April 15 has long been held in ill repute because it’s usually the deadline for filing taxes with the Internal Revenue Service.  It’s also a due date with the MHSAA; but it’s a deadline for opportunities, not to avoid penalties.

It’s by April 15 that school administrators must advise the MHSAA in writing if they wish one or more of their fall sports teams to play in an MHSAA tournament classification or division for larger schools.  It’s a minimum two-year commitment made by 15 to 20 schools each season.  Click here for the current list of “opt-ups.”

April 15 is also the deadline for submission of cooperative program applications for fall sports.  This is where two or more schools combine students and resources to conduct a single program.  There are enrollment limits, and action is required by each school’s board of education and the local league in which the program will compete. Click here for the current list of cooperative programs.                  

By the way, the deadline for winter season opt-ups and cooperative programs is Aug. 15; for spring season it’s Oct. 15.