The South Dakota High School Athletic Association held its annual meeting yesterday, and several major topics were discussed at the event.
Recruitment was a key talking point during the meetings, as steps were taken to further outline what constitutes recruitment of a high school player, which is illegal under the SDHSAA. The current rule outlaws schools offering scholarships, free tuition, free bus transportation or free school lunch to try to recruit a student. The new wording would also prohibit school personnel or non-school individuals from offering jobs or housing to parents, residential relocation offers, promotional efforts, promises of playing time, financial aid to parents or students or any other benefit not authorized by SDHSAA guidelines.
The SDHSAA also held conversations about NIL deals for high school athletes. The committee tabled the discussions for the time being, but the proposed amendment would clarify the rules for student-athletes who seek to be paid for the use of their name, likeness, image or for a personal appearance. The SDHSAA currently outlaws all athletes from using their image or a personal appearance to promote a commercial or profit-making event. The association agreed to continue work on the subject in the future.
Another major talking point at the SDHSAA meeting centered around White River boys basketball, as they seek an apology for a scoring error that contributed to them falling short in the Class B 3rd place game last month.
In the game between White River and Aberdeen Christian, an Aberdeen player was mistakenly awarded a point on a missed free throw. The two teams would go into overtime with White River falling in the end, but without the scoring error, White River would’ve been up a point at the end of regulation.
White River Superintendent Louie Krogman led a group of administrators, coaches, players and fans to the board meeting stating that they were at the board meeting to get the association to “acknowledge the mistakes and not sugarcoat the truth. We just want proper acceptance that the mistakes occurred.” Multiple association members did apologize to the White River contingent. Board member Kelly Messmer said “It can’t happen again,” while SDHSAA Executive Director Dan Swartos stated “There may be reasons, but there are no excuses,” regarding the mistake, adding “I’m sorry that it happened to you. It shouldn’t have.”
Yankton high school softball returns to the field this afternoon as they travel to Rapid City for a meeting with the Cobblers of Rapid City Central. First pitch is set for 4 PM mountain/5 PM central.
Yankton Gazelles golf are set to open their season this morning, as they face off with Mitchell at Spring Creek Country Club. Tee time is currently scheduled for 9:00 AM
The Yankton High School track and field teams will host a “Little Bucks and Little Gazelles” track and field meet this evening at 6:00 PM. The meet is open to Yankton students in Kindergarten through 5th grade, with registration opening at 5:30.
Mount Marty Lancers baseball will be on the road tomorrow, as they square off with Northwestern College for a double header in Orange City, Iowa.
The Mount Marty Lancers Softball team look to extend their 4-game win streak tomorrow afternoon, as they’ll host Morningside. First pitch from Sertoma Park is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
Mount Marty men’s and women’s tennis will hit the court this afternoon, as the Lancers travel to Seward, Nebraska to face off with Concordia in men’s and women’s duels. First serve is set for 1:00 PM.
Mount Marty Men’s golf is set to compete in Niobrara, Nebraska on Friday and Saturday in the Jimmie Invitational, with day one of action beginning at 10:00 AM. MMU Women’s golf will also compete tomorrow and Saturday as they’ll take part in the Jamestown invitational in Jamestown, ND.
