Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, August 16, 2002 Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools NARRATIVE In November 2001, The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, convened an “Ad Hoc Commission on Athletics in Diocesan High Schools.” In his letter of appointment, the Bishop states, “… all aspects of our Catholic schools, without exception, must support and reflect the primary mission of Catholic education, which is the handing on of our Catholic faith and the provision of a quality education. Athletic programs in the context of our Catholic high schools must also support that mission. When the integrity of our program is questioned, we must honestly examine them, commend what is worthwhile, and correct whatever is inconsistent with the values of our Catholic schools.” Bishop Tobin appointed a five member commission which represented a broad array of pertinent experience. These commissioners would devote much of the next seven months to its twofold task. The full cooperation of the Office of Catholic Schools and the Diocesan High Schools was pledged to the Commissioners as they embraced their charge. Appointed: Rev. Msgr. John P. Ashton, Ph.D.: Commission Chair; Pastor, St. Lucy Roman Catholic Church, Campbell, Ohio Edward L. Batanian: Ohio High School Athletic Association; Secretary, Northeast District Athletic Board, Ashtabula, Ohio (resigned after several meetings because of a medical condition) Laurence F. Bove, Ph.D.: Professor of Philosophy and Ethics; Walsh University, Canton, Ohio Victoria S. Conley: Executive Director; Sisters of Charity Foundation, Canton, Ohio Mary Beth Houser, Esq.: Attorney at law; Newman, Olson & Kerr, Youngstown, Ohio Wallace J. Dunne: Served as Representative of the Office of Catholic Schools The work of the Commission was divided into four phases according to a timeline which resulted in a report to the Bishop in June of 2002. The four phases of the Commission’s task were: 1. Gathering information In this phase the Commission determined the kinds of documents and reports that it needed from the schools. Included in the list of required materials were: *A list of the athletic programs of the school *A roster of school athletes, including address, whether they are in or out of the school boundary, last school attended and whether financial assistance is given. *A report of all financial aid given at the school and the rationale for this aid. *Job descriptions of the Athletic Director and coaches *Copy of the 2000 and 2001 athletic budget of each school *Copy of the school athletic handbook, including its mission statement *Copy of the Constitution and Bylaws of each athletic booster organization *List of all coaches and the sport for which they are responsible *List of all those known to represent the athletic interests of the school to the community 2. Interviewing key persons in each school Following a period of review of the submitted documents, the commission scheduled on-site visits at each of the schools. The Commission consulted with the administrative team of each school, the athletic department leadership and coaches, key booster personnel, students and parents. Those who were uncomfortable raising a question at the group meetings of the commission were invited to submit their concerns in writing or to schedule a private meeting with commission members. The interviews at each school were guided by, but not limited to, ten questions. 1.Does the spirit of the athletic program support and advance the mission of Catholic education? 2. Are the ethical standards and religious values expected of every Catholic school evident in the athletic programs of the school? 3. Are expenditures for athletics accounted for and approved through the recommended diocesan budget process? 4. Does the administration adequately supervise the recruitment, transfer, and financial-aid processes? 5. Is there evidence of recruitment targeted specifically for athletes? 6. Are inducements such as financial support, scholarships, or promises of prominence offered to athletes by school personnel, boosters, or other community supported persons or organizations? 7. Is financial assistance given directly to prospective athletes by persons or organizations not associated with the school, with or without the knowledge of the administration? 8. By percentage, is more financial assistance given to athletes than the rest of the student body? 9. Should present high school boundaries be changed? Abolished? 10. How many “out of boundary” students are involved in athletics? Is there a pattern? 3. Studying the resulting information A thorough analysis of all the information gathered began after the visits to the schools had been completed. In large part, this phase called for an organization of the findings and the crafting of a concise report to Bishop Tobin. 4. Presenting a written report to the bishop On June 11 of 2002, the Commission presented its report to Bishop Tobin. The Conclusions and Recommendations that follow are the unanimous result of the deliberations of the Ad Hoc Commission. The conclusions and recommendations that follow were sent by the Bishop to the Office of Catholic Schools for implementation. It will be clear to the reader that some of the recommendations require change that can only occur with intentional, cooperative efforts over a period of time. It will be equally clear that some remedies evident within the recommendations can be accomplished quickly. In either case, the Office of Catholic Schools and the Diocesan High Schools are committed to the goals set before us so well by the Ad Hoc Commission. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The charge to the Ad Hoc Commission on Athletics was to “highlight those areas… which best support and advance the mission of Catholic Education and to identify any aspect of the programs which require alignment with that mission.” The six Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Youngstown are excellent institutions. This was quite obvious from the information gleaned from the school visits by the members of the Ad Hoc Commission on Athletics. The administration, faculty, and staff are doing an outstanding job at fulfilling their responsibilities of providing an education in a Catholic environment. They are to be commended for their energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the cause of Catholic education. They work under limiting circumstances but their exuberance for the cause of Catholic education and the achievement of students entrusted to their care knows no bounds. As our diocesan high schools stand as powerful institutions of religious and academic excellence, we must recognize the contributions of our wonderful students, dedicated parents and appreciative alumni. Except for some isolated instances, the athletes in the diocesan high schools are a credit to the institutions they represent. Their abilities and achievements truly mirror the instruction and development they receive from knowledgeable and effective coaches. With regard to athletic programs, the Commission found no widespread abuses of recruitment, scholarship or eligibility policies. In the judgment of the Ad Hoc Commission, there are issues that need attention. These matters of concern are categorized as those needing immediate attention, followed by general recommendations, and finally, items needing attention at the individual high schools. I. Immediate attention A. A sense of community 1. Develop a healing process among all six high schools and the Office of Catholic Schools. 2. Develop a process to enhance a six-school com-munity. B. Boundaries 1. Modify geographic boundaries consideration given to dual zones and shifting demographics. 2. The same boundaries should apply to public school athletes as presently apply to diocesan students moving from the elementary to high school. 3. Allow out of boundary transfers (from one dioc-esan high school to an other diocesan high school) for the following reasons only: a. The “Alma Mater Rule”, that is, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters of alumni be permitted to attend the alma mater of their siblings or parent as they choose. b.The need for a special program for a student, not just specific courses or time blocks. These special programs may be a series of courses designed to meet the diagnosed needs of the student or a set of curricular offerings intended tochallenge the student in a specific discipline of study. C. Athletic organizations 1. Each school should have only one athletic organization/booster club. That organization is to be under the direct control of the principal of the school. 2. Funds of such organizations must be deposited in and dispensed through the school business office. D. Financial aid 1. All diocesan high schools must use an independent financial-aid assess ment service to determine the recipients of “needs-based” financial aid. 2. Establish a financial-aid committee in each high school with diocesan approved by-laws and guide- lines. 3. The Office of Catholic Schools should review the “Adopt-a-Student”and “Work Study” scholarship pro grams and develop standardized guidelines. II. General Recommendations A. Grade Point Average: Study the impact of a gradual increase of the minimum GPA for athletic participation from 1.0 to 2.0. B. Coaching staff 1. Establish an annual orientation process for thecoaching staff in all the diocesan high schools which would emphasize the values and goals of Catholic education. 2. Inform coaches of the standard diocesan policies and procedures for enrollment. 3. Establish the position of Diocesan Athletic Director to insure uniformity in the athletic programs and orientation process in the diocesan high schools. 4. Provide parents, students, and school personnel with A Guide forSuccessful Parent-Coach Communications or something similar. C. Publicity campaign 1. “Marketing” our “product” is absolutely essential to the survival ofCatholic education. We should makeno apologies for “marketing” not just our athletic programs but all the excellent academic opportunities inour high schools. 2. Conduct a diocesan-wide publicity campaign at the appropriate times, i.e., school registration time, late summer, early fall, in the secular and religious press, radio and television. 3. All pastors should recognize Catholic schools during Catholic Schools Week and other appropriate times throughout the year from the pulpit as well as in the weekly parish bulletin. D. Financial analysis 1. Develop a set of financial ratios that would allow for monitoring of athletic expenses for the six-school system. This data should be prepared for the past five years and maintained on an annual basis. 2. Annual audit reviews of the individual schools must include evidenceof compliance with the internal controls developed by the Diocesan Office of Financial Services and the Office of Catholic Schools. III. Items needing attention at the individual high schools A. Cardinal Mooney High School: With the assistance of the Office of Catholic Schools, Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline will develop and participate in a reconciliation process. B. Central Catholic High School 1. Identify all sports related accounts and assure that these are included in the audit reviewed accounts of the school. 2. Resolve the matter of the stadium use in a manner acceptable to both Catholic high schools in Canton. C. John F. Kennedy High School: Place all funds raised for athletics under the direct control of the principal. D. SS. John and Paul Catholic School/St.John High School: The football program is the smallest in the state. Due to the cost of furnishing equipment for the football players and the cost of transportation for games, this program would benefit from continued monitoring. E. St. Thomas Aquinas High School 1. Combine the efforts and resources of the “Knightliners” with the school athletic booster organization and place all existing funds under the direct control of the principal. 2. Make sure all personnel understand that the Sisters of Charity Foundation scholarship funds are solely needs-based without any additional adjectives in their presentations and literature. F. Ursuline High School 1. Combine the “Athletic Council” and its resources with the operation of the school athletic booster organization and place all existing funds under the direct control of the principal. 2. With the assistance of the Office of Catholic Schools, Ursuline and Cardinal Mooney will develop and participate in a reconciliation process.   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001