Leading off today: The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has an idea, and the organization's timing might be just right.
On the heels of viral moments on football fields in Michigan and Pennsylvania this past week, KOMO-TV reports that the state's governing body for high school sports has instituted fines for bad behavior by coaches, athletes, and parents.
A WIAA study showed more than 750 ejections per year the past two years. That sounds like a lot of bad behavior in a state of just 8 million residents, and the organization has begun issuing fines of up to $200 to schools for each ejection of a coach, player or parent.
"Something has to change the behavior, and that's really what our focus is on with implementing these fines and fees," said Justin Kesterson, the WIAA's WIAA assistant executive director.
The largest number of incidents has been in boys soccer. In that sport, a player can be ejected for language, and a school will be fined $100, Kesterson said.
By the way, the money collected is being earmarked for the purchase of body cameras to be work by select officials as a deterrent to bad behavior.
Section 5 school forced to move football games
You know what might solve this problem?
Maybe look into moving the games to a college in Monroe County.
Possibly find one on the west side.
Perhaps administrators could walk the perimeter of the district grounds to get some fresh air and maybe come up with some inspiration.
Who knows, sometimes the answer is staring you right in the face.
Another week is in the books
Here's the rundown of
Week 3 results in New York high school football.
By the way, we are still searching for a new correspondent to help us with the rankings and all-state process for New York City. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please email me at jmoriello@yahoo.com.
Milestone
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake girls volleyball coach
Gary Bynon reached 900 wins with a victory last Thursday, The Times Union reports. His squads have earned 28 Section 2 and nine NYSPHSAA championships.
Kentucky takes unique approach to transfer rule
Some high school athletes who don't get much varsity playing time will have more latitude in transferring to a new school under a rule approved at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association's annual full membership meeting last week.
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, varsity athletes who play in less than 20% of their team's regular-season games in any prior school year as a freshman, sophomore or junior will be able to transfer to a new school and play without having to sit out a year, the Lexington Herald Leader reported.
The measure passed by a 168-59 margin.
"When the board looked at it in September, they really tried to make sure the purpose was clear. It's not trying to open the floodgates," KHSAA commissioner Julian Tackett said. "It's trying to maybe get kids who probably shouldn't be subject to (prior rules) out of the filter and focus on the athletic advantage aspect.
"So many of our members are so opposed to a free transfer, they'll try something that maybe chips away at the problem, which is the wrong kids being ineligible."
