If that's the case, then why don't all the individual schools already have those rules in place?

And, you did leave out one very important person that is not included in the OSAA - the parent. And, isn't that who is ultimately responsible for teaching behavior?

I guess I feel legislation should be used for what the vast majority agrees upon. In this case, (as is the case many times), a select few determines how many should act, without a clear consensus. There is, for example, a clear consensus on racial comments. That is fine to legislate. There is not a clear consensus that reading a newspaper during player introductions is bad behavior. Therefore, that behavior should be left up to the individuals directly involved, not a quasi-governing body who quite probably has never even set foot anywhere near the school involved.

Doesn't matter - they didn't make the playoffs this year.

How do you not make the playoffs with Superman on your team?

Just ask how Michael Jordan did before he got a supporting cast.

"One Man Team."

Tim,
You indicated that the OSAA does not establish rules. Who established the new "sportsmanship rules" that the OSAA seems to be enforcing? I am guessing that it was not the owners of the Oregonian or any other newspaper -- this new rule has to hurt sales:D.

Speaking of the Oregonian. Check out this link: The Oregonian newspaper: Oregon News - OregonLive.com

I can only guess that the elementary students were all taken to the principal's office for disrespectfully covering their eyes before the "Cat" appeared.

Maybe the surprise wasn't the Cat himself, but the Grinch! :eek:

Ref Ump,
I am sure that the Grinch has long been banned from Oregon member schools. After all, the Grinch has a negative attitude toward things. ;)

Sam I Am!!!
 

Or maybe they ate Green Eggs and Ham.

Peace

I did not state an opinion, so I don't know the basis for your conclusion that we disagree.

I linked your remarks to the thread title. I did not thereby endorse the OP's standpoint.

~Sigh~
 

I do not know how other states work but in Oregon parents have no say in what is taught in the classroom. If the sporting event is an extension of the classroom then there would be little to no interface with parents.



The member schools under the OSAA title brought the concerns to the Executive Committee of the OSAA. This committee reports to the delegate assembly of all high schools (in Oregon both Private and Public Schools operate under one umbrella for sports, band and debate type activities) therefore the schools thought the problem needed addressing.

Yes, the OSAA is the only punitive operation under Oregon Department of Higher Education. The OSAA has the ability to fine, suspend or otherwise penalize schools for violation of rules established by the General Assembly of Oregon State High Schools.

Regards,

No, OMSI is not a member of the OSAA. I know, because I used to work there. Really.

For those of you from outside the Northwest, OMSI is the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

So, your statement, "The "OSAA" does not establish rules they are simply the independent organization that keeps the voluntary member schools in line," appears to be false.

If the "OSAA" didn't estalish the rules, who did? Santa?

~longer sigh~
 

And you missed my point entirely - who is the ultimate teacher of what is right and wrong? Isn't it the parent? Who should be most responsible for instilling values in the kids? The parents, right? Granted, in today's society, sometimes parents aren't around, or don't do their job, but then that responsibility falls on the next in line - the teachers and administrators. Why should some group that, you admit, has no contact whatsoever with parents, be responsible for telling kids what is and isn't morally acceptable?

But if <B>the schools themselves</B> thought there was a problem, how come <B>the schools themselves</B> aren't doing something to fix it? Are <B>the schools themselves</B> powerless to control what happens in their own gyms? Or is it more likely a few (the Executive Committee) feel they need to impose their view of morality unto the majority?

I guess I am dense (I really mean that BTW) -- the SCHOOLS did try to fix the problem. They did it be going to the "process" that coordinates "fix" it statewide.

Rather than having the process leave things to independant schools the Executive Board (i.e. school "people") went to the General Assembly of the OSAA to make a "rule". That august group selected the wording and asked the OSAA to sheriff the penalty.

I cannot explain this any better.

The schools under the OSAA selected to have the rule written.

The opinion if the rules went too far are really not germane . . . the schools wanted an organized effort to clean up as issue that they thought was failed.

It is obvious I am not the correct person to explain the process and for that I apologize.

Regards,