I have spoken with several coaches this year and all seem to be frustrated by the number of games that have had to be rescheduled due to conflicts with stadium facilities (football). The athletic director for our school district told me that our Principal should contact FHSAA with this concern and then the District AD would follow up with a letter of his own. He also mentioned that FHSAA does not really care to hear from the coaches and that the Principals voices are the ones they listen to.
Over the last four years (since the school start dates have been adjusted) the scheduling conflicts with football stadium facilities early in the soccer season has gotten worse. Athletic directors and football coaches do not want the soccer lines on their fields until after football season is over, the fields are used for football practice at many schools and as such soccer games cannot be scheduled that have early start times, and many players (who are playing football, swimming, or running cross country) are missing over one quarter of the soccer matches for the season if their sport qualifies for the playoffs. This is a direct result of the adjustment of the seasons when schools were starting in early August, and then the change to a later start date mandated by the State Legislators. Preseason soccer for the girls now starts with three weeks of regular season football games left the regular season soccer games start the following week.
Moving the soccer season start date to coincide with the basketball start dates would have the first game after the regular season games for football have been completed and would create issues only at schools that were still in the football playoffs. It would also eliminate conflicts with all swimmers and cross country runners except those who qualify beyond the regional tournaments.
I spoke with our referee assignor and she is at her wits end with the changes that have been made this season. I know our schedule has been impacted more than any years in the past, and several other soccer coaches have called me expressing their frustration this season as well.
Have your principal petition FHSAA for this change!
Over the last four years (since the school start dates have been adjusted) the scheduling conflicts with football stadium facilities early in the soccer season has gotten worse. Athletic directors and football coaches do not want the soccer lines on their fields until after football season is over, the fields are used for football practice at many schools and as such soccer games cannot be scheduled that have early start times, and many players (who are playing football, swimming, or running cross country) are missing over one quarter of the soccer matches for the season if their sport qualifies for the playoffs. This is a direct result of the adjustment of the seasons when schools were starting in early August, and then the change to a later start date mandated by the State Legislators. Preseason soccer for the girls now starts with three weeks of regular season football games left the regular season soccer games start the following week.
Moving the soccer season start date to coincide with the basketball start dates would have the first game after the regular season games for football have been completed and would create issues only at schools that were still in the football playoffs. It would also eliminate conflicts with all swimmers and cross country runners except those who qualify beyond the regional tournaments.
I spoke with our referee assignor and she is at her wits end with the changes that have been made this season. I know our schedule has been impacted more than any years in the past, and several other soccer coaches have called me expressing their frustration this season as well.
Have your principal petition FHSAA for this change!
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