(CHSAANow.com)

DURANGO — The CHSAA administrative staff hit the road on Tuesday to visit the Southwestern part of the state.

The staff members, who are staying in Durango, will visit schools and postseason sites through Thursday. They are also scheduled to meet with school and district administrators, as well as coaches, from around the area for a roundtable discussion.

“Our staff continues to be committed to building relationships with our membership,” said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “We feel the best way to understand and be aware of the different challenges and dynamics of their day-to-day operations is to see them in their world.”

On the way to Durango, the CHSAA staff also stopped in Buena Vista for a school visit.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

In this special installment of the CHSAANow.com Mailbag, we brought commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green in for a Q&A session.

This time, we tackled questions about her first year, eSports, charter schools, “district” teams, school spirit, a shot clock in basketball, championship games on TV, and much more.

To ask a question for the next Mailbag, use this form, or ask on Twitter: Tweet to @jryancasey

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If you think back to a year ago, what were you feeling at this time? How have things changed for you personally in a year?

(Steve Oathout)

A year ago, it was all about ideas and concepts. And a year later, it’s about calls to action and really delving into the responsibilities of the job. I think when you start off you have a mentality of, “Oh I want to do this, and this, and this,” but then when you get into the chair and into the daily routine, it makes it real. It goes from ideas and thoughts to action and realness.

You can start your morning with a to-do list but then you get in the office and there’s 40 urgent emails or phone calls you have deal with. As the new commissioner, everyone wants an audience with you. People want you to prioritize their to-do list. So I’m learning balance.

What are you most proud of in Year 1?

The relationships that I’ve built with the staff. They are the core of the Association and helping me to execute the mission of CHSAA.

What are some of the major things you hope to accomplish in the years to come?

I think a main focus will be the broader education of what CHSAA’s purpose is as an extension of the educational process. We will always be a voice of reason in regards to the purpose of participation, and advocates for kids.

Do you think we say “no” to kids too much?

I believe our roles have changed over the years to being less regulatory, and more service-oriented for kids, coaches, officials and our school communities.

We are balancing the mission of participation without compromising competitive equity. It’s a change in philosophy to embrace more participation — without eroding the culture of fair play.

eSports is emerging nationally as a potential competitive activity. I know you attended a session during the national meeting about it this summer, and have also seized on other opportunities to learn more about it. Where are we headed with eSports?

The interest has been overwhelming. We receive emails and calls urging us to explore the genre. 19 states will participate in this competitive activity in the 2018-19 season. We will take an opportunity to view their competitions and then chart our next steps as we move forward.

More than 22,000 students in Colorado are registered gamers, which means we are missing an opportunity to connect the high school experience and educational accountability to those students. And that would be our future goal — connecting the two.

Additionally, our job will be to dispel the stereotypes and educate the naysayers on our mission, as well as the incorporation of an activity that is on the rise with our students.

What is something you can teach high schoolers about leadership, and what’s something you’ve learned from high schools about leadership?

— @oh_reagan_o, Twitter

I would tell high schoolers to lead with authenticity and empathy and serve for something bigger than yourself. The other thing I would tell all of our participants is to enjoy the high school experience, and don’t put pressure on themselves or allow others to pressure you to be anything more than what you bring to the table. Be your best self.

As far as what I’ve learned? To be open to their interests, even if it may be counter to the historical thought process of a 100-year old state association.

Is there going to be consideration to change the way charter schools are granted CHSAA membership, and bring them more in line with the way traditional high schools are granted automatic membership through their school district? [Ed. note: According to bylaw 600, in order to become a CHSAA member, charter schools and private schools undergo a more stringent review process than traditional public high schools directly under the control and direction of an elected Board of Education for that district in which it resides.]

— Mike, Facebook

For any non-traditional school that hasn’t built a foundation, we vet them to ensure that both sides think through the responsibilities and accountabilities of being a CHSAA member, because unfortunately we have had some non-traditional members not survive in the educational field, and that negatively impacted our members.

Because of that, we feel the current process ensures a cycle of success.

Is there a chance to play the HS 3A,4A and 5A Baseball championships at Coors Field? The @Rockies seem like a great partner to do something like this.

— @LJmaximo, Twitter

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

Our goal is to provide the best possible facilities for all of our championship events. We will continue to investigate ways to bring a culminating championship to Coors Field. That is a goal. We would love to give our athletes that experience.

This is a combination of questions that we got for you on Twitter, one that you actually responded to already, but it’s also a common one we see in sports like hockey and lacrosse:

So-called “district” teams often have a lot of success, and that leads to some questioning why individual schools don’t have their own teams. What are some of the hurdles there, and are there ways for us to encourage new programs?

The decision to add or delete programs is done at the local level. We trust that our schools look at interests, finances, etc., within their local construct to determine if they want to add or delete programs. And we support their decisions.

CHSAA is a 359-school membership. Our office is guided by their needs, interests and wants.

What are you doing to directly influence and improve school spirit at sporting events across the state? Most schools that do have a lot of school spirit and energy have a lot of financial backing. How will CHSAA use their influence over scheduling, postseason, rules for spectators, and school administrations to push for increased school spirit?

— Peter, Denver

We are excited to present this summer with Varsity Brands on a new platform about raising school spirit and embracing culture within the school, using athletics and activities.

(Renee Bourcier/bourcierphoto.com)

We have other initiatives, such as #BackMyTeam, which is a social media campaign specifically designed around increasing school spirit. That will be coming back again this fall.

In addition, we have CHSAA leadership and sportsmanship summits, which give kids tools to go back and make a difference in their schools, because school spirit is the core of inclusion.

Are we going to have a shot clock for high school basketball? And when are we going to 30 games in a basketball year?

— Toni, Denver

The shot clock is a national debate that’s being piloted by some states, and I would say the Colorado membership is 50/50 on the idea. We will continue to monitor the pilot programs.

An increase in basketball games has not been submitted by a CHSAA league, and if that were to happen the membership would vote on whether or not to increase games. It hasn’t come up for a discussion or a vote.

More and more research shows an overwhelming connection between CTE and youth football and concussions. While there have been improvements in helmets and techniques, children are concussed at an alarming rate.

What specifically is being done to address this and what responsibility does CHSAA own for the long-term effects of concussions, knowing now the direct correlation between youth concussions and CTE?

— Chris, Sterling

Our responsibility as an Association is to all participants in the area of safety and risk minimization. Our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has become more involved in the creation of safety bylaws and mandates to ensure that student-athletes are participating in the safest environments possible as recommended by national safety councils.

In the area of concussion, we have strengthened our return-to-play protocols, we have partnered with a company that will provide a local school tracking system for students diagnosed with concussions, and we continuously update our website with the latest information, which is accessible to the public, parents and students.

As a longtime Denver resident, I remember all the years when KWGN-2 and later KCNC-4 would televise the state basketball championship games live. Now, the games are only shown on [the NFHS Network], which requires a high-speed Internet connection and shuts out some viewers. What can CHSAA do to help bridge that gap?

— Richard, Denver

We recently acquired an opportunity to partner with a local broadcast group, and may be able to bridge that gap in the future. But as always, we encourage you to come to the games.

I know the CHSAA is limited on anything to be done about the trend of specialization, but would like to have your thoughts?

— Jim, Castle Rock

I think that specialization is more a large-school issue, as small schools tend to utilize all of their students to participate in their programs, and they’re needed to help those teams.

I think the high school experience is enriched when students participate in multiple activities, not just athletics. Things like music, student leadership, chess club, robotics, knowledge bowl, ultimate frisbee and eSports. The hope is for them to contribute to the bigger picture of their high school, the bigger picture of their school culture.

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To have your question answered in our next Mailbag, use this form.

(Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

Next week, we have a Q&A set up with Rhonda Blanford-Green as she heads into her second year as the commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association.

We’re going to turn it into a hybrid Q&A/mailbag format, giving you the chance to have your questions asked.

If you’d like to ask a question, use this form, or ask on Twitter: Tweet to @jryancasey

We expect a wide range of questions, so similar topics may be grouped into one question.

(Mariano Mantel/Flickr)

CHICAGO — Nine CHSAA staff members and members of the Association’s Board of Directors arrived here Thursday to attend the annual NFHS Summer Meeting.

The meeting — which is the 99th in history — is a five-day event featuring various workshops, panels, discussions, sessions and awards. It is an opportunity to exchange ideas on a nationwide scale.

Three CHSAA staff members will be leading discussions:

• Assistant commissioner Bethany Brookens will lead the fine arts roundtable, which includes music and speech.
• Assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann is presenting a session on participating in multiple sports and activities.
• Associate commissioner Tom Robinson is presenting on students participating from home, charter and virtual schools.

The Summer Meeting also includes the NFHS Hall of Fame induction ceremony, as well as the ceremonies for the Spirit of Sport and Heart of the Arts awards.

Next year’s Summer Meeting, the 100th, will be held in Indianapolis — where the NFHS is headquartered.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

One of Colorado’s most celebrated all-around athletes, sports game officials and CHSAA Associate Commissioner Tom Robinson will be presented with the Joint Effort Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m. at Manual High School Thunder Dome.

Robinson is being recognized for his many years of service to the Colorado High School sports community through his work at CHSAA, but also for his many years of committed service to his community as a sports official and for his work with the Cleo Parker Dance Studio, one of the finest dance studios in the world. Robinson’s wife internationally recognized choreographer, Cleo Parker Robinson.

“We are pleased to recognize the work and contributions of Tom Robinson. Tom is a bridge between high school sports and community and is one of the truly ‘good guys’ in the Colorado youth sports landscape, John Bailey, Joint Effort Director, said on this announcement.

“Tom Robinson is one of those rare individuals who has enjoyed success at every step of his life. He was an exceptional athlete, teacher, coach and athletic official. He has the credibility in the community because he is a product of the community, whether it’s sports, officiating, or the entertainment community. That credibility comes from being genuine, caring and deliberate about what he does,” CHSAA Assistant Commissioner and long-time colleague Bert Borgmann said.

“The young people of our state have benefited from the work that Tom has done as a teacher, coach and official.”

Robinson is in his fourth year as Associate Commissioner, after serving 13 years as Assistant Commissioner. He started at CHSAA in after a 30-year teaching career at Regis Jesuit High School where he taught all levels of mathematics, including AP Calculus. He was a teacher at the school from 1969 until 2001 and served as the school’s director of diversity from 1995-2001. He was a member of Regis Jesuit’s Board of Trustees from 2003 until 2012.

While teaching at Regis, Robinson was the varsity basketball coach for 10 years (1983-93), varsity golf coach (1993-95), and was an assistant coach in football, basketball and track (1969-83).

His primary responsibilities for the CHSAA office include golf and officials, but he has developed a sporting behavior program that has earned recognition from member schools based on the premise that fans should “Cheer for Your Team and Not Against Your Opponents.”

He was named the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame’s Outstanding College Official, receiving the Award in 2008. He has also been awarded the John Adams Officiating Award, sponsored jointly by the CHSAA, Mountain West and Western Athletic Conferences.

From 1975-2000, he was a collegiate football official for the western Athletic and Mountain West conferences, and currently serves as replay official in the CFO West, which serves the Big 12, Mountain West and Southland conferences. He worked the Bluebonnet, Fiesta, Rose, Cotton, Gator, Independence and Citrus Bowls. Prior to that he was a high school football official from 1969 to 1975. He was given the Outstanding Service Award from the MWC upon his retirement from on-field coaching.

He moved into a position as a collegiate replay official, earning the responsibility of handling the replay officiating duties for the 2017 NCAA title game between Clemson and Alabam.

A 1969 graduate of Colorado State University, Robinson ran track and played both basketball and football, while earning his degree in mathematics. He earned his master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Denver in 1982. As a student at Regis Jesuit, he was named to the football All-State team.

He is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations’ Football Rules Committee and has served a term on the Basketball Rules Committee. He has also served as a board member for the National Association of Sports Officials.

He and his wife, Cleo Parker Robinson, have shared 47 years of marriage and have one son, Malik.

(Bethany Brookens/CHSAANow.com)

Bethany Brookens, CHSAA’s assistant commissioner who oversees volleyball and equity, among many other things, was inducted into the Overland High School Hall of Fame on Saturday.

It was the inaugural class for the Overland Hall of Fame. The class also included Gary Alexander, Nancy Blackwell, Sean Hicks, Ryan Hume, Brian Kelley, Jamie Long, Sean Moran, Mike Schenbeck, TJ Schenbeck, and the school’s 1984 gymnastics and 1979 girls track sprint medley relay teams.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized with such a distinguished group of Overland alumnus,” Brookens said. “It was very special to be surrounded by family and friends.”

Brookens, a 1998 graduate of Overland, played volleyball, basketball and tennis for the Trailblazers. She went on to play collegiate basketball at Davidson College in North Carolina, and later player pro basketball in Ireland.

At CHSAA, she also administers tennis, swimming, field hockey, skiing and music.

“It’s no surprise that Bethany is being honored,” said CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green. “We have seen from her time with us that her leadership skills have always been on display. Her athletic talents speak for themselves, but she’s grown through every step of her career. She’s a shining example of what high school activities can do for students.”

In addition to her duties at CHSAA, Brookens is a member of the Board of Directors for Sportswomen of Colorado. She has previously worked for the United States Tennis Association.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

AURORA — A sports management group from Azerbaijan visiting Colorado stopped by the Colorado High School Coaches Association clinic on Friday, and were given a tour by CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green.

The group, which included eight delegates and two translators, was visiting as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). They are on a three-week tour of the United States, with stops in Washington D.C., Denver, Colorado Springs, Cleveland, Charlotte and Boston.

Their project’s theme is “Sports Management and Sports as a Tool for Social Change in the U.S.” They are visiting various organizations to examine strategies, observing best practices and meeting leaders.

On Monday, the Azerbaijani delegation had multiple conversations with a number of organizations, including with Jim Lord of USA Cheer, and Tom Southall with Paralympics and Special Olympics.

Blanford-Green spoke to the group about CHSAA’s mission for high school athletics, specifically using them as an extension of the classroom and a way to help develop a well-rounded young adult.

“We were honored to be involved with the Azerbaijani delegation, and look forward watching the further development of their youth sports programs,” Blanford-Green said.

The delegates work for various organizations in Azerbaijan, including paralympics, their national olympic committee, the ministry of youth sports, in sports journalism, the state academy of sport, their basketball federation and the ministry of education.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

AURORA — CHSAA’s Rhonda Blanford-Green and Ernie Derrera addressed a group of more than 800 coaches on Friday morning, and made clear how important their jobs were in the lives of young athletes.

Speaking at the annual Multi-Sport Clinic held by the Colorado High School Coaches Association (CHSCA), Blanford-Green, in her first year as CHSAA commissioner, spoke to the impact coaches have.

“Your voices — your actions, things that you do — make a difference on the grassroots level more than the eight of us that sit in a building (in Aurora),” she said. “We need you. Coaches are the ones that take our message forward. They are the ones that speak to the mission and the vision of the Association. I am just honored to serve as your commissioner. Everyday, you are making a difference.”

Blanford-Green reflected on the importance of her own high school coaches when she was a star athlete at Aurora Central.

“They impacted my life, and they make a difference for me, even now, on a personal and professional level,” Blanford-Green said.

She spoke about the importance of the relationship between CHSCA and CHSAA — “We are making a concerted effort to expand all the things we’ve done,” she said — and about how coaching today transcends wins and losses.

“We are building lives,” Blanford-Green said, “and we are building kids for a lifetime of participation.”

Derrera, the assistant commissioner who oversees coaching in the CHSAA office, echoed Blanford-Green’s message.

“The people in this room, and your colleagues who aren’t here,” he said, “you probably have the biggest impact on athletes in students, even when you don’t know it.”

The CHSCA clinic continues through Saturday with all types of workshops for coaches to attend, and speakers to listen to. This year saw the clinic draw more than 800 coaches, the most in its history.

(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

(Lance Wendt/LanceWendt.com)

The start of the Fall 2017 sports season is a little over a week away, and things are ramping up as a result.

As of Wednesday, every bulletin for the fall sports season has been posted. They are all available on the Bulletins page, as well as the individual sport pages.

On Thursday, the annual multi-sport clinic for the Colorado High School Coaches Association begins. It runs through Saturday. More than 700 coaches have registered.

All CHSAA administrative members will be speaking at the CHSCA clinic, and CHSAANow will have a booth on site where we’ll be giving away books, shirts and other items. Coaches will also be able to sign up to vote in the weekly coaches polls at the booth.

In addition, commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green and assistant commissioner Ernie Derrera will address the entire conference on Friday morning.

Then, CHSAA’s annual All-School Summit runs next Monday and Tuesday. The Athletic Secretaries/Finance Directors Summit is also on Tuesday.

A week later, boys golf practice begins on Aug. 7. And then it’s basically non-stop action until the end of May 2018.

AURORA — With the start of the 2017-18 season around the corner, a few assignments within the CHSAA office have changed.

Kenzie Hewson has been named the Director of Business Operations, and associate commissioner Tom Robinson will lead the Tournament, Playoff and Finance committee, while also overseeing state tournament site selection.

In addition, new assistant commissioner Ernie Derrera will administer wrestling, boys and girls soccer, and student leadership. Assistant commissioner Bud Ozzello will be overseeing boys and girls lacrosse, football, softball, ice hockey, and speech and debate.

Bud Ozzello, right. (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

CHSAA commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green announced the changes on Monday in an email to all 354 member schools.

“My vision in reassigning duties was to look at the strengths of our staff, as well as the needs of our membership, to produce the best result,” Blanford-Green said. “These decisions are made to ensure our levels of expertise best serve our membership and our school communities.”

Hewson took over bookkeeping duties prior to the 2014-15 school year. Her new title brings her in line with similar positions in other state associations across the country.

“The National Federation has created a curriculum because of the accountability and fiscal responsibility that now goes along with this position,” Blanford-Green said.

Ozzello had administered soccer since he started with CHSAA in 2010. He has already held multiple meetings with regard to football’s alignment, and has others scheduled for later this week.

“I’m looking forward to overseeing football and lacrosse,” he said. “With football, we’ve got a lot to focus on in the coming weeks and months as we prepare for the new cycle and our committee meeting in December. We also can’t wait to dive into lacrosse, and prepare for that spring season.”

Derrera started at CHSAA on July 1 after a 17-year career as a teacher, coach and school administrator. He recently finished leading the annual Student Leadership Camp.

“I’m new to this job, so I’m learning anyway,” Derrera said. “I’m excited about what I’ll be overseeing, and I’m looking forward to being more involved with soccer. Being able to watch from a new perspective is going to fun.”