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Total effects of OHSAA voting may not be felt for a while

By now, most people know that the OHSAA membership of more than 800 schools approved 12 of the 14 referendum issues. Rightfully so, the two that were voted down were the most talked about and heavily debated.

Prep athletes, in Ohio, will not have the opportunity to generate money through Name, Image and Likeness. I agree that high school sports should not be about money. I think the schools voted with that mindset. But, I don’t think the OHSAA’s idea was formed with that thought process..

The OHSAA was simply trying to get out in front of something that’s going to become a real issue down the road. By implementing regulations and guidelines, the OHSAA – and its member schools – could control the narrative.

The way the OHSAA had devised it, it was very similar to how college athletes are benefitting. The student-athlete couldn’t use the school name or OHSAA in its branding nor could it represent anything that has to do with alcohol and/or tobacco. Plus, it couldn’t use school facilities. Basically, the school was taken out of the equation and off the hook.

With it being voted down, all it’s going to take it is for one student-athlete’s family to challenge this in a courtroom. When he or she wins, the OHSAA – nor the membership – will have no say in anything.

It’s a vote that I truly believe the schools are going to regret.

The other hot-button issue dealt with a student at a public school being allowed to play a sport that his school doesn’t offer at another public school.

That rule currently exists, but for non-public schools. A student at a non-public school can attend the school in his home district to participate in an extra-curricular activity that his school doesn’t offer. Students in public schools aren’t afforded the same opportunity through the current law.

This referendum issue would have allowed that, but again, for reasons unbeknownst to me, the membership said no.

In all honesty, I believe the issue involving the public schools could be more impactful than the NIL vote. Students are transferring schools at a rapid rate across Ohio and this issue may have stemmed that tide to a degree.

However, similar to elections for public offices and issues, the voters have spoken and majority rules. So, we must all live with it (at least until it’s taken to court).

I will say I was very impressed that nearly every member school returned its ballot. Similar to most elections – there are times when voter turnout isn’t as good as it should be.

OGLEBAY PARK GOLF CLUB

The annual Generations Dubie Dailer Memorial Tournament, which played as a 2-man scramble, was held last Sunday at Crispin.

The duo of Bryan Myers and Joe Doerr prevailed with a score of 57 on a scorecard playoff over Tim Roberts and Justin Doeer.

Travis Frye and Yadhu Urs posted a 58 to finish solo third, while Zach Herink and Matt Herink were fourth with a 62. Rounding out the top five waas Bob Clark and Penn Kurtz with a round of 62.

In the handicap scoring, Johnathan Kreiter and McKenzie O’Brien posted a round of 57 to win by a shot over George Templin and Jay Davis. Wally Chlon and Drew Eberle finished third with a 59.

Closest to the pin prizes went to O’Brien (No. 2), Rich Humphrey (No. 5), Dougie Lucas (No. 7), Joe McGlumphy (No. 10) and Templin (No. 13).

SETH’S SCOOPS

DR. JOSEPH Maroon – a St. John Central graduate and OVAC Hall of Famer – recently competed in the National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale. Maroon, 82, finished second in the triathlon in the competition that featured 12,000 men and women 50 years and older.

LINSLY GRADUATE Nate Rush was once again named First Team All-Presidents Athletic Conference after a brilliant season in which he hit .336 and drove in 26 runs. The Presidents captured another PAC title and are playing this weekend in the NCAA Tournament

BARNESVILLE graduate Zach Thompson is part of the NCAA Division II baseball tournament as a pitcher with Walsh University. The Cavaliers won the GMAC title last weekend.

BEALLSVILLE PRINCIPAL Casey Tolzda was voted onto the Eastern District Athletic Board and will begin his tenure on Aug. 1.

RIVER GRAD Ryne Romick, who is now the top assistant on the Dennison baseball staff, is back in the NCAA Division III tournament. The Big Red entered Friday’s opening-round game against Penn State Harrisburg with a 33-9 record. They defeated Wooster to claim the North Coast Athletic Conference title once again.

MARIETTA COLLEGE won the Ohio Athletic Conference title and wrapped up one of the top national seeds in the NCAA Division III Tournament. St. Clairsville grad Matt Busby has appeared in 18 games and is hitting .289 for the Pioneers. Cambridge grad Trent Valentine is one of the Pioneers’ top pitchers and boasts a 12-1 record with a 1.83 ERA.

THOUGH IT worked out because Thursday’s weather was gorgeous, the Eastern District’s decision to cancel all scheduled baseball and softball games last Wednesday due to a weather forecast is still a head scratcher to me. High school teams sat at home and fields were empty, but every youth field in the Ohio Valley and beyond was filled with kids playing.

HAVING SAID that, I will applaud the Eastern District Board for revising the schedule for the Division III and IV district baseball tournaments to compensate for the lost day those teams had.

Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com

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