EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S BLOG
By Scott Farley
Executive Director, MHSFCA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S BLOG (5/17/2021)
SCHOOL YEAR CLOSES
Well, the 2020-21 school year is quickly coming to a close and it has certainly been unprecedented and one we will never forget. COVID-19 protocols have been dealt with, changed and dealt with again and again. Coaches have been on the front lines of school issues related to Covid and have been real heroes through it all. Thank you for all you have done (and continue to do) for your players, programs, schools and communities! Congratulations for making it through and good luck moving forward!
ALL STAR GAME ROSTERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED
Rosters have been set for the 2021 MHSFCA East/West All Star Game! The game will be played on Saturday, June 26 at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. Check out the rosters at http://www.mhsfca.com/assets/1/7/East_Roster.pdf and http://www.mhsfca.com/assets/1/7/West_Roster.pdf.
MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR MHSFCA MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Members – If you have changed schools since last season, please update that info with the MHSFCA. Contact membership chairman, Lenny Dantinne (lenny.dantinne@mcsdistrict.net) to make those changes. This will allow you to vote, receive awards and your players to receive awards in your proper region.
APPLY FOR DETROIT LIONS PRO BOWL GRANT!
The 2020 NFL season finished without a Pro Bowl for the first time in recent memory. In its place, each NFL team’s charitable foundation is making grants available to programs supporting youth and high school football. The Detroit Lions are teaming with the MHSFCA to provide tackle wheels (from Rogers Athletic) to 20 member schools. Apply today for this grant here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oPPdWwkqFDX3bwpT2CxeYAvcgzHR4Z_0Cw_qdMAI6G0/edit
SUMMER RULES REMINDER
Remember that MHSAA Summer Regulations begin on June 7 this year (Monday after Baseball Districts/Track Finals). Teams may have team activities in helmets for 15 calendar days starting June 7 and ending July 31. This includes 7 on 7 competitions, which are limited to 7 of the 15 days. Coaches can also work with 7 or fewer players on skill development outside of the 15 days. This does not include strength and conditioning activities. A 7 day, school-wide dead period must also be observed, where no contact with student-athletes can be made and school facilities must remain closed. Full MHSAA Summer Rules can be found at https://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/documents/fb/fbguide13.pdf on page 4.
MHSFCA LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
The selection process is well under way for the inaugural class of the MHSFCA Leadership Alliance Program. Second round materials are being evaluated and the class will be announced by June 1st. We are really looking forward to this being a great addition to the MHSFCA offerings of professional development!
CERTIFICATE UPDATE
Certificates for all region, all state and academic all state will be mailed to schools by the end of the school year. Many complications (Covid, a 300% increase in the number of awards given, etc.) has caused this delay. We do have a great plan moving forward to avoid delays in future years,
HALL OF FAME COACH PASSES
The MHSFCA mourns the passing of Tom Barbieri. Tom coached for 43 years at various Michigan high schools (Hartland, Gaylord, Boyne City, Dexter, Ann Arbor Pioneer and Jackson) and was a longtime member of our Board of Directors. In addition, he was an East/West All Star head coach, a member of the MHSFCA Hall of Fame and worked for over 20 years at the U of M Summer Football Camp. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and sons Angelo, David and Joseph. A full obituary can be found here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/dexter-mi/thomas-barbieri-10157724.
Scott Farley
MHSFCA Executive Director
517-285-7556
jhighfootball@gmail.com