A Message From the Executive Director …

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One of the goals in developing this monthly column was to have a public forum to address issues and aspects of the Athletic Union in order all could hear a consistent message.  We aren’t looking to “sell” any particular policy.  We realize in the athletic world, unanimous support for any rule or regulation is virtually impossible, as we tend to view the impact of rules and regulations on our own “team”, not on the interscholastic program as a whole.  However, the staff at the Athletic Union has appreciated the chance to explain and clarify our rules and regulations, and provide rationale for those rules and regulations through this column.

As a result, we haven’t taken the opportunity through this column to address various aspects of the Athletic Union operations that fly under the radar.  While we plan to address items such as budgeting, playing rule development, and activity funds in the future, this column describes one aspect of interscholastic participation we hope always plays out under the radar.

Helping provide for the safety of participants is one of the primary responsibilities of any athletic governing body.  Most playing rule changes today are born from safety related issues.  Unfortunately, despite the best study of playing rules, despite the best instruction and direction of coaches, injuries remain a risk of any physical activity.  Serious, life-threatening injuries, while rare, remain a major concern of the Athletic Union.  As a result, the Athletic Union has purchased “catastrophic” insurance for those who participate in our interscholastic programs.

This insurance provides coverage should participants, student managers, student trainers or cheerleaders suffer severe injuries or death in any school supervised practice or competition in activities sponsored by the Athletic Union, or even as a part of travel associated with practice or competition.  We purchase the coverage for these students, grades 7-12, in each of our member junior highs or member high schools.  This coverage is provided at no cost to our member schools, or their students.

Following is a summary of the policy benefits.  Exact wording is available in the master policy on-hand at the State Office.  The basic coverage provides a $10,000 death benefit, a $10,000 dismemberment benefit and most importantly, a $1,000,000 excess accidental medical expense benefit.   This medical expense benefit starts paying after the first $25,000 of expenses that are in excess of any other insurance.  Payments made by any other insurance are applied to the deductible. 

As is the case with all insurance, we hope to pay premiums on this policy forever without having a claim filed.  However, we know this insurance will serve to benefit any student and her family should a catastrophic situation occur.

Information on this policy is sent to the superintendent of schools at the start of the academic year.   In addition, you may contact Karon Brown at our office to learn more about this policy, or to file a claim.

The cost of catastrophic insurance far exceeds the $10 cost of a school’s membership in the Athletic Union and is perhaps the most valuable benefit of membership in the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union…a benefit we hope goes unused.

INSURANCE AS A CONDITION OF PARTICIPATION

We get an occasional question about the insurance requirements prior to a student being allowed to participate.  The only state-mandated requirement prior to participation is a physical examination.  It is not permissible to require a student have medical insurance prior to being allowed to participate.  However, schools may certainly ask the student/family to indicate whether such coverage is in place, and acknowledge the risk of participation, prior to the start of a season.

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

We are well into year two of the “no-pass, no-play” academic eligibility rule.  There is a study committee composed of members of the State Board of Education reviewing the rule, with any potential modifications coming forward this winter. 

As I was browsing through the Department of Education web site, I saw two appeal decisions concerning academic eligibility.  The link to appeal decisions on DOE web site is https://www.edinfo.state.ia.us/web/appeals.asp?  The relevant appeals are shown under Athletic Eligibility-Scholarship Rule.    

FUTURE COLUMNS

November – Strategic Plan

December – Playing Rules / Coaches Advisory Committees

January – A study regarding the life-long benefits of interscholastic participation

February – IGHSAU Budgeting / Activity Funds & Booster Clubs

If you have any areas which you would like to see addressed in these columns, please email me at troy@ighsau.org.