I would never argue that athletic programs are more important than the academic programs of schools. In fact, here are the first four of the “Ten Basic Beliefs of Michigan Interscholastic Athletics” found in the MHSAA Handbook:
Nevertheless, it worries caring, cautious people like me that school districts have found it necessary to reduce essential oversight of their programs during drastic local school budget restructuring. For unlike most academic programs, the interscholastic athletic program operates in an arena of high emotion and risk of injury. People get excited, and people get hurt.
These programs do good things for students and our communities only when they are well run; and they cannot be as well run as they can be and should be with inexperienced, part-time administrative oversight.
From the Director is the official MHSAA Blog which will touch on pertinent school sports topics periodically throughout the school year from various MHSAA Staff.