NFHS Bars Blair Academy from Ironman
NFHS Bars Blair Academy from Ironman
Blair Academy Ousted From Walsh Ironman
Willie Saylor, Editor
The National Federation of High School Associations has blocked Blair Academy (NJ), the Preseason #1 team in America in FLO's release, from competing in December's Ironman.
The Ironman (Walsh Jesuit HS, Cuyahoga Falls, OH) is roundly regarded as the best in-season high school tournament in the sport. In addition to serving as the unofficial kick off to the season, the Ironman plays an integral part in determing national rankings, and almost without exception, the National Championship.
A staple at Ironman and atop the rankings, Blair has won the Ironman 11 times and was named National Champions 11 times.
Blair National Title Teams: 1996-1997, 2001-2006, 2009, 2012-2013
Blair Ironman Title Teams: 1995, 1998, 2001-2005, 2008-2009, 2011-2012
The issue at hand is the start date for New Jersey teams as legislated by the state's governing body, the NJSIAA, which prescribes December 20th as the first date for competition.
Here's where things get a little convoluted: Blair isn't even a member of the NJSIAA. As a Prep school, Blair is a member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools.
There are a number of intriguing (and frustrating) questions to be answered.
1. Why is Blair being held to bylaws of a governing body it doesn't belong to? Is it simply because they reside in a state in which another board has another set of rules?
Answer: That could be a slippery slope. Think of all the hypotheticals. If the NFHS held every competition and school to bylaws of organizations they're not affiliated with, you could see more of this type of thing (and not just in wrestling). I'm no lawyer, but I can't see how this is legally justified.
2. Why now? Why after 19 years of Blair Academy participation at the Ironman, are they (the NFHS) investigating and ruling on this now?
Answer: There was a whistle-blower. When large interstate tournaments like the Ironman are put together, it must be sanctioned through the NFHS. While working through that process, someone objected to Blair's inclusion.
This is conjecture, but some of the suspects could be: A) a new team to Ironman, B) directors of other tournaments that are miffed that Blair wouldn't (or couldn't) attend their event, C) coaches or administrators at other New Jersey teams. "C" is highly unlikely, and another theory, that it was a school or schools from Ohio have been proven false by the fact that the OHSAA (Ohio's governing body) arbitrated for Blair's inclusion.
3. Why is New Jersey's start date so late?
Answer: This is an old question, and one that frustrates winter sports fans in the Garden State. But it's rearing it's ugly head again. NJ fans have always been disappointed that the wrestling season started so late and that NJSIAA schools couldn't participate at Ironman. With a mid-December start date, winter sports seasons in NJ are less than three months long.
In the end, it's bad for the sport and the kids. Once again beauracracy, politics, and perhaps whining, interfere with what's best for all parties.
The Walsh Ironman will be alright. They still have 6 of the Top 10 and 11 of the Top 25 teams in the country there this year, and that's about their annual average.
Blair will be alright. They still have a beefy schedule and remain the most visible brand in high school wrestling.
What's not alright are the circumstances. Beauracracy is frustrating, and in this particular case, something is certainly 'fishy.'
Willie Saylor, Editor
The National Federation of High School Associations has blocked Blair Academy (NJ), the Preseason #1 team in America in FLO's release, from competing in December's Ironman.
The Ironman (Walsh Jesuit HS, Cuyahoga Falls, OH) is roundly regarded as the best in-season high school tournament in the sport. In addition to serving as the unofficial kick off to the season, the Ironman plays an integral part in determing national rankings, and almost without exception, the National Championship.
A staple at Ironman and atop the rankings, Blair has won the Ironman 11 times and was named National Champions 11 times.
Blair National Title Teams: 1996-1997, 2001-2006, 2009, 2012-2013
Blair Ironman Title Teams: 1995, 1998, 2001-2005, 2008-2009, 2011-2012
The issue at hand is the start date for New Jersey teams as legislated by the state's governing body, the NJSIAA, which prescribes December 20th as the first date for competition.
Here's where things get a little convoluted: Blair isn't even a member of the NJSIAA. As a Prep school, Blair is a member of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools.
There are a number of intriguing (and frustrating) questions to be answered.
1. Why is Blair being held to bylaws of a governing body it doesn't belong to? Is it simply because they reside in a state in which another board has another set of rules?
Answer: That could be a slippery slope. Think of all the hypotheticals. If the NFHS held every competition and school to bylaws of organizations they're not affiliated with, you could see more of this type of thing (and not just in wrestling). I'm no lawyer, but I can't see how this is legally justified.
2. Why now? Why after 19 years of Blair Academy participation at the Ironman, are they (the NFHS) investigating and ruling on this now?
Answer: There was a whistle-blower. When large interstate tournaments like the Ironman are put together, it must be sanctioned through the NFHS. While working through that process, someone objected to Blair's inclusion.
This is conjecture, but some of the suspects could be: A) a new team to Ironman, B) directors of other tournaments that are miffed that Blair wouldn't (or couldn't) attend their event, C) coaches or administrators at other New Jersey teams. "C" is highly unlikely, and another theory, that it was a school or schools from Ohio have been proven false by the fact that the OHSAA (Ohio's governing body) arbitrated for Blair's inclusion.
3. Why is New Jersey's start date so late?
Answer: This is an old question, and one that frustrates winter sports fans in the Garden State. But it's rearing it's ugly head again. NJ fans have always been disappointed that the wrestling season started so late and that NJSIAA schools couldn't participate at Ironman. With a mid-December start date, winter sports seasons in NJ are less than three months long.
In the end, it's bad for the sport and the kids. Once again beauracracy, politics, and perhaps whining, interfere with what's best for all parties.
The Walsh Ironman will be alright. They still have 6 of the Top 10 and 11 of the Top 25 teams in the country there this year, and that's about their annual average.
Blair will be alright. They still have a beefy schedule and remain the most visible brand in high school wrestling.
What's not alright are the circumstances. Beauracracy is frustrating, and in this particular case, something is certainly 'fishy.'