Southeastern Conference athletic departments to compete in cross-team Board of Director's Cup
Winning a Southeastern Conference championship in swimming, as seen above, will now count toward the Board of Director's Cup Trophy.
Chris Asadian | AnnArbor.com file photo
Starting this year, it will.
SEC BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S TROPHY
First place - 3 points
Second place - 2 points
Third place - 1 point
Academic scoring
First place - 6 points
Second place - 5 points
Third place - 4 points
Fourth place - 3 points
Fifth place - 2 points
Sixth place - 1 point
A top-three finish by a team in the league standings will now earn a school’s athletic department points toward the SEC Board of Director’s Trophy. A school receives three points for a first place finish, two points for second, and one for third.
Just like in the sports that comprise the cup, an SEC Red and SEC White champion will be crowned.
SEC SPORTS
Football, girls golf, boys soccer, girls swimming, boys tennis, volleyball, girls cross country, boys cross country.Winter
Boys swimming, wrestling, boys bowling, girls bowling, boys hockey, girls basketball, girls basketball.Spring
Baseball, softfball, girls track, boys track, girls tennis, boys golf, girls soccer, boys lacrosse.
The “bugs” which White refers to is figuring out how to factor in academic performance or less quantifiable measures like sportsmanship
“There’s not exactly a rubric for sportsmanship, so we just had to figure out some things besides just giving teams points for winning,” White said. “Some schools were more reluctant, thought it would be just the strong schools getting more accolades, but when we broke it down there is more balance within the conference than our ADs originally thought.”
SEC SCHOOLS
Ann Arbor Huron
Ann Arbor Pioneer
Ann Arbor Skyline
Monroe
Saline
Temperance Bedford
White Division
Adrian
Chelsea
Dexter
Tecumseh
Ypsilanti Community
Ypsilanti Lincoln
In the event of a tie - academically or athletically - both teams receive the amount of points for the higher place.
“People think of us as an athletic conference, but we’re an academic conference, too and we wanted to reward schools for performance in the classroom,” White said.
A school’s bottom five sports will be thrown out so that the playing field is leveled for smaller schools that don’t offer as many sports. Every championship is worth the same.
So while more people may show up to watch the SEC Red championship basketball game, it’s worth the same as the cross country championship and boys and girls sports are worth the same.
“From my standpoint, looking at what we’re going to do in Saline, we’re looking at it as a way within for programs to support each other and hopefully other schools will too,” White said. “ All the sports are worth the same and the more we get points in all sports, the closer they come to getting that trophy.
“It’s a way to recognize sports that don’t get as much attention, and for all those teams to rally behind something together.”
The plan is to have the trophy presented to the winning school at its home SEC football opener. There will be a large traveling trophy that the winning school keeps the entire year and a smaller one the schools get to keep.
“We’re hoping it builds some excitement,” White said. “We want to get players excited about winning a league title, not just in the MHSAA playoffs.”
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
zucker
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
Let me see. 1. The trophy probably costs $50. 2. It gets the schools (athletes and fans) talking and supporting their teams. 3. Points are awarded for ACADEMIC accomplishments. 4. It SOUNDS LIKE FUN. 5. At the end of the day, it's really not THAT BIG A DEAL. We have such bigger issues to deal with in our schools. A little fun might be good for all of our spirits.
Shawn Letwin
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 9:25 a.m.
@thinkingone Sportsmanship takes many forms. Chants by a losing team at any level, including conference championships, whichrevolve around sayings such as "Who has the grades? We have the grades" will speak volumes about that school district and the character (sic) of those involved. I see that as taunting and a central issue of discrimination against those districts that maybe severely impacted by the various socioeconomic factors which limit academic achievement. I certainly was not expecting such cheers such as the one you brought to this forum (and I am sure there are many similar in theme) so I really no longer see this as a good idea. But with that said, there are lots of good ideas, but for one reason or another should not be implemented and this ideas has certainly more than one reason now...money is one thing, but to then taunt winners by calling them out as dumber...nope! Any team, school crowd, etc. that loses, and basically says, well, we are smarter than you at the end of the game is...well, a loser.
ThinkingOne
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
My last comments. You are really stretching here. No one mentioned taunting. My remark was merely to suggest that there will be some pride in grades as well as pride in on-field results. Not all things that teams say to motivate themselves are directed at opponents or are even heard by opponents. Additionally, the article clearly states that the award will be presented to the winning school at their first home conference game of the season. So who are they going to taunt after this competition among 6 schools that lasted the entire previous school year? I believe there will be some excitement at winning this award, as there would be at winning any award. To suggest that then the winning school would start taunting the school they happen to be playing in football that night is I believe misplaced. And you have mentioned that there are many other 'opportunities' for schools to differentiate themselves from each other. Has taunting been a problem at Quiz Bowl competitions? At marching band demonstrations? After debates? After the MHSAA hands out their academic awards? While there certainly have been some taunting issues in the area at some sporting events, I really find it hard to believe that adding this annual award will lead it to new levels. Like I said, either you like it or you don't. Before you thought it was a good idea, but a waste of money and time. Now you think it's a bad idea. Whatever - you just don't like it. That is your right. However, I just do not find your arguments against it very compelling.
Shawn Letwin
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 3:35 a.m.
@ThinkingOne There are plenty of metrics already in place for districts to say we have the grades. Your selective targeting to only a portion of my response is what IT IS. So again, IT IS all about wasting existing resources just to say, you may have beaten us in game, but "We have the grades"...whoopdee doo. Districts continue to differentiate themselves with the accomplishments of their Debate teams, Forensic teams and Ocean Bowl teams, Robotic teams, etc. Not to mention that the conference already acknowledges individual academic achievement of the student athlete, as well as MHSAA acknowledging it too (see Dexter Men's and Women's Swim Team for 2012-2013). I just believe that given the financial constraints of each and every district, the AD's and the academic support groups should spend there time on other time intensive activities to address the real needs of supporting student-athletes (lowering pay-to-play, maintaining opportunities for sports at the lower grades, etc.). But why stop there? Go all in and include the same "fantasy/mythical championship" for the bands too! And then go even further with, well my Dad can beat up your Dad. Enjoy, take care and be well.
ThinkingOne
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:08 a.m.
True that the schools have other means to 'differentiate' themselves academically. However, none of them necessarily involve athletes. This is an attempt to make athletes bring something to the championship table other than athletic skills and a 2.0 GPA. Now team members still have to contribute even when their sport is 'out of season'. I will question your assertion that this is going to involve some large sum of money or massive investment of time. League championships are already determined on a sport-by-sport basis, so the cost of that is near zero. And the schools compute every student's GPA every single semester. Your own statement that there are other avenues (such as the MHSAA) that already use this information seems to indicate that gathering it is either already being done or can be done easily and quickly and cheaply. (I doubt I have been to more than 2 or 3 team banquets over many years where the coaches didn't brag about the team GPA.) Essentially, we are left with the following costs: Entering the numbers into a spread sheet; purchasing the trophies; delivering them to the winning school. (And after the first year, it will be purchase the trophy, singular.) You can debate philosophically about the need for this, and whether or not it will do its intended job. But you have already said in one of your posts that it is a 'good idea', just not necessary. I don't think that the cost of 2 trophies spread over 6 schools would be a cost that would derail this concept. And like anything else, if it doesn't seem to be doing its job after a few years, they can stop.
Shawn Letwin
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 9:44 p.m.
@Pete But money is an issue. A big issue. Right intent, very wrong time to consider doing. Are you aware of any other HS conferences in Michigan that has a similar competition? Are you aware of any other HS conferences regionally that has a similar competition? Are you aware of any other HS conferences nationally that has a similar competition? If yes to any of the above, please share some specifics (name of conference, how long, specific metrics, or any other information to better inform this taxpayer). The article makes no reference to the AD's modeling this competition other than... "We want to get players excited about winning a league title, not just in the MHSAA playoffs." Now to your question. A good idea. Yes. Necessary. NO! Change is either because we just want to, or we need to address a real issue (which should be taxpayer driven). I see this as just a chest thumping, look at me, rah, rah, rah, we are better than you...nah, nah, nah, nah, nah that is more ego driven than making a change to address a real need for student athletes. If a student needs this competition to drive their grades up, then there are other issues/failings for that school district. As a former officer of ABCD, 2 year chair of concessions for ABCD, and parent of a D3 college swimmer who really benefited from her participation in HS athletics, I just don't see the "have to" in this. Look forward to more reports on the items the AD's are addressing that are "have to do" and not stuff that is "want to do" such as this Directors Championship.
ThinkingOne
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 1:57 a.m.
Shawn This is quite a departure from a lot of the people on here who see no value at all in the current status of HS sports. You apparently see a lot of value in the status-quo and no value in this new plan. Just seems odd that you are so very for the status quo and so against this plan. This is at least some attempt to increase the value of grades in HS sports. Notice that you can get a maximum of 3 points for winning your division, but 6 points for being the top academic team. This pretty much means that the top academic team will trump the athletic team easily. If the 'chest-thumping' you speak of includes some chanting of 'Who's got the grades? We've got the grades!" then so much the better.
thedime
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 11:16 p.m.
@Shawn, I actually attended high school in Toledo, when the main league was known as the City League. There was an all sports trophy presented to the leading school. Points were gained in the eight CL sponsored sports. If I'm not mistaken, it was named Libbey something or other, in reference to the Libbey Glass Co. Yes, it was dominated by the Catholic schools in the league, it was a source of pride to say you were the all sports champion. As the Toledo Public Schools floundered, the more prosperous members formed a new There Rivers League. They in turn have the same type of setup for sports champions. In my experience it has been around since at least 1974. Almost every league in Ohio has something similar. I think this mamby pamby attitude about high school sports in Michigan is the clear reason that there isn't an even playing field. Devin Gardner can't play his Senior season of basketball because he played in an all star game. Michigan is the only state with such a ludicrous policy. Their travel policy is even more ridiculous, consistently keeping elite teams and players from playing top notch opponents from across the country.
Pete Cunningham
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 10:56 p.m.
For those unfamiliar, ABCD is (I believe) in reference to the Athletic Booster Club of Dexter. I am not aware of any other athletic departments doing similar programs, nor was Rob White. At the college level, there is the Capital One Cup and the Learfield Sports Director's Cup.
ldwc
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 8:25 p.m.
I wish the Saline Athletic Department would've chosen to spend time on their internal process to make sure the school policy is followed regarding grades. Our child struggled with schoolwork and if someone gave him an easy way out, he took it. If he was getting an E in a class, he was still allowed to practice and compete due to the infrequency of their grades checks. He needed to be home or at the tutor, spending extra time getting his grades back up. While we had our own household policy re: grades and extra activies, it would've helped to have the school back US up on the priorities. WE had to call the athletic dept and request a grades check for our child, just to get them to enforce their own policy. Then as a result, if they did hold him from practicing because of grades, they only did it once and didn't make sure that the grades had come up before they let him rejoin. As parents, it would've helped to have the school make academics come first. We got some strange looks when we actually wanted them to not let our son play until he got his E grade up. They say they want parents involvement in education, but why doesn't the athletic department support us when we simply want them to closely (and regularly) follow their own policy? It doesn't send a good message to these teens, when you have a policy that you don't enforce.
Pete Cunningham
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 8:50 p.m.
Outside of the issues that arose with your personal situation, or whether or not you think it should have been done by the league's athletic directors, is this a program that you think will be a positive one? Do you think your son would have cared about the competition during his time as a student athlete and been motivated to bring his grades up for the purpose of the competition?
Shawn Letwin
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 7:30 p.m.
Really? We need to have been using taxpayer monies at the AD level to develop this program and then continue to use even more resources from every AD department and the academic functions to compile wins/loses, eligibility and academic achievement for thousands of students across the county each and every year? How about figuring out how to keep the costs down? Or how about finding ways to increase participation by providing conference scholarships/corporate sponsorships for the league to help athletes with the ever increasing pay-to-play fees? The athletic programs have plenty of excitement. They don't have plenty of money. Find more money then maybe think about finding a mythical champion.
Pete Cunningham
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 8:11 p.m.
I don't think efforts to keep costs down, find sponsorships, fight pay-to-play fees, etc. are being decreased by the athletic departments taking on this competition. This is simply a report on one thing that has come out of the ADs meetings. There will be other reports on the athletic departments working on the things you mentioned in the very near future. Separate of the other issues you brought up, what are your thoughts on this competition? If money weren't an issue, would you think it was a good idea?