement from the local basketball world. Good and bad news, depending on how you view it.

First, the good. Roy Rana has had enough coaching hoops at Eastern Commerce Collegiate helping to make the mid-town Toronto high school program one of the best, if not the best, in the province.

He's been hired by the smallest university in town - Ryerson University. The objective: to build some credibility to that mens basketball program - one that went 12-10 last year losing a nail-biter by two points to cross-town rival York in the playoffs.

Now, the bad. He'll be missed around the high school scene - other than when he's around shopping for talent.

Although Rana is good at what he does, and he always had time for me knowing his team would get both attention for success and criticism for the way they played, his input and more created a great deal of jealousy among peers in the school system.

He always meant well, but many couldn't deal with Eastern Commerce winning this and winning that. Perfect by no means, Rana was still one of the top coaches in the high school system and had a way of bringing the best out of players.

Yes, players came from all over the city to be on his team and Rana was often being accused of recruiting. Hey, kids want to play for winners and his teams won a good share of Ontario medals and more than a dozen Toronto and regional championships. Not bad at all.

Rana is one who put academics before sports. He has some good credentials in basketball and played a part in Canada qualifying for the World Cadet championships next summer in Germany. He's been involved in elite player development in Ontario and was on the provincial school basketball advisory board.

Let's see what he does with Ryerson. Good luck Roy.

Dr. Gene Sutton - A Mentor and Friend for Thousands

Got some news this week that was quite upsetting.

My good friend Gene Sutton, yes a Canadian icon, passed away a few days ago in Hamilton. She was 64. We had a story in the Star.

Gene and I had been buddies for years. We always shared some interesting stories about gymnastics, which she knew better than anyone in this country. Often reminding me about the need for stories and more stories about the sport, she was always accessible for an interview even though she wanted the attention on young people.

A promoter, a coach, a judge, a teacher - the list goes on. She made a huge difference, a big impact, in the lives of thousands of people.

I am told that a celebration of her life is being planned for later this month. Maybe September. Funeral is private.

One day, I shared a story with her about how I fractured my ankle when I was in high school during a phys. ed class - and it happened when one of those large wooden box horses and I just did not get along. She told me that any plan I had of becoming a Canadian Olympian in gymnastics was over. She was quick with the jokes too.

I remember one time when she called and said a special event was happening at some Ontario Gymnastics dinner and asked me to attend. I did not have time but, for Gene, I found a way. Gene surprised me that night with a special award for promoting the sport in schools. Then, on the stage while smiling for pictures, reminded me that she would be watching for more athletes to be featured in stories.

And, yes, they have been.

School gymnastics has been declining for years - especially in the Greater Toronto Area. Gene did not like that and had some choice words when she heard rumblings that the OFSAA final would no longer happen. Boys gymnastics has not been around for many years and she was not thrilled with that either. Schools, she said, were worried about liabilities. Yet Gene would always say wrestling, rugby and football had more injuries.

There will likely be a variety of awards set up to honour Gene. The one she would want more than anything: to see this sport thrive in schools. So, all right, there is a challenge to the educational and sport communities. Teachers and coaches take note.

Goodbye Gene. Yes, I will continue promoting this sport and will always remember everything you have done.