THE ORIGINS OF REACHING HIGHER
Because of special rules to limit coaches' compensation, national travel and live television, it is less apparent in Michigan than in some other parts of the country; but there is widespread opinion that amateur basketball is out of control in America. That it's in shambles, operating almost entirely outside of school/college control, but in the hands of corporate interests and unregulated agents. There is a sense that the sickness of boys and men's basketball is infecting the purer women's game as well as lower profile sports. There are predictions that the disease will soon spread to football.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has repositioned state high school associations toward leadership in improving the environment of amateur basketball to help restore integrity to the college game and to the recruitment of high school players.
While the elite athlete will never become the most central focus of high school athletic administration in Michigan, there is some danger that the corruption of the college recruiting process in basketball is spreading to other sports and settling to younger and younger athletes each year. Preserving the health and integrity of interscholastic athletics generally may require this proactive approach to this special population of players.
To that end, the MHSAA began its journey in assisting those athletes aspiring to play beyond high school with the inaugural boys and girls Reaching Higher Basketball Experiences in the Spring of 2009. The events were met with enthusiasm from participants, coaches, officials and administrators. Information for those events can be found here.
Please refer to this page frequently for new additions to the MHSAA's Reaching Higher initiatives.